Isabella Thompson, founder of The Fiber Art Society, blends her life-long passion for fiber art and community engagement with Flourish, another large-scale yarn bomb for the NEON Festival. The one-night only crochet installation celebrated a decade of creativity in the NEON District.
Composed of crocheted flowers, leaves, and other organic forms, the piece drew inspiration from how the NEON District has flourished over the years; growing from its roots in community collaboration into a hub of art and connection. Each stitch reflected the shared energy that kept the district blooming for a decade.
Featured Fiber Artists:
Isabella Thompson, Alyssa Taylor, Deb Munroe and Benilda Midence.
Flourish
Isabella Thompson, founder of The Fiber Art Society, blends her life-long passion for fiber art and community engagement with Flourish, another large-scale yarn bomb for the NEON Festival. The one-night only crochet installation celebrated a decade of creativity in the NEON District. Composed of crocheted flowers, leaves, and other organic forms, the piece drew inspiration … Flourish
View PostNEON Holiday Public Art 2024
Each year, the NEON District collaborates with local artists to create custom holiday décor for display at the Plot. In 2024 a student team from The Governor’s School for the Arts collaborated on design ideas and cooked up the idea of gingerbread people as an inclusive way to show the rich diversity of our community. … NEON Holiday Public Art 2024
View PostThe 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.
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 PostWalking on Water
In the fall of 2023, The Governor’s School for the Arts visual arts student Iolanna Nuzzo designed a new “rug” for the rotating art site in Magazine Lane, between 801 Granby and Hurrah’s Copeland Center. The alley rug is a popular selfie spot in NEON. GSA Artist Assistants: • Sofia Cateternam • Jordan Collins • … Walking on Water
View PostAnatomy of NEON
Young Governor’s School for the Arts visual artist Aspen Knight’s design was selected for a new mural on the rotating art site in Magazine Lane in 2023. Aspen’s painting replaced a previous mural painted by Governor’s School for the Arts student Layla Todd.
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 PostPink Neon
Virginia Beach artist Hanna Kirby was selected to create a mural design for the rotating art space on the rear of a NEON District billboard in 2022. She was the fourth artist represented on the rotating mural space on Bob’s billboard sign. An illustrator, graphic designer, painter, chef, exhibition designer and muralist, Hanna holds an … Pink Neon
View Post9th Annual NEON Festival
The 9th annual NEON Festival returned to NFK October 18 & 19, 2024. The nights were lit with performances, music, murals, art and more! Stay tuned for 2025's tenth anniversary celebration!
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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