Christine Rojek has been selected to create this project.
A Summer 2024 Artwork dedication is planned to take place during the RiverFest, Community Celebration Event.

Christine’s aluminum sculpture, “Taming of the Surge” will be installed in 2024. Counter-balanced aluminum tubing topped with forms that mimic common flora and fauna found along the Ohio Creek will encircle the sculpture. As the wind blows, subtle motions will be created that activate hidden chimes positioned at the base of the sculpture. Perforated aluminum appears throughout the interior to simulate the flowing of water. The sculpture will be crowned with figurative silhouettes and topped with a hand-cut, wind-driven, blue spinning finial.


Norfolk Arts and the Elizabeth River Project has received a $75,000 National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant to create public art installations in neighborhoods 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 ($15,000) will support a river education curriculum on the Learning Barge and RiverFest 2023.

“What the Water Wants” will infuse art in the Ohio Creek Watershed Project. 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 will be a catalyst to share the story of the river, create public art, improve access, and engage the community in environmental stewardship. The team has 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. As part of Riverfest, the City of Norfolk and the Elizabeth River Project will organize and host a free celebration of art and the river during the public art dedication.

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 expressions 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 will be 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 will be $135,000. This will cover artist’s honorarium, fabrication, materials, shipping, insurance, travel expenses necessary to complete the project, project plaque, final documentation and any incidental expenses. The artist will hire a Virginia licensed contractor to install the artwork(s).

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Norfolk Arts seeks to create a rich, diverse, environment that reflects, celebrates and invites all to experience the arts. We seek to give voice to our community and strive to unite, energize, prompt dialogue, and inspire the unique character of Norfolk.

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