Pictured above “The Family Vespa” by acclaimed artists Gillie and Mark.
Creating some of the world’s most innovative public sculptures, the work of Gillie and Marc spreads messages of love, equality, and conservation around the world. Their highly coveted sculptures and paintings can be seen in art galleries and public sites in over 250 cities. The artists are best known for their beloved characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman, who tell the autobiographical tale of two opposites coming together to become best friends and soul mates. As unlikely animal kingdom companions, the Rabbit and the Dog stand for diversity and acceptance through love.
“The Family Vespa” will be installed in August of 2024 at the intersection of Shore Drive and Ocean View Drive, across from The former Ship’s Cabin Restaurant. A date for the dedication will be announced soon.
⭐️Take a look at this Summer Art Camp that was sponsored via funding from the 2023 Coastal VA Plein Air farewell event!
🌟We are excited to be have been able to partner again with Coastal VA Plein Air on a 2nd public art project being installed in Ocean View!
In 2021, funds raised were used to purchase watercolor sets for every Ocean View Elementary School student. They also provided 1/2 of the funding needed to commission sculptor Eileen Gay to create “Chryshellis”, an 8 ft. glass and tile mosaic for Ocean View Beach Park.
The purchase of “The Family Vespa” will be the 5th partnership match project we’ve initiated and our 2nd partnership project with Coastal Virginia Plein Air specifically. Other artwork partnership projects have been completed with the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation for artwork located behind the Larchmont Library by DeeDee Morrison, a Sentara Brock Cancer Treatment Center project “Gratitude” completed in 2023, a pending project being planned with Marathon Development Group and a project at EVMS currently in the contract negotiation final stages.
The Ocean View Partnership Project committee was:
Juanita Smith, Community Representative
Monica Van Dyke Johnson, Community Representative
Sally Clarkson, Public Art Commission
Devon Lawrence, Public Art Commission
Jennifer Sanford, Public Art Commission
Joanne Taylor, Community Representative
Yvonne Wagner, Public Art Commission
Mary Vinson, Community Representative
Walter Weeks, Public Works
Stephen Zurek, Parks and Recreation
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Pictured at the future location of "The Family Vespa" are Mary Vinson, Monica Van Dyke Johnson, Karen Rudd, and Joanne Taylor (with Dora).
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John Harris will be installing "The Family Vespa". John is pictured with Karen Rudd of Norfolk ARTS.
