Past Projects
A number of amazing projects have graced the walls and galleries of the NEON District over the years. Have a look at some of those works in the listing below.
Public Gallery on a Post
In 2021, summer campers with Lil Truck of Tools built by hand a tiny gallery modeled after Little Free Library, as they learned to use power tools and the fundamentals of construction. Artists could apply to show artworks for a month at a time at the Public Gallery on a Post in Norfolk’s NEON District.
View PostNEON Fence Gallery
The NEON District Fence Gallery was a temporary outdoor art exhibition surrounding the former Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. The gallery was comprised of twenty vinyl mesh panels printed with local and regional artists’ designs along the Granby Street and Brambleton Avenue sides of the site’s fence. Artists were asked to share artwork … NEON Fence Gallery
View PostLove Across the USA
To celebrate the LQBTQ+ community during Pride month in 2021, the NEON District joined a national movement to spread some love to every state in the USA (and beyond). Local fiber artist Tania Rich crocheted six rainbow yarn bombs emblazoned with the word LOVE, hand-stitching them to light poles in the center of the NEON … Love Across the USA
View PostNEON Wayfinding Posters 2020
In 2017, Work Program Architects, Downtown Norfolk Council and Sway Creative Labs joined forces to create an artistic sign package for NEON that included pedestrian signs, gateway fixtures and sidewalk “breadcrumbs” to lead visitors around the neighborhood. Two custom fabricated steel signs were placed on Olney Road and Grace Street with attraction listings and windows … NEON Wayfinding Posters 2020
View PostXenon
The artist Silas Baker wanted his mural to be a welcome sign as you enter the NEON District in downtown Norfolk. Sticking to a graffiti-style design which has always been a strong passion of his, the mural was bright, colorful and eye-catching, what most people associate with classic neon signage. Baker’s mural was the third … Xenon
View PostKeep Glowing
Keep Glowing was a black light reactive mural made from glass bottles and florescent colored resin that occupied the chain link fence along W. Wilson Avenue behind the Virginia ABC store. Inspired by the former NEON Fiber Garden, the team of creators wanted viewers to experience the energy created by the NEON District and “keep … Keep Glowing
View PostNotice Me #13
Girl Noticed is a community mural project, traveling the globe to build and maintain a world better informed about the positive impact the simple act of “noticing” a girl has. Every girl, just the way she is, has something about her worth noticing. Girl Noticed makes the bold statement that it is a community’s responsibility … Notice Me #13
View PostStay Woke
Multimedia artist Isabella Thompson installed yarn bomb “Stay Woke” in 2018. For years, the piece remained anonymous, reminding all viewers it doesn’t matter who you are or if anyone knows or not, it’s vital to get in tune with your environment and community. Isabella returned to the NEON District in 2024, creating more yarn bombs … Stay Woke
View PostUpper Blush
In 2016, the City of Norfolk Public Art Commission received a National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant to create public art addressing a community issue. Artist Matthew Geller created a large water-collecting swaying bench to bring awareness to Norfolk’s relationship with sea-level rise and flooding. In 2023, the piece was relocated to Water … Upper Blush
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