Alison Sheppard, dean of students at Marguerite Christian Elementary in Chesterfield County, collected waves and high-fives on Monday as students paraded by for a glimpse of the newly unveiled Hamilton Glass mural.
Dean of Students Alison Sheppard collects waves and high-fives as students parade by for a first glimpse of a newly unveiled Hamilton Glass mural at Marguerite Christian Elementary in South Chesterfield on Monday, March 28, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Marietha Friend Chapman (left) and Kimberly Friend Smith admire a new biography and refurbished portrait of Marguerite F. Christian, their relative and the longtime educator for whom the school is named.
(From left) Kimberly Friend Smith and Marietha Friend Chapman admire a new biography and refurbished portrait of Marguerite F. Christian, their relative and the longtime educator for whom the school is named, at Marguerite Christian Elementary in South Chesterfield on Monday, March 28, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
(From left) Kindergartener Journey Ealy poses with Kimberly Friend Smith near a new biography and refurbished portrait of Marguerite F. Christian, Smith’s relative and the longtime educator for whom the school is named, at Marguerite Christian Elementary in South Chesterfield on Monday, March 28, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
There was a ribbon cutting on Monday for a new book vending machine at Marguerite Christian Elementary in Chesterfield County.
For the first time on Monday morning, Marguerite Christian Elementary students saw the finished project of a mural that reflects their school’s diversity.
Located in the main lobby, the mural by Richmond artist Hamilton Glass features school colors, a lion and outstretched hands.
“We were so excited to share it with our community and our students,” said Marguerite Christian principal Rovez Ingram. “Our mural represents our collaboration as a staff as well as our diversity as it pertains to our students and staff populations.”
Marguerite Christian is a majority-minority school in Chesterfield County. According to state education data from the fall of 2020, 47.6% of students were Black, 29.7% were white, 14.3% were Hispanic, 5.9% were of multiple races, 2.2% were Asian and 0.3% were American Indian.
Glass, whose work can be seen on buildings across Richmond, designed the mural to reflect the school’s diversity, according to the school division.
The elementary school is “home of the Lions,” and Ingram said, “a group of lions is considered a pride and there’s power in pride. Our pride is made up of our teachers, of our students, of our community [and] of all of our stakeholders.”
Monday’s unveiling represented the end of two years of work, Ingram said.
In February, The New York Times featured Glass’ public art project, Mending Walls RVA, as a reason to visit Richmond during Black History Month. Mending Walls brings artists from different backgrounds and cultures together to create murals around the city.
To pay for the Marguerite Christian mural, donations were collected from families, staff members, businesses and community groups.
Also on Monday, a refurbished portrait of the school’s namesake and longtime educator, Marguerite F. Christian, was unveiled, and a ribbon cutting was held for a new book vending machine.
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Alison Sheppard, dean of students at Marguerite Christian Elementary in Chesterfield County, collected waves and high-fives on Monday as students paraded by for a glimpse of the newly unveiled Hamilton Glass mural.
Dean of Students Alison Sheppard collects waves and high-fives as students parade by for a first glimpse of a newly unveiled Hamilton Glass mural at Marguerite Christian Elementary in South Chesterfield on Monday, March 28, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Marietha Friend Chapman (left) and Kimberly Friend Smith admire a new biography and refurbished portrait of Marguerite F. Christian, their relative and the longtime educator for whom the school is named.
(From left) Kimberly Friend Smith and Marietha Friend Chapman admire a new biography and refurbished portrait of Marguerite F. Christian, their relative and the longtime educator for whom the school is named, at Marguerite Christian Elementary in South Chesterfield on Monday, March 28, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
(From left) Kindergartener Journey Ealy poses with Kimberly Friend Smith near a new biography and refurbished portrait of Marguerite F. Christian, Smith’s relative and the longtime educator for whom the school is named, at Marguerite Christian Elementary in South Chesterfield on Monday, March 28, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
There was a ribbon cutting on Monday for a new book vending machine at Marguerite Christian Elementary in Chesterfield County.
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