Norfolk is among the great cities that use public art to inspire, educate, beautify and give character to public places. In the 2006 budget, 1% of new capital projects over $500,000 was set aside to acquisition artwork. The Norfolk Arts Commission was established and, together with city staff, developed policies for the development of artwork. Through the public art process, we celebrate historic events or people and provide opportunities to facilitate our community values of inclusion, civic pride, cultural diversity and appreciation of the creative spirit. A specific amount of CIP funds is now designated for public art instead of applying the 1% formula. Norfolk Arts Manager Karen Rudd has proudly administrated the process to develop over 100 projects over the course of 20yrs. that enliven our Norfolk neighborhoods and create a unique image and sense of place for Norfolk citizens. We’ve highlighted a dozen projects here. Be sure to watch for them in your travels. Find all of our projects here!
In 2009 at Town Point Park on Waterside Drive we dedicated our 1st project Waterwork, by Stephen Farley. Waterwork, is comprised of 24 large-scale photographic murals on glazed ceramic tiles. Scenes of work and life on the Norfolk waterfront were selected from the archives of the Slover Sargeant Memorial Collection are depicted to remind visitors of the rich history and continuing work traditions of the Norfolk waterfront. On July 2, 2009 Mayor Paul Fraim and Public Art Commission Chair Steve Wright spoke at the dedication.
In 2010 we installed Enchanted Garden by Garth Edwards at Coleman Place Elementary School on Palmyra St.
Garth Edwards created “Enchanted Garden”, an aluminum mural of whimsical animals and natural forms for the side of Coleman Place Elementary School. A gateway of fanciful animals greets pedestrians at the Rush Street entrance to the school grounds. The work is elementary age appropriate and conveys the spirit of the school as well as stimulates personal and friendly conversation. The artwork serves as a back gateway way-finder and is a community place maker providing a distinct identity.
In 2010, we installed All Things Within All Things by Matthew Gray Palmer at the Virginia Zoo.
Matthew Gray Palmer of Friday Harbor, Washington, created “All Things Within All Things” in 2010. He playfully illustrates our interconnection with each other by incorporating one of the largest terrestrial mammals, an elephant with one of the most delicate wind-bound insects, the butterfly. The sculpture is fabricated in aluminum and measures approximately 16’ long, 7’ wide, with a 10’ shoulder height. An elegant linear armature that loosely follows the organic volume of the elephant has been welded and forged to provide structural stability. Spanning the spaces of the armature are over 6,000 butterfly silhouettes plasma-arc cut from sheets in thicknesses ranging from 1/8”–3/16” then hand forged and shaped to complete the surface of the elephant. A large (18” wingspan) golden butterfly with elephant wings is cast in aluminum and gilded with 24k gold and rests on the elephant’s spout.
In 2012 we worked with Anne Bousquet and David Johnson to create a temporary project they called The Ped Ex Project.
This temporary interactive project appeared at various locations throughout the city during special events and at random moments thorughout the year on 40 different days. The artists produced 20 signs with inventive slogans. Pedestrians were encouraged to select a sign and carry it through the crosswalk to a bin across the street. The signs’ messages were upbeat, humorous, thoughtful and expressed pride in the city.
In 2013 at MacArthur Square we dedicated MetalMatisse by Electroland.
Metalmatisse is an interactive, stainless-steel, light and sound sculpture designed to complement the formal European landscape of MacArthur Square. The goal was to activate the central downtown square with art, interactivity, light and sound. Visitors can activate lights and sounds in 14 locations by standing in view of an aimed sensor inside of each flower. A vase and bouquet are loosely adapted from paintings of flowers by French artist Henri Matisse with a distinctly modern statement of scale and exuberance. Periodically the entire sculpture comes to life in an orchestrated chorus of light.
In 2015 in the NEON District on Granby St., we installed Cementiscope by Glassatorium
The goal of this project was to symbolize creativity and energy and connect with the community in a fun, lively interactive way. A cement drum encases a fully functioning kaleidoscope, one of the oldest science toys over 200 years old. In the beginning, as the kaleidoscope was turned, colorful glass appeared to tumble via reflective mirrors but only the glass within close proximity to the mirrors was reflected allowing viewers to see Norfolk in a whole new way. As viewers rotated the drum via a manual crank, colorful shape combinations were enhanced by integrated LED lights. As the project has aged, the crank doesn’t always work and the project is no longer lit.
