Mason Community Arts Academy is the community arts education unit of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Academy offers classes, lessons, and workshops in all of the arts disciplines to the community at large.
“Most people know us through our award winning Summer Arts Camps that we bring every summer to the Mason Fairfax Campus,” said Matt Geske, MCAA Operations Manager, “where a total of 1,500+ K-12 students fill the College’s arts classroom and performance spaces with activity, creativity, and fun.”
However, somewhat removed from that limelight is the official Mason Community Arts Academy building, housing small classroom and lesson room spaces and administrative offices, located less than a mile from the George Mason Fairfax campus at 4260 Chain Bridge Road. Year-round arts classes and lessons take place in the building, averaging 400+ visitors weekly during Fall and Spring.
“We are so grateful to be able to use this building, owned by the GMU Foundation, to provide quality and accessible arts education activities to the local community,” continued Geske. “That being said, it is an aging building, which comes with the usual wear and tear over time.”
One of those wear and tear elements referred to was the state of the landscaping adjacent to the Academy building. Existing vegetation had become unwieldly and unhealthy, and some plants had even died out all together, leaving a rather forlorn scenic view. While this state of affairs began posing an aesthetic challenge, at the same time it had another more subtle effect.
“For half of the year, in the warmer months, the afternoon sun can be quite merciless, heating up the two-story building to the point where the AC needs to run constantly to try and keep up,” stated Geske. He went on to explain that the declining landscape vegetation only worsened the situation, as much-needed shade from the foliage began disappearing. But funding for new landscaping posed a challenge for the non-profit organization.
Noting an intersection between landscape aesthetic beautification and energy cost savings, Geske began seeing potential for a Patriot Green Fund supported project, having been awarded a PFG grant several years prior for a musical instrument recycling program, Instruments in the Attic. In November of last year, after a discussion with MCAA Executive Director Mary Lechter and CVPA’s Facilities Manager Tyler Conway, Geske sent in a project proposal to the PGF, with PGF staff quickly responding favorably to pursue a full application.
Forming a collaborative team between himself, Mary Lechter, Tyler Conway, and George Mason Grounds Manager Erich Miller, Matt was able to construct and submit a full grant application in February, which consequently brought in PGF staff members who assisted with assessment and guidance. Erich Miller and his team were essential to planning the landscape design and plant elements and providing mock-ups.
Happily, the PGF Committee approved a grant award for half of the cost of the project. Mary Lechter then approved funds to cover the other half from a separate private foundation grant award received earlier in the year. With the project being greenlit (pun intended), the team moved into full action in March, as plans were confirmed and Miller’s final landscape design was approved. Being familiar with the Patriot Green Fund’s process of expense reimbursement, Miller and Conway were able to navigate the heavy-lifting accounting aspect, while Geske coordinated with Miller and his crew on the work schedule and other on-site elements of the project.
Regarding the final landscape design, it is important to note that Miller, knowing the full spirit of the project, was very intentional in selecting specific plant species native to northern Virginia, that were categorized as “drought resistant” so as not require excessive watering, that provided bloom and/or leaf color interest year round, and through standard species height and spread would maximize shade coverage of the building without compromising structural concerns.
Finally, during a week in the beginning of April, Miller and his landscaping team arrived on the scene at the Academy building and began the process of clearing existing vegetation and debris, installing the new plant elements, mulching, and watering. A few inspections would follow the next week, concluding with a discussion between Miller and Geske on the maintenance plan going forward. This plan involved a collaborative effort between the grounds team and Geske to ensure plant health was monitored effectively and watering occurred as needed. Furthermore, the long term maintenance would be folded into the larger George Mason grounds plan.
Geske put a finishing touch on the project by placing yard signs amongst the landscaping acknowledging the support of the Patriot Green Fund and George Mason’s University Sustainability. “PGF’s support was pivotal in allowing this project to move forward,” commented Geske, “and just like its support of our musical instrument recycling program several years back, the impact will be felt (and seen!) for many years to come.”
Although it will take a few years to be able to evaluate the resulting energy cost savings to the building, as it will take some time for the vegetation to grow and fill out, the aesthetic improvement has seen immediate response. Academy staff, faculty, students, and visitors were quick to provide positive and excited feedback to the Main Office of the improvements, and a real sense of rejuvenation has been felt. Furthermore, with university student townhomes located directly behind the Academy building, the George Mason students living there have enjoyed walking past the new landscaping on their way to campus.
Edited by Regina Schneider
