# Event Details - **Event Name**: AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 27 Feb, 2026 at 06:30 pm – Fri, 27 Feb, 2026 at 08:30 pm - **Event Description**: AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” Edmonston, MD - The Town of Edmonston, in collaboration with Operation ARTS Foundation Inc., is pleased to announce the unveiling of a new African American Heritage Augmented Reality (AR) mural, “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston.” This innovative public art installation reflects a collaborative effort between the Town of Edmonston and Operation ARTS Foundation Inc. Blending traditional mural painting with new accessible Augmented Reality Technology, the installation offers an interactive experience that explores African American history, culture, and local legacy. Visitors can use their smartphones to engage with animated visual elements that deepen the storytelling embedded within the artwork, highlighting historical themes, cultural symbols, and individuals who shaped history as well as the region. A public unveiling event will take place on February 27th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the mural site, 5112 Buchanan Street. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, demonstrations, vendors, a scavenger hunt with prizes, photo opportunities, and a chance to meet the artists! The demo is designed to encourage exploration of the mural’s visual elements, historic icons, and the storytelling AR features through hidden animation. The free event is open to all residents, families, and visitors of all ages. The first 25 participants in the scavenger hunt will win a free t-shirt and other exciting door prizes. Light refreshments will also be provided. This installation represents Edmonston’s continued commitment to supporting public art, honoring African American heritage, and creating shared spaces for learning and community connection. In 2022, Operation Arts won a planning grant for Public Arts Across Maryland from the Maryland State Arts Council for a storytelling mural collaboration to portray African American history in the Town of Edmonston, Maryland. We put out a public call for artists for a Maryland Cultural History Interactive Mural Contest. 6 Artists went to semi finals and were awarded a stipend to draft a design for the mural and video collaboration. We selected Malandela Zulu to paint the mural and Kaitlin Gatewood to animate the mural. Funding for the $30k mural project was provided by The MD Housing and Community Development (MDHCD) from their Community Legacy program in 2025. This interactive mural structure was fabricated and installed by Jordan Sanders of JHS Fabrication + (and) Arts Service. Through collaboration, we preserved history in art in the Town of Edmonston for years to come. Event Page: bit.ly/rootsofedmonston Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/events/s/ar-mural-unveiling-of-the-afri/1171609541721082/ About:  Town of Edmonston: The government of the Town of Edmonston is committed to providing all of the necessary services at the highest level to our residents, businesses, and visitors, ensuring a premium quality of life is maintained. This will be achieved by exercising fiduciary prudence, maintaining open lines of communication, providing a safe and clean environment for all persons, and planning for the future with the support and cooperation of our community. This endeavor will be accomplished without regard to race, color, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, religion or belief, political affiliation, opinion, or disability. https://edmonstonmd.gov/  Operation ARTS Foundation Inc: “Alliance for Responsible Trade and Sustainability" Our mission is to develop the creative economy. Our organization encourages better business practices & economic growth for all. We lay the foundation for profitable, collaborative relationships between artists, businesses & the community by streamlining opportunities. We create financial stability for artists by providing them with the resources to help them succeed. www.operationarts.com  Zulu Soul Malandela Zulu is a Maryland-based visual artist whose work centers on African American history, cultural identity, and lived experience. His artistic practice draws from heritage, symbolism, and contemporary realities to create pieces that are both visually striking and historically grounded. Much of his work exists in public and community-facing spaces, where it serves as a platform for storytelling, reflection, and representation. Through murals and collaborative projects, Zulu Soul emphasizes accessibility, cultural continuity, and the importance of preserving narratives that shape collective memory. https://www.instagram.com/zulu_soul/  Kaitlyn Gatewood Kaitlyn Gatewood is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work spans illustration, painting, and animation. Working across media including oils, acrylics, and digital tools, her practice explores narrative, texture, and emotion through both traditional and contemporary techniques. Kaitlyn approaches each project with flexibility and intention, adapting her medium to best support the story being told. Her collaborative work in public art settings reflects a commitment to thoughtful execution, visual cohesion, and expanding how audiences experience art in shared spaces. https://www.behance.net/Boschiotti  Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development: Community Legacy Program: The Maryland Housing and Community Development Community Legacy program provides funding and technical assistance to revitalize declining communities across the state. It supports neighborhood-strengthening projects such as business retention, homeownership, and commercial revitalization by partnering with local governments and community development organizations to invest in areas poised for future growth and vibrancy. https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/programs/CL.aspx  Maryland State Arts Council Founded in 1967, The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) is an agency of the State of Maryland's Department of Commerce that plays an essential role, ensuring every person has access to the transformative power of the arts. MSAC advances the arts in our state by providing leadership that champions creative expression, diverse programming, equitable access, lifelong learning, and the arts as a celebrated contributor to the quality of life for all the people of Maryland. https://www.msac.org/  JHS Fabrication + Arts Service JHS Fabrication + Arts Service is led by Jordan Hamlett Sanders, a visual artist and designer living and working in the Washington, D.C. area. The JHS Fabrication Studio specializes in custom metal fabrication and woodworking, offering tailored solutions that blend craftsmanship, functionality, and artistic vision. https://www.jordanhamlettsanders.com/ - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/hyattsville/ar-mural-unveiling-of-the-african-presence-roots-of-edmonston/200029641031104 - **Event Categories**: art, storytelling, fine-arts, contests, sports, it - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 15 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Hyattsville - **state**: MD - **country**: United States - **location**: 5112 Buchanan Street - **lat**: 38.94604 - **long**: -76.93243 - **full address**: 5112 Buchanan Street, 5112 Buchanan St, Hyattsville, MD 20781-2438, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/db9c15a819dc13592bd9f6fb78eb8ecc9e3f4184d6318e0199f0d3d5948bbf1d-rimg-w1200-h1553-dc1a5a05-gmir?v=1772161942 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” being held? - **A:** AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” takes place on Fri, 27 Feb, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Fri, 27 Feb, 2026 at 08:30 pm at 5112 Buchanan Street, 5112 Buchanan St, Hyattsville, MD 20781-2438, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston”? - **A:** AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” is organized by Operation ARTS Foundation inc. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” is ideal for art lovers, trade professionals, collectors, and exhibition enthusiasts exploring the latest in their field. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Hyattsville, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston” sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston”", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/db9c15a819dc13592bd9f6fb78eb8ecc9e3f4184d6318e0199f0d3d5948bbf1d-rimg-w1200-h1553-dc1a5a05-gmir?v=1772161942", "startDate": "2026-02-27", "endDate": "2026-02-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/hyattsville/ar-mural-unveiling-of-the-african-presence-roots-of-edmonston/200029641031104", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "5112 Buchanan Street", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "5112 Buchanan St, Hyattsville, MD 20781-2438, United States", "addressLocality": "Hyattsville", "addressRegion": "MD", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "38.94604", "longitude": "-76.93243" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "AR Mural Unveiling of “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonston”\n\nEdmonston, MD - The Town of Edmonston, in collaboration with Operation ARTS Foundation Inc., is pleased to announce the unveiling of a new African American Heritage Augmented Reality (AR) mural, “The African Presence: Roots Of Edmonst", "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Operation ARTS Foundation inc", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/operation-arts-foundation-inc/14947320", "description": "Operation ARTS encourages better business practices & economic growth for all. 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