In 2016 we commissioned Clayton Singleton to work with Teens With a Purpose to create Garden of Dreams on E. Olney Rd.
Garden of Dreams consists of 3 double sided aluminum murals that serve as wayfinding to signal passerby’s that nearby is a safe place to gather where creativity flows, and all are welcome.
Clayton hopes viewers will “reflect the inherent strength within each of us and be inspired to develop self-abilities.” The Norfolk Arts and Teens With a Purpose partnership created a platform that empowered young people to use their voice, creativity, reflection and actions to affect personal growth, transform lives and impact communities”.
In 2016 at the Norfolk Botanical Garden on Azalea Garden Rd., we dedicated Intertwine by Ilana Spector and Mark Grieve.
Intertwine is a 20′ tall stainless steel sculpture comprised of three entwined common garden forms arranged in a contemporary, joyous composition. A familiar common tool shape ties together the many themes of Norfolk Botanical Garden – the seasons, botany, community, pruning, planting and a connection to the land, history, and men and women of the WPA. Organic forms connect in an illogical order harmonizing the garden site creating a conceptual intersection related to the man-made & natural rhythms of the garden. The dedication event occurred May 19, 2016, prior to the 8th Annual Garden Heritage Celebration at the WPA Memorial honoring 220 African-American women & men who planted the Garden more than 75 years ago through the Works Progress Administration.
In 2017 on the Fountain Park Garage on Bank St., we installed
Fathoms of Freedom celebrates 100 years, Naval Station Norfolk. Local artist Christopher Kozak worked as lead artist over the summer with 5 students to create the nearly 40’ tall mural. Columbia, the female personification of the United States and liberty appears holding the North Star with the Little Dipper just above. The stars are backlit with LED’s at night. Sailors, ships, submarines and Navy symbols collaged at her feet pay tribute to the naval and seafaring history of Norfolk, VA.
In 2018 at the Ocean View Elementary School, we installed Birds of Every Feather by Mark Archambault.
The public art school committee selected Asheville Stone Mason Mark Archambault of Hammerhead Stoneworks to complete 5 projects for 5 new schools in Norfolk, Virginia. This additional mosaic was commissioned by the public art program to replace an aged Robert Wyland mural and the only one that appears on the exterior and can be seen by all. “Birds of Every Feather” depicts an old oak tree that once stood in front of the school. Birds represent the beauty of the natural world and diversity. Marc chose birds commonly seen in Norfolk such as blue jays, mourning doves and some that you may rarely see like kestrels and whip-poor-wills.
In 2011 on Norview Ave. near the entrance to the Norfolk International Airport, we installed Navigator by Don Kennell.
The Public Art Planning Committee selected Don Kennell to design and create artwork that “signals Norfolk as a friendly and welcoming city. The site-specific artwork was to creatively stimulate thought and conversation, be relevant to Norfolk, and create a sense of arrival, originality and momentarily relieve the stresses of air travel.”
“Navigator”, a monumental 24ft. tall, 44 ft. wide blue heron created from decommissioned aircraft with structural elements of steel and handblown glass eyes arrived June 3, on two semi-trucks. The sculpture celebrates the miracle of flight and Norfolk, Virginia – a place blue herons call home. Don states, “People coming and going at the airport get inside aluminum birds every day. “Navigator” serves as an open-armed welcome and a good luck farewell to those travelers and everyone coming and going. We are all on a journey somewhere including the herons and wildlife that call Hampton Roads home.”
In 2023 we installed End of Massive Resistance by Shane Albritton on W. Charlotte St.
Shane Albritton , Norman Lee / 04.27.2023 / Sculpture
The City of Norfolk commissioned Texas based public artist team, RE-site, Shane Albritton and Norman Lee, to create “End of Massive Resistance”, to honor the voices of those who struggled for justice, freedom and human dignity during this time. An 8’ tall x 57’ long wall with a graded transformation of brick to glass explores the concept of breaking down the barrier of a school building wall and the beginning of an end to segregated education. A historic photographic timeline of events and text includes “Seventeen Ways” a poem local Norfolk, VA poet and former Poet Laureate of Virginia, Tim Seibles collaborated with surviving members of ‘The Norfolk 17’ to write. Read Seventeen Ways by Tim Seibels Sunlight penetrating the glass bricks symbolizes the triumph of social justice. Opaque bricks near the end of the wall, gesture towards the ongoing work of creating equitable schools.
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