Red Zig Zag – a fence around nothing, is a striking new sculpture at the intersection of Grace and Duke Street, across from the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Perry Glass Studio. Created by Anton Bakker, who is originally from Norfolk, the sculpture stands 14 feet tall—17 feet on its pedestal—and showcases his focus on geometry, the beauty of symmetry, and the profound importance of perspective. Though most of Bakker’s works are installed in Dubai, he is proud to present this major piece in his hometown at such a prominent location.
Commissioned by the “Three Amigos”—J. Douglas Perry, Thomas L. Stokes, Jr., and Joseph T. Waldo—the sculpture’s vibrant “Calder red” color pays homage to Joe Waldo’s final vision for the piece. Inspired by Bakker’s late mentor, Koos Verhoeff, and Brancusi’s Endless Column, Red Zig Zag prompts viewers to question what is fenced in or out, underscoring how different perspectives can reshape our understanding of space and form.
Red Zig Zag
Red Zig Zag – a fence around nothing, is a striking new sculpture at the intersection of Grace and Duke Street, across from the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Perry Glass Studio. Created by Anton Bakker, who is originally from Norfolk, the sculpture stands 14 feet tall—17 feet on its pedestal—and showcases his focus … Red Zig Zag
View PostStarry Daze
Throughout 2024, Norfolk artist Lindsay Horne meditated on and took inspiration from Vincent van Gogh’s famed painting Starry Night. Weaving in and out of her life in peculiar ways, the pattern she found in life transcended into her creative work and became the inspiration behind this site-specific installation. Starry Daze is metal wire cut into … Starry Daze
View PostWeatherman
Tim Rodgers, Jr.’s Weatherman mural is an ode to news production, both in front of and behind the camera. Local TV station WTKR’s garage now depicts a weather man in front of two weather backgrounds, one half is sunny and green and the other half is rainy and wet. The second door panel consists of … Weatherman
View PostSHAPES IN THE LOT
The goal for this project was to activate the Cofer Lot and bring bold black and white shapes to the heart of the NEON District during the 2024 Festival! Renowned local artist Dathan Kane wanted to honor the community that utilizes the lot on a daily basis and have the mural serve as a solution … SHAPES IN THE LOT
View Post801 Window Gallery
The NEON District and the condo owners of the Gray Building partner on providing a rotating window gallery space for young and emerging artists. In the fall of 2024, featured young artists representing Solstice Hybrid Academy are on display. Solstice Hybrid Academy founder Sarah Harrington says her students are all special, different and unique. The … 801 Window Gallery
View PostNEON Wayfinding Posters 2024
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 2024
View PostHealing Hearts
As a collaboration between the Renova Center and the Samaritan House, the artist decided to feature words of empowerment and faceless characters of some of the many heroes helping individuals and families with healing hearts. The mural was mostly painted in the fall of 2023 by d’Art Center artist Vivian Davis with help from volunteer … Healing Hearts
View PostNEON Walls
In art-filled Magazine Lane, NEON Walls took more than 300 feet of privacy fencing and converted it into a living graffiti gallery. Led by internationally-known street art crew Few and Far, a collection of graffiti writers and street artists from Hampton Roads, Virginia and beyond painted the fence in the days leading up the 2023 … NEON Walls
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 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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