‘La Plata Loves Music’ mural hung outside of Island Music building
A mural representing La Plata’s love of music, art and youth now hangs at the heart of the town, in downtown La Plata.
Shannon Wang, owner of Shop 53 Tattoo and Art Studio, created a 44-feet wide by 7-feet tall mural to hang on the side of the Island Music Company building.
“It is quite a statement and a big deal to be the person behind the first big mural in the town, and I hope everyone will feel the excitement of the town in it,” Wang said. “The young people and the small businesses really want to make a change and make this town awesome.”
“I’m super proud of it,” said Keith Grasso, owner of Island Music. “I think it’s a great focal point for downtown and our community. It’s better than we ever imagined and wouldn’t have been possible without [Shannon].”
Grasso said he presented the mural’s concept to Wang a year ago with the tagline, “La Plata Loves Music.” The tagline is also a motto for his business which can be found written at the center of the mural.
“After two years I finally had a concept that seemed like it was going to work and be approved by the town so we started rendering a mock-up. I gave [Wang] complete creative control and I was blown away by how awesome it turned out,” Grasso said.
“Little did I know that so many years ago Keith and I would be teaming up to do something this massive. I am so thankful that he trusted me with his vision of bringing more art and music to
our community, which I wholeheartedly agree with, and that he fought to make happen. I know he and Jeanine James [mayoral candidate for the Town of La Plata] spent countless hours at town hall and I appreciate their efforts,” Wang said.
The mural was created on 11 painting boards with exterior house paint and a touch of acrylic paint. Wang said she was nervous about the mural fading and withstanding the weather. However after finishing the mural she is positive that the size, color and design will last for years.
“What an accomplishment to be able to do something like that — lay it all out and make it coordinate panel to panel,” said George Chisolm, Wang’s stepdad. “With this mural people will see La Plata as an attractive place to come and visit.”
Her mom Phyllis Chisolm said she was overwhelmed when she first saw her daughter’s “awesome” mural. She said Wang first expressed her artistic talent when she was just a young girl who enjoyed painting “little critters” on her bedroom door.
Wang went on to further pursue an art career through the Maryland College of Art and Design in Silver Spring. In 2016, she opened up Shop 53 Tattoo & Art Studio in La Plata with her partner Mona Wise.
Wise said Wang’s many months of stress and hard work really paid off. “I think it’s a really important part of La Plata being the first mural up in the town and hopefully it will lead to many more things related to art and music being brought to the town,” Wise said.
According to Wang, the mural represents the energy that Island Music Company, Shop 53 and all surrounding small businesses intend to keep putting out to make La Plata a destination town.
Betsy Burian, president and CEO of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce, said the mural is a perfect way to beautify the Town of La Plata. “It adds a pop of color to our county and La Plata in particular,” Burian said.
“This is another example of the spirit of Charles County,” County Commissioners’ President Peter Murphy (D) said. “It is really wonderful to see people and businesses coming together like this. They are recognizing music and it’s such a great effort. As you’re coming up Route 6 and you’re headed east, you think that’s a wonderful way to welcome people. The visual part of it creates an energy and it makes you want to stop in La Plata.”