Barbara Januszkiewicz plexiglass artwork (see image below of Januszkiewicz painting Coming Together mural) has the power to connect, inspire, and transform neighborhoods. Nowhere is this more vivid than in Arlington, VA, where Barbara Januszkiewicz’s “Coming Together” mural has evolved from a local landmark to a symbol of creative innovation—and is now celebrated in a dynamic new gallery setting.
A Local Landmark Reimagined
On the east side of El Pollo Rico (932 N. Kenmore St, facing Wilson St), Januszkiewicz’s magnificent mural welcomes all with sweeping bands of color that echo Arlington’s diversity, vibrancy, and community pride. What began as a bold effort to revitalize a neglected pedestrian walkway has become an enduring emblem of togetherness for the neighborhood.
But the story does not end at the mural’s surface. Januszkiewicz has reinterpreted the energy and spirit of “Coming Together” through new fine art works—“Through Refraction” and “Reframe in Color”—now on view as part of the group exhibition Re:Vision & Re:Frame at George Mason University’s Founders Gallery, Mason Square Campus.
Art, Innovation, and Collaboration
This exhibition is not just a showcase, but a creative collaboration led by Mason Exhibitions Arlington and the Arlington Artists Alliance. Their partnership brings together nine artists to explore the theme of reframing: how can community, creativity, and innovation intersect in transformative ways? The gallery doesn’t just hang art—it leads visitors directly into the newly developed innovation hub Fuse at Mason Square, linking artistic vision with research, learning, and entrepreneurship.
Fuse serves as both backdrop and inspiration for the show. Its mission: to foster new ideas through cross-disciplinary learning. The very theme of the exhibition is drawn from this spirit of openness and exchange, encouraging artists and viewers alike to see their community through a new lens.
The Ongoing Journey
Januszkiewicz’s new plexiglass artwork captures the mural’s momentum—layers of transparent color dance and overlap, echoing the diversity and unity at the mural’s heart. By reframing her public art as gallery sculpture, she invites audiences to reflect on the changing face of Arlington and the shared potential of creative community.
“Coming Together was about making something beautiful and welcoming from overlooked space,” Januszkiewicz says. “Now, through this collaboration and new work, we’re exploring how those ideas carry forward—inside our galleries, across our creative spaces, and into our shared future.”
See It for Yourself
Re:Vision & Re:Frame runs through September 19, 2025 at:
Founders Gallery, Van Metre Hall, Mason Square Campus, Arlington, VA (right beside Fuse)
Original mural location: El Pollo Rico, 932 N. Kenmore St, Arlington, VA 22201 (east side, facing Wilson St)
For a behind-the-scenes look at mural-making, watch: The Making of “Coming Together” mural – Vimeo.
This collaborative exhibit is a unique opportunity to experience the evolution of public art—and the creative leadership of Mason Exhibitions Arlington and Arlington Artists Alliance—at the intersection where art and innovation shape the community’s future.
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