LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — St. Mary’s County Arts Council’s latest mural project in Lexington Park has been a community effort from the beginning. The mural is tentatively set to be unveiled in late September, after several months of planning and community meetings. In August, Rosalia Torres-Weiner of Red Calaca Studios was selected to paint the mural.
This public art piece will be located next to El Rinconcito Mexican Restaurant’s outdoor seating area at Pax River Village Center, formerly known as Millison Plaza, creating a welcoming and accessible space. The mural project was made possible through funding from Atlantic Realty Companies.
According to the Arts Council’s website, they are striving for visibility, inclusivity and pride within the community. With this project, the Arts Council hopes to celebrate the Spanish-speaking community in Lexington Park and honor their resilience, heritage and contributions to the community.
“This mural is more than just a work of art — it is a platform for amplifying the voices, stories and contributions of the area’s Spanish-speaking community,” according to the Arts Council’s website.
The Arts Council conducted a survey and held a public meeting with Torres-Weiner at the mural’s location and invited the public to provide feedback and ideas to make it a true community effort.
Involving the community makes the project truly inclusive and can better capture the way the community tells its own story. Torres-Weiner is deeply aware of the responsibility of creating this mural for those who shared their stories and hopes to use the opportunity to empower others.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected to create this mural in Lexington Park. During my visit to Maryland, I listened to the voices of young people who proudly shared the sacrifices and hard work of their parents in construction, landscaping, service, painting and other essential industries. They told me how these efforts are paving the way for them to become doctors, lawyers and professionals who will strengthen the local economy,” Torres-Weiner wrote in an emailed statement. She was especially moved by her experiences gathering community input last month.
“My connection to Lexington Park is through these stories — they reflect the same immigrant journey I have witnessed and lived myself. This mural is a celebration of that journey, honoring the roots of the Latino community while lifting up the dreams of the next generation. My hope is that the work not only beautifies the space, but also inspires pride, belonging and recognition of the Spanish-speaking community’s contributions to St. Mary’s County. As the mural says, ‘My great strength is knowing who I am and where I come from.’ — Oscar de la Renta.”
The St. Mary’s Arts Council will announce the ribbon-cutting date when they have more updates and encourage Lexington Park residents to sign up for their newsletter to track the project.
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Why the continuous divisiveness focusing on one specific group? Why not paint an Americana type mural that represents this Nation? This is a slap in the face to every American and the Navy base that provides thousands of jobs in Lexington Park and the County. Located next to a restaurant that benefits directly from personnel working on base. Disgusting.
We are the land of ⁰Freedom,, people think that they come here and do what they want. And I love their food,, But I love American food most.
Stop this before it gets out of hand like b l m did. Stop favoring one ethnicity over others! Next thing you know we’ll have 20 new holidays here.
Yep, that’s what we were missing… I knew it was something, but couldn’t figure it out.