The newest piece of public art on the Route 1 corridor celebrates the late artist David Driskell.

In anticipation of an official renaming ceremony, in recent weeks volunteers have been painting the mural directly onto the asphalt road leading into Driskell Park, which was renamed for the late Hyattsville resident last year.

The multi-colored mural was designed by the nonprofit Neighborhood Design Center, drawing on inspiration from Driskell’s own work. The colorful signs installed earlier at the park entrance were also inspired by a Driskell painting of pine trees.

The renaming ceremony, originally scheduled for last weekend, was postponed to the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 8.

Beginning at 2 p.m., the park will host family art activities such as glass bottle trees, tying ribbons on a wishing tree, weaving a community tapestry, a community chalkboard and other kids’ art activities.

The city renamed the former Magruder Park in 2021 due to racist restrictions placed on the land when it was donated to the city. The new name honors Driskell, an artist who lived nearby who died of the coronavirus in 2020.

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