Bethesda Metro Center mural to be dedicated October 13 (Photos)

Here you can see the results of weeks of work by artist Juan Pineda, who has created the new mural above the bus bay at the Bethesda Metro Center entitled "Beth-Stela." Part of the ongoing Paint the Town initiative, this mural was co-sponsored by Bethesda Urban Partnership, development firm Brookfield, and Arts Brookfield.

Pineda was chosen from 30 applicants from around the D.C. Metro area, and brings a fusion of Mayan hieroglyphics and high-tech shapes to this piece. If you look at his murals at Waterfront Station and in Petworth, you'll see he has a recognizable and distinctive style. For this work, Pineda first drew the shapes, and then painstakingly painted the bright colors within the lines.

In addition to being part of Bethesda UP's effort to bring more murals to downtown Bethesda, this project is also part of Brookfield's overall plan to upgrade the Metro plaza and bus bay areas to make them more inviting. Those plans have met resistance from rival Clark Enterprises, but the development rights to the plaza currently belong to Brookfield.

The finished mural will be officially dedicated in a ceremony on October 13 at 3 Bethesda Metro Center, at 10:30 AM.