Elizabeth Cooke, James Davis, Christopher Jude Ranes, and Asa Jackson
2010
Hampton Roads: The Canvas was the definition of a grassroots effort, pre-NEON District. A group of like-minded individuals saw a need in Norfolk. They rallied support, organized around a derelict building, even secured small monetary contributions from the public to purchase paint materials. More supplies were crowdsourced and donated through Old Dominion University’s art education program.
Four artists, representing four of the seven cities in Hampton Roads, gave their time and skills and hearts to paint for a month in cold December temperatures: Elizabeth Cooke, Asa Jackson, James Davis and Christopher Jude Ranes. This one city block in what was to become Norfolk’s first arts district, covered in paint and hope, planted a seed that Hampton Roads could be a place where art thrived.
