April 15, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Nick Massella
202-994-3087, massella@gwu.edu

FOGGY BOTTOM RESIDENTS AND GW STUDENTS JOIN FOR ANNUAL FRIENDS SPRING BBQ
APRIL 28, 2009

F Street Mural to be Unveiled

EVENT: 

The annual FRIENDS Spring BBQ brings together members of the Foggy Bottom and GW communities for a festive spring gathering. Each year, District officials join Bernard Demczuk, assistant vice president for District relations, as honorary grill masters to help prepare food for nearly 100 Foggy Bottom/West End neighbors. A mural highlighting Foggy Bottom's history and progress will be unveiled. The mural is dedicated to the Foggy Bottom community and for their contributions throughout history.

WHEN: 

Tuesday, April 28, 2009; 6 - 8pm

WHERE: 

The George Washington University
Anniversary Park
F Street between 21st and 22nd Streets, NW, Washington, D.C.
Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro (Orange and Blue Lines)

COST:  

This event is free and open to members of the Foggy Bottom and GW communities. Media are welcome and should RSVP to Nick Massella at 202-994-3087 or massella@gwu.edu.

BACKGROUND:

A year after the plans for a beautification project were presented to the University's neighbors, members of the community will celebrate the unveiling of a new mural at the annual barbecue. The mural was created by Calder Brannock, B.A. '07. Jeremy Sapriel and Nicole Capp, current GW students, have been actively engaged in the development of the mural.

The mural is divided into five different sections. In the top left panel, Luther Rice celebrates as President James Monroe signs the charter creating what is now The George Washington University. The top right panel celebrates Foggy Bottom's contributions to science and industry. The bottom left panel highlights the Heurich Brewery, located in Foggy Bottom until 1954, whose innovations include malt liquor and pasteurization of beer. The bottom right panel shows the gas works that supplied much of D.C. with power and the faces that recall the community that built the first African-American churches and schools in the District. The top gable shows the ongoing construction that continues to shape the Foggy Bottom landscape.

FRIENDS is a community group started at the request of local residents to promote positive dialogue between GW and its neighbors. The group facilitates mutual understanding through open public meetings held the first Tuesday of each month. FRIENDS is dedicated to building stronger, positive relationships through communication, cooperation and collaboration.

For images of the mural, visit www.calderbrannock.com/?p=22.

For more information about GW's Office of Community Relations and FRIENDS, visit www.neighborhood.gwu.edu.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit www.gwnewscenter.org.

- GW -