Frieze along the station’s four walls.

River Spirits of the Anacostia, 2004
Martha Jackson-Jarvis
Glass Tesserae & stone mosaic
400' l x 4.5' h (52 mosaic panels)

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River Spirits of the Anacostia depicts the topographical meandering course of the Anacostia River. It reveals the beauty and magnetism of the river that has served the community as a central focus and ecological jewel for centuries. Before its decline into pollution and advancing sediment, the Anacostia River teamed with varieties of fish, plants, and wildlife.

River Spirits of the Anacostia pays homage to the resilient and forceful nature of the river to regenerate itself and marks our ongoing struggle to live in harmony with the treasures of our natural resources.

Topographic mapping of the river's course unifies all four walls depicting the fervor and energy of the Anacostia.

The east wall pays homage to the Nacotchtanke as keepers of the river. In ancient Native American lore, the tortoise is believed to support the earth and all its systems on its back. The tortoise serves as spirit guide along the Anacostia, on its back is and iron cosmogram of the four moments of the sun to mark the place where enslaved Africans were brought into port at Bladensburg along the Anacostia.

The mosaic charts the return of the River Spirits to the Anacostia as a boy and a great blue heron fish the river. A stylized image of a Native American "Wampum" which is a purple and white beaded strip that symbolizes an historical event of the people, and was used in trade. Here the wampum symbolizes trade and the power to live, prosper and make a living without destroying the resources of the river.

The north wall depicts native aquatic plants and captures the flight of the white egret.

The west and south walls champion the symbolic return of healthy living resources of the river. The Anacostia of the past flourished with an abundance of fishes such as American and hickory shad, white and yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, catfish, herring, alewife, darters, and striped bass. These species of fish are added to the mosaic as emblematic symbols of survival and hope for the future of the river. The return of fish and native aquatic plants to the Anacostia renews our faith and ability to impact the river positively with respect, care, and diligence to protect its natural resources. On the west wall floats a single osprey feather and illuminated water lilies.

River Spirits of the Anacostia champions the community people of Anacostia who love and advocate the survival of the Anacostia River as one of the nation's great treasures and natural resources.

Martha Jackson Jarvis grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and currently lives and works in Washington, D.C.  She has studied mosaic techniques and stone cutting in Ravenna, Italy.  Ms. Jarvis' sculptures have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the United States and abroad.

This project was made possible in part by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.