for sixty years the sculpted frieze of the Greenbelt Community Center is a landmark in the town. Both the frieze and the Mother and Child statue in the town center were created by Lenore Thomas Straus. Lenore's sculptures centered on the human figure and is often considered pensive in nature She strived to combine sculpture with architecture. Two plaques, purchased by the Woman's Club of Greenbelt in homage to a crucial female figure in the town's history, are placed before the two pieces of art.
The 12 foot Maternal figure is depicted giving a drink of water to her child. The bond shared between the two is symbolic of the family structure, which the City of Greenbelt emphasized heavily. The frieze exhibits a belief in American idealism and patriotism and the goals of the Greenbelt Resettlement project. It illustrates the preamble of the Constitution. The specific scenes show reconstruction and cooperation were necessary for success. For more in-depth analysis of Lenore Thomas Straus' work click here.