This mural celebrates the diverse communities that come together at the William Ramsay Recreation Center, drawing inspiration from traditions around the world. A continuous wave, or through-line, of purple, orange, and yellow flows throughout the lobby, connecting circles featuring culturally inspired patterns and symbolizing the interconnectedness of our shared human experience. The patterns draw inspiration from Ethiopian Habesha baskets, Afghan dress bodices, Guatemalan Aguayo fabric, and African Ankara (wax print). Where the textile patterns overlap the through-line, they transform into silhouettes, subtly reflecting how each of us is shaped by our heritage.

¡Baila con el Alma!, meaning “Dance with your soul,” celebrates the joy, freedom, and rhythm of movement. Wrapping around the dance floor and entryway, the mural brings together flamenco, breakdancing, basketball, and ballet alongside the rubab of Afghanistan and the marimba of Guatemala. Flowing lines inspired by sheet music connect these traditions and features, creating a sense of movement and rhythm throughout the space. Together, the artwork celebrates music, dance, and movement as shared forms of recreation and performance, as well as expressions of cultural and personal freedom.

The lobby mural is centered around the theme “Friends from All Places.” Ramsay serves people from many different cultures, backgrounds, generations, and experiences, and I wanted the artwork to celebrate both our differences and what connects us. A continuous line begins near the front entrance and travels throughout the lobby, weaving through patterns inspired by textile traditions from around the world. The line represents our shared human existence, while the changing patterns reference the fabrics, clothing, weaving, beadwork, and textile traditions that can carry stories of culture, family, place, and identity. Although each pattern is different, they are all connected by the same line.

The dance studio mural has a different energy. Its theme, “Dance with Your Soul | Baila con el alma,” celebrates movement, music, joy, and the freedom of expressing yourself through your body. I wanted to capture that feeling of dancing like no one is watching, when you become completely absorbed in the music and movement and allow yourself to move freely. The two murals feel distinct while still belonging to the same recreation center: one explores the connections we share with one another, while the other celebrates the joy, energy, and individuality we bring into a shared space.

The community collaborative artwork is a way for the community to directly participate in the mural-making process. The City of Alexandria asked that the two new murals at Ramsay center around the theme “Friends from All Places.” In the lobby mural, a continuous line wraps around the space beginning at the front entrance, symbolizing our shared human existence.

The collaborative artwork extends onto a wall that I am unable to paint. It not only allows the lobby mural to continue visually, but also carries forward the idea of shared humanity by creating a place for community members to represent themselves within the artwork.

The piece contains 656 circles, and participants can choose a circle to draw a mini self-portrait and add their name, nickname, or initials underneath. Over time, the wall will become a collective portrait of the people who make up the Ramsay community.

No art experience is needed. That is important to me. Community art activities should feel accessible to someone who considers themselves an artist and to someone who hasn't made art since elementary school. The goal isn't perfection. It's participation and seeing how hundreds of individual contributions can come together to create something none of us would have made alone.