Thank you to everyone who joined us for the dedication of “Taming of the Surge” at Kimball Terrace Pump Station, 2831 Kimball Terrace, Norfolk, VA 23504 on 11/16/24.
Watch a video of the event.
Christine Rojek created this aluminum sculpture. Thank you to Councilman J.P. Paige, and Wilma Gerald, Norfolk Arts Commissioner for being a part of this special dedication event and to the artist for sharing details of her creative process. Visitors enjoyed a tour of the pump station lead by the City’s Department of Public Works. Chef Theo of “Crop Circle Gourmet” provided free food to include burgers, hot dogs and grilled jerk chicken. Special thank you to @changingfacesandspacess for the beautiful face painting and to DJ Confusion for the fun music selections.
Counter-balanced aluminum tubing topped with forms that mimic common flora and fauna found along the Ohio Creek encircle the 14’x 8′ aluminum sculpture. As the wind blows, subtle motions are created that activate hidden chimes positioned at the base. Perforated aluminum appears throughout the interior to simulate the flowing of water. The sculpture is crowned with figurative silhouettes and topped with a hand-cut, wind-driven, blue spinning finial.
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Ohio Creek NEA Grant project design by Christine Rojek
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Ohio Creek NEA Grant project design by Christine Rojek
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Ohio Creek NEA Grant project design by Christine Rojek
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Progress update June 2024
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Progress update June 2024
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Progress update June 2024
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Progress update June 2024
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Progress update June 2024
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Norfolk Arts and the Elizabeth River Project received a $75,000 National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant to create public art in this area susceptible to flooding along the Ohio Creek in Norfolk, Virginia. This is one of 63 grants nationwide that the NEA approved in this category to support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes; ultimately laying the groundwork for sustainable systems change. A cash portion of the grant has provided for a community celebration.
“What the Water Wants” is what we titled the project initiative. In collaboration with our non-profit partner, the Elizabeth River Project, residents, the design team, and the City of Norfolk Office of Resilience, the project goal was to be a catalyst to share the story of the river, improve access, and engage the community in environmental stewardship while infusing artwork in the Ohio Creek Watershed Project. The team commissioned artist Christine Rojek to investigate meaningful and beautiful interventions to preserve the environment, connect people, and develop the economic vitality of our shoreline community.
“What the Water Wants”, while focused on the Ohio Creek Watershed, proposes translatable strategies for coastal resilience in vulnerable urban settlements threatened by sea level rise, environmental degradation, and the loss of cultural heritage. The intense global interest in the urban implications of climate change and sea level rise, as well as the poetic possibilities at the threshold of land and water, underscore the timely significance of artists making space for water.
“As the country and the arts sector begin to work towards a post-pandemic world, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to announce this Our Town funding. These awards will support cross-sector partnerships such as the one lead by the City of Norfolk, that demonstrate the power of the arts to help communities create a better future for themselves.” said NEA Acting Chairman Ann Eilers.
Through artistic expression, we hope to strengthen infrastructure and preparedness of our low-lying coastal region for the flooding challenges we face today and moving forward.
Staff salaries, marketing and surveys and assessments were in-kind to make up the grant match, managed by Norfolk Arts and the Elizabeth River Project.
The total budget for the completed, delivered, and installed artwork was $135,000. This covered artist’s honorarium, fabrication, materials, shipping, insurance, travel expenses necessary to complete the project, project plaque, final documentation and any incidental expenses. The artist has hired a Virginia licensed contractor to install the artwork.
