Behold New Leaf a bronze marvel at the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro Station. This isn’t just any sculpture. It’s a testament to artistic vision and community spirit. Created by Lisa Scheer in 2006 it rests on a granite base a two-step platform. The sculpture is a large abstract form but it also strongly resembles a leaf. Scheer intended to evoke growth change and the passage of seasons.
New Leaf isn’t simply beautiful. It tells a story. A poem by E Ethelbert Miller is inscribed on the bronze. The poem reads every leaf surrenders to air we dance we flutter we touch the earth. These words perfectly capture the sculpture’s essence. Its organic flowing lines suggest movement and change.
The project involved the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities. WMATA donated it. Scheer’s work often incorporates interesting references. For New Leaf those references stemmed from the location itself. This is why the leaf motif fits so well into the Petworth neighborhood.
Lisa Scheer a Maryland and Washington DC resident created this masterpiece. She earned a BA from Bennington College and an MFA in sculpture from Yale University. Her work is widely known for its large-scale abstract sculptures. These sculptures are often made of metal and fabricated sheet metal.
Ethelbert Miller a prominent writer and literary activist added another layer to New Leaf. Miller’s poems were chosen for sculpture installations in multiple DC Metro stations. He founded the Humanities Council of Washington DC and was inducted into the Washington DC Hall of Fame. His contribution to New Leaf demonstrates the synergy between art and literature.
New Leaf’s presence enhances the Petworth Metro Station. It invites contemplation and reflects the neighborhood’s vibrancy. This piece stands as a symbol of artistic collaboration community engagement and the enduring power of art in public spaces. It’s more than just a sculpture it is a living testament to the spirit of Washington DC.