Work On Vienna Mural To Get Underway In November

VIENNA, VA—Work is about to get underway for a new mural on the back of the Vienna Shopping Center, 180 Maple Avenue West. Artists Eleanor Doughty, a Seattle resident originally from Vienna, and Emily Herr of Richmond were chosen earlier this year by the Vienna Public Art Commission to pain the mural. They expect to begin work Monday, Nov. 5. It could be completed in two weeks, depending on weather.

The colorful mural will be about 200 feet long and features the landscape of Vienna, as well as landmarks in Vienna and the local area. "I was trying to figure out a way to join everything together and settled on using the W&OD trail that goes through Town. It provides a great centerpiece for the Town," said Doughty.

Students from James Madison High School will volunteer to help the artists with painting on Nov. 9-11 from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Students interested in helping can contact Doughty at info@edoughty.com. Students can volunteer for any number of hours.

Work will begin with color blocking the walls before the artists can proceed with mural details. "The first part is the most exciting because that’s where the changes happen the fastest," said Herr. "The middle part moves a lot slower as we get into the detail."

Herr and Doughty have worked on two other murals together. Doughty nearly didn't submit the Vienna mural proposal due to a number of rejected proposals. "My mom encouraged me to just do it anyway," said Doughty. "I’m glad that I did. It’s awesome to be able to leave a big mark on the Town that I grew up in."

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Rappaport, the shopping center owners, are funding the mural. "We love the brightness and color that it’s going to add to the shopping center," said Tiffany Jones, marketing representative for the Vienna Shopping Center. "Vienna Shopping Center is proud to be a vital part of Vienna, and we wanted to celebrate the community in a really fun way.”

Once it's complete, residents can see the colorful artwork behind the shopping center from Cottage Street.

Rendering of Herr and Doughty's mural provided by Town of Vienna