Isabella Thompson, founder of The Fiber Art Society, started the Community Crochet Mural Project in July 2024, blending her life-long passion for fiber art and community engagement. The mural consists of 333 granny squares—totaling 83,916 double crochet—measuring over twenty feet wide and five feet tall, including nearly seven miles of yarn! Following the 2024 NEON Festival, the mural will be transformed into four blankets for donation to the YWCA of South Hampton Roads to support those in need. Learn more about the YWCA here. This project has brought together a vibrant community of fiber artists, supported by local businesses and generous supply donations.
Featured Fiber Artists:
Isabella Thompson, Benilda Midence, Kaye Ellen Trautman, Jane, Savannah Kerrick, Whitney, Jazmine, Felicity, Byron L. Edwards, Kanisha Haskins, Yoshley Ortiz, and Alyssa Taylor.
Community Support:
-Chrysler Museum of Art
-The High Cup
-Zeke’s NFK
-757 Creative ReUse Center
-NEON District
Supply Donation: 757 Creative ReUse Center
TAG US: @TheFiberArtSociety
The Community Crochet Mural Project 2024
Isabella Thompson, founder of The Fiber Art Society, started the Community Crochet Mural Project in July 2024, blending her life-long passion for fiber art and community engagement. The mural consists of 333 granny squares—totaling 83,916 double crochet—measuring over twenty feet wide and five feet tall, including nearly seven miles of yarn! Following the 2024 NEON … The Community Crochet Mural Project 2024
View PostInternational Yarn Bombing Day 2024
Multimedia artist Isabella Thompson returned to the NEON District in 2024, creating yarn bombs inspired by local businesses for International Yarn Bombing Day on June 11. Yarn bombs are street artworks created by fiber enthusiasts who crochet or knit pieces for display in public environments, often covering trees, fences or benches. Try to find all … International Yarn Bombing Day 2024
View PostNEON Holiday Stars 2023
The 2023 custom holiday star décor for the NEON District was hand-painted by The Governor’s School for the Arts students. Lead artist Zach Ellis created “Baker’s Disaster,” an array of cookie designs inspired by holiday baking. There are some baking mistakes that we may have all encountered–some cookies are burnt, and some have icing that … NEON Holiday Stars 2023
View PostNEON Holiday Stars 2022
The 2022 custom holiday star décor for the neighborhood was hand-painted by The Governor’s School for the Arts students. Fresh off their Gourmandizing mural in NEON, the ten art students had a few weeks left of the semester to tackle another paint project. The cheerful and colorful designs were on view at Retail Alliance’s parking … NEON Holiday Stars 2022
View PostNEON Wayfinding Posters 2022
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 2022
View PostNEON Holiday Stars 2021
After a successful first year of custom holiday designs, two new artists were selected for the 2021 holiday season to create a new vision for the district’s star décor. Custom star paintings by Aimee Bruce inspired by neon lights and bokeh dots were displayed at Retail Alliance’s parking lot, in the Plot flower bed and … NEON Holiday Stars 2021
View PostAlley “Rug”
In the fall of 2021 The Governor’s School for the Arts visual arts student Ronan Breckenbridge designed a new “rug” for the rotating art site in Magazine Lane, between 801 Granby and Hurrah’s Copeland Center. Caelan Shaw and Morgan Jones assisted. The alley rug is a popular selfie spot in NEON. A new rug was … Alley “Rug”
View PostAffinity
Young Governor’s School for the Arts visual artist Layla Todd’s design was selected for a new mural on the rotating art site in Magazine Lane. The goal of this project was to create a design that was simple but stylistically unique enough to make a recognizable and memorable piece. The shapes, line and color together … Affinity
View PostPublic 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 Post7th Annual NEON Festival
The 7th annual NEON Festival returned to NFK October 20 & 21, 2022. The nights were lit with performances, music, murals, art and more!
Learn MoreCall For Artists
Hundreds of artists have passed through NEON walls over the years. Big or small, international or your next door neighbor, high school student or college professor - artists of all kinds and skill levels are welcome to contribute to the NEON District's public art collection. Apply for project-based open calls throughout the year to join the club.
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