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 that reflects the constant change and history of cities and neighborhoods. The twenty artists selected for the project beautifully visualized themes of memory, history, time, future, community, evolution and creativity.
The NEON, like many areas of Norfolk, was built on old waterways filled in for urban growth. The NEON District is also designated Auto Row Historic District for its defining role in the sales and production of Norfolk’s automobile industry. How do you think these histories have shaped the neighborhood, physically and metaphorically? As neighborhoods in Norfolk evolve, what do you see? What do you miss? What do you think of when you envision the NEON District? What does signify that these artworks are no longer in place?
Featured Artists:
Hailey Porth
Andy Harris
Robin Mercer Snead
Benjamin Boshart
David H. Gwaltney
Erik Leach
Nickolai Walko
Will Jordan
Valerie White
D. Easter
Henry T. Chong, aka Hencho
The BIGI Collective (Brandon and Gigi Vera)
Chris Warren Fuentes
Carlos Burgess
Kadija Corinaldi
Aaron Uzzle
Michael C. Ryan
Aimee Bruce
Dustin Lee
Fiona Marinaro
NEON 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 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
View PostA Series of Fortunate Events
Local artist Tamika Bright-Stubblefield worked in yarn, paint and collage for her NEON District piece, creating views she calls “beyond this place.” Her yarn mural lived on the Zeke’s NFK fence as a long-term installation designed to weather over time.
View PostNEON Fiber Garden
The NEON Fiber Garden grew out of local crafter Danielle Shaffer’s passion for all things yarn. Over months of knitting and crocheting in 2017, a group of women spun a flowering botanical garden and then installed on a chain link fence behind the Virginia ABC store in NEON to beautify the area. The long-term installation … NEON Fiber Garden
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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