Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a city that celebrates the arts. Walk into any café, and you’ll find the walls transformed into vibrant galleries, showcasing paintings and photographs by local artists. Murals adorn buildings, and curated galleries fill every corner with unique works of art. Here, supporting creativity isn’t just a value—it’s a way of life.

One artist bringing color and character to Fredericksburg is Pete Morelewicz, also known as Print Jazz. Pete’s work is whimsical, bright, and graphic-based, spanning everything from books and murals to board games. His designs liven up spaces around town, turning blank walls into striking centerpieces.

Two of Pete’s most recognizable pieces can be found at the Fredericksburg Food Co-op. In the café, his “fauxstage stamps” celebrate familiar Fredericksburg landmarks, while above the cash registers, a mural of the sun hugging the city welcomes shoppers with the words “Friendricksburg, Virginia.”

“That came about during Covid where all I wanted to do was hug people, but we had to stay away from each other,” Pete explains. “That was kind of my way of showing the whole city hugging all of us.”

Beyond his murals, Pete’s work is also available for purchase at the Co-op. His locally-themed buttons, banners, and home goods capture the essence of Fredericksburg, offering shoppers a way to bring a piece of their city home.

“They’re all sites that are probably familiar to every shopper,” Pete says. “I think pride of place is very important, and it’s one of those values that the Co-op has as well.”

“Having an audience of like-minded folks who appreciate the surroundings, who appreciate the community, and see the Co-op as a center of the community is a perfect match for the kind of work that I do. And, though it is a celebration of the buildings and sites, it’s really about the people, and the Co-op is the perfect embodiment of that.”

Next time you’re downtown, take a moment to appreciate the local art that brings Fredericksburg to life—whether it’s a mural brightening the Co-op or a unique piece to take home as a tribute to the city we love.

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