Rising Relics

Location

Gulf Branch Nature Center
3608 N. Military Road, Arlington, VA 22207

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Artwork Details

Artist: Molly Ross
Date: 2002-2023

Rising Relics by Molly Ross and teen artists offers a “gateway” to Gulf Branch Nature Center and the Potomac River Trail. Five mosaic pillars echo the forms of the surrounding trees and suggest a group of people entering the trail. By using river stones from the surrounding area, the artists have created a work that is in harmony with the nearby stream as well as with the stonework of the adjacent nature center. The artwork materials include poured concrete and native stone mosaics, blue granite, pink granite, quartz, gravel, river rocks and a steel framework.

The pillars, created through offset stacking of cylindrical columns, are situated alongside a mosaic pathway which marks the head of the trail. Imagery on the pillars include salamanders, fireflies, and skyscrapers. These images refer to both the natural and built environment, recognize the importance of Arlington’s parks, and acknowledge the County’s location within a major metropolitan area.

Rising Relics was created through Artswork, a program that employed youth in the arts. Deborah Schoelwer, Tristan Benjamin, Justin Duval, Katherine Mekeown-Funk, Dina Rodriguez, and Eric Treadway assisted in the creation of the artwork.