Resoborg’s mural, named ‘Sonner’s Sonnet’, is a depiction of one of the potters that used to live in the town in the 1800’s which at one stage was known as “Pot Town” because of the large cottage ceramics industry. Antique stores are plentiful in this town where pots from this era can easily be found. As glassware replaced this industry, potters as a last resort began to offer unglazed pots for the buyer to customize. Often pale in colour in comparison to the darker shades of dirty green and red, these unglazed pots were an inspiration for the mural which is an abstracted portrait of John Henry Sonner, a local potter. The unglazed pot in his hands acts as a metaphor for the town and its potential as a canvas yet to be customized. It is also a celebration of localism and the independent craftsman; celebrating the power of individuals to shape their own future. Coming from South Africa and facing challenges such as crime and high unemployment, Resoborg experienced the town as close knit, friendly and relatively safe - an almost utopian existence from an outsider’s perspective. Like any town, however, it faces its own challenges with many youth leaving the town for bigger cities in search of work opportunities. Resoborg’s hope is that the mural inspires the youth and the local community to dream big and shape the town as a potter would with his art. The pot also features the “Seven Bends” which is the famous Shenandoah river that runs through the town and surrounding area. The uniquely shaped river, which curves seven times, was sculpted by a series of geological processes spanning hundreds of millions of years. This shape on the pot in the mural represents determinism and patience for locals to hold true in overcoming adversity and creating an impactful existence in their town and community. For more information on Resoborg: http://www.resoborg.com