Release
Painted by Christy Baker in 2024
Medium: Acrylic enamel on stucco
Location: 14 E. Water Street, Harrisonburg, VA
(back wall of Magnolia’s Tacos & Tequila Bar)
Public Art: “Release” Mural
In Memory of Charles Ziegenfus
Charles Ziegenfus, better known as Zig, was a man of many talents and interests. With ceaseless enthusiasm, he taught as a professor of mathematics at James Madison University (JMU) for nearly 60 years, was a licensed electrician, and was an avid bridge and cribbage player. However, his keenest interest was an appreciation for birds. Zig added ornithology to his teaching career at JMU, and his love for birding was contagious, inspiring hundreds of students to become life-long birders.
This mural, painted by artist Christy Baker, poignantly depicts Zig’s hand releasing a banded Kestrel back to the wild and was painted in recognition of his contributions to the birding community.
More About Zig
Zig’s research began with Juncos, working with researchers from Indiana University over many summers at Mountain Lake. He also banded many birds at Dolly Sods, WV during fall migration. Another highlight was banding Northern Saw-whet owls at Highland Retreat in Bergton, VA. Later in life, he became interested in birds of prey and banded hawks and Kestrels into his late 80s. As a licensed bird bander, Zig banded more than 10,000 birds.
He also was a founding member of the Rockingham Bird Club. Throughout Rockingham County, Zig installed more than 100 bluebird boxes, which are still occupied every spring.
Zig was honored by the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley as the 2021 Valley Treasure, and just shortly before he passed away in March 2023, he received the prestigious Mitchell A. Byrd Award from the Virginia Society of Ornithology, recognizing outstanding scientific achievement in the field of ornithology.
Keep Learning!
Zig’s family would be honored if this mural inspired more people to get involved in birding.
Click the links below for more information about organizations that were dear to Zig’s heart.
About the Artist
Mural artist Christy Baker has been painting walls, canvases, and furniture professionally for more than two decades. She is the owner of greenyellowblue, an artistic painting and design studio in Charlottesville; learn more about her and her work here!
