Arlington Unveils New Mural on Columbia Pike

The mural, titled Plant Yourself Beside the River, celebrates local diversity along the Columbia Pike corridor.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Painting

Arlington Unveils New Mural on Columbia Pike

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Arlington has officially unveiled a new public art installation on the west wall of the Goodwill located at 4714 Columbia Pike. Titled Plant Yourself Beside the River, the mural features images of three women from Cambodia, Bolivia, and Ethiopia.

Why it matters

The project serves as a strategic effort to enliven the Columbia Pike corridor and spotlight the area's local diversity. It reflects a broader push by the Arlington Public Art Program to integrate art into high-traffic urban spaces.

The mural, painted by artist Rowan Bathurst, occupies the west wall of the building at 4714 Columbia Pike. It features three women based on portrait photography by Lloyd Wolf.

The players

Rowan Bathurst

Rowan Bathurst is the mural artist responsible for the design and execution of the new public art piece.

Arlington Public Art Program

The Arlington Public Art Program is a local government-led initiative that oversees the curation and placement of art throughout the city.

Lloyd Wolf

Lloyd Wolf is a photographer whose portrait work provided the visual basis for the mural subjects.

Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners

Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners is the private commercial firm that owns the Goodwill property and provided project funding.

Columbia Pike Partnership

The Columbia Pike Partnership is a local organization that collaborates on urban development and beautification projects along the corridor.

The details

Organized by the Arlington Public Art Program and supported by the Columbia Pike Partnership, the piece is intended to foster community identity. The building itself is owned by Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners, who funded the installation.

The mural unveiling ceremony was held on October 24, 2026.

Culture Shift

This project aligns with the Arlington County Public Art Policy to transform commercial corridors into community-focused spaces. It follows a growing trend of using muralism to bridge gaps between urban renewal efforts and local neighborhood identity.

Residents and shoppers frequenting the 4714 Columbia Pike area can expect a more vibrant visual environment during their daily commutes. County Board members have signaled that this mural is the first of several planned projects intended to enhance the corridor.

The takeaway

Public art installations provide a low-cost way for communities to increase the visual appeal of commercial storefronts while honoring local demographics. Residents interested in future projects can monitor local government arts agendas to track upcoming installations in their neighborhood.