Sediment to Sky, 2023

Nadya “Bella” Steare @beastearey

Location: Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (650 Mason Ferry Ave, Woodbridge, VA)

Murals at Mason commissioned School of Art student, Nadya Steare, to design two murals that reflect the research focuses of faculty and students at the Potomac Science Center (PSC). The designs were printed on vinyl and adhered to the risers of the stairs and to an adjacent wall. The staircase mural focuses on each layer of the Potomac River Watershed from sediment to sky, highlighting native flora, fauna, and microorganisms. Climbing up the staircase evokes the sense of ascending from the riverbed while having close encounters with locally found species of fish, birds and mammals. The side wall mural is a scene depicting researchers and community members studying and enjoying nature at the Potomac Science Center.

The side wall mural focuses on the coexistence of people and wildlife. It depicts water birds such as the osprey and great blue heron, as well as researchers and equipment used for environmental science study. Together, both parts of the mural feature over twenty-five species of native macro and micro fauna, as well as several aquatic and terrestrial plants.

Fauna include: Aquatic Worms, Bald Eagle, Banded Killifish, Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Corbicula Clams, Double Crested Cormorant, Freshwater Mussels, Great Blue Heron, Green Frog, Largemouth Bass, Mallard Duck, Midge Fly Larvae, Osprey, Painted Turtle, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Raccoon, Silversides, White Perch, White Tailed Deer, Window Skimmer Dragonfly

Flora included: American White Water Lily, Coontail, Daphnia, Hydra, Pediastrum, Vorticella, Water Stargrass, Waterweed, Wild Celery

Thank you to our Sponsors and Collaborators

GMU Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact
Researchers at the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center
SciTech Executive Office