In October of 2021, Gabriel Pons worked with Widewater Elementary School Art Instructor Courtney Hupman to create a 34-foot long mural in the school cafeteria. The concept was to create a panoramic view of the convergence of Aquia Creek and the Potomac River while layering historic and cultural figures as a means to celebrate the Widewater Region. The mural, titled “Sunrise at the Water’s Edge” was made possible through a grant from the Stafford County Museum and is just one of many murals executed in the county schools focusing on history and culture. The artwork also acts as a two-dimensional diorama, featuring insight to the people that make Stafford County so unique historically. See the key below.
ReFuel Mural Installation
Gabriel Pons created a 16-foot long mural installation for ReFuel Nutrition and Energy (328 Patriot Highway, Fredericksburg, VA) in the summer of 2021. The business wanted a fresh re-branding of their energy drink business and asked Pons to refresh the look and feel of their logo. His concept was to make the typography emulate the sensory joy of their drinks - bright, refreshing, and inevitably fluid.
"Heart for Art" Mural Project at Hugh Mercer Elementary
Community is Everything
Late last year, I met a young woman with a passion for art and plenty of positive personality to bring to the table. Since then, I have worked with Sophia in various virtual art classes and this summer we’re embarking on our most ambitious creative endeavor to date.
Help us achieve something monumental as we celebrate creativity through this young artist’s eyes. Fredericksburg teen Sophia Pineda and the Jayem Pals have teamed up with artist Gabriel Pons to paint a 750-square foot mural at Hugh Mercer Elementary. Follow their progress, support the effort and see what great things can happen when an inspired idea becomes a reality with the help of the Fredericksburg community.
Jayem Pals is a social club that provides students with and without disabilities to be involved in school activities and to form friendships. Click Here to donate to Jayem Pals.
Josh Lawrence Salon Mural
February 2021 was a tough month. It seemed like every week was a sleet or snow storm and temps rarely got above 40 degrees. Fortunately, I was pleasantly distracted working on this mural at Josh Lawrence Salon.
This is the first of two murals in their Fredericksburg salon. The owners, Josh and Lawrence, were fans of PONSHOP through the years and gave me carte blanche on the artwork. My concept for their space is to explore the materiality of hair: color, form, and texture. This first mural, located in the front room, was inspired by a lock of hair that Scarlett sent to me back in the fall of 1995 when I was in Europe doing a semester abroad. If you take a look at the Josh Lawrence Instagram, you’ll see that they are masters of the cut and color and I’ve seen it myself! They have the ability to transform their clients and by the time they’re finished, clients can’t stop looking in the mirror.
Shout out to Josh and Lawrence for being so patient and accommodating throughout my late night painting sessions . I’m looking forward to the next mural!
Sweat FXBG Murals
September 2020 kicked off a series of mural projects that kept us busy until April 2021. Sweat FXBG is boutique fitness venue in Fredericksburg and since opening in November 2020, they’ve been whipping their members into tip-top shape. Gabe initiated the lobby artwork to set the stage for the aesthetic that would be implemented in murals for the HIIT Sixty Room, and Cycle Room. Below are pics and videos from the project. Thanks to Sweat FXBG owners Robin and Carrick and Emily of Ply Interiors for their faith in my art direction from the get go.
