Public Art
Wander through the neighborhood and discover tiny art happenings, large-scale murals and pops of neon color and light. From works by nationally celebrated visual artists like Esteban del Valle and HENSE, to local heroes like Carl Medley III and Hannah Kirkpatrick, to the world-renowned Chrysler Museum of Art, come see the new energy of Norfolk on display.
Black Lives More Than Matter
Nicole Harp and Clayton Singleton 2020 Norfolk artists Nicole Harp and Clayton Singleton feel that they have a great responsibility as citizens and are honored to use visual arts in the fight for equality and all forms of justice; especially those affecting Black, indigenous, and people of color. No life matters until Black Lives Matter. … Black Lives More Than Matter
View PostSay Their Names
Artist William Payne’s mural unequivocally displays the hypocrisy that exists in America: innocent citizens, mainly minorities, killed by law enforcement with little to no repercussions. The imagery depicts an African-American man with his back to the viewer, barely holding onto a tattered American flag, flapping in the wind. The consummate symbol of America is ripped … Say Their Names
View PostMy Standards
My Standards by the artist Bage is a 7’ tall one-eyed tomcat made of recycled breaker boxes, a light pole and other found metals. The 3-dimensional feline appeared one night in the tradition of other 2-dimensional graffiti aerosol art and now prowls the NEON looking for fun.
View PostThe Dream Machine
Jeff Beck’s idea for The Dream Machine was inspired by children’s theater group Hurrah Players and 1980’s toy robots that teach you things. The large star represents Hurrah with two tubes going into and coming out of the star. The tube with shades of gray represents a lack of fun and inspiration and while the opposite … The Dream Machine
View PostWhen Chameleons Rollerskate
Bright. Bold. Incredibly Awkward. Artist Charley Frances’ When Chameleons Roller Skate is a playful mural featuring a children’s book character that is in the middle of a story. The painted chameleon allows anyone who passes it to imagine the rest of the story, before and after, for themselves. Find it on the rear of The … When Chameleons Rollerskate
View Post3 Muses
Artist Victoria Weiss woke up one early morning and created these female characters based on symbolism and culture: the energy of a Gazelle able to outrun panthers and cheetahs; a cat, harking back to Egyptian cultures that treated felines like gods for protecting their owners; and third, a Chinese opera mask, elevating Chinese folk stories … 3 Muses
View PostGeometric Configuration #1, #2, and #3
Australian artist Karri McPherson used the late 1960s International Style architecture of the Wyndham Garden hotel, as well as its interior design, to inspire her three wall paintings. These configurations comprise hard-edged geometric shapes and employ color, shape and form as mechanisms to engage audiences with the vibrant murals. The mural was McPherson’s first in … Geometric Configuration #1, #2, and #3
View PostKeep Glowing
A black light reactive mural made from glass bottles and florescent colored resin now occupies the chain link fence along W. Wilson Avenue behind the Virginia ABC store. Inspired by the former NEON Fiber Garden, the team of creators want you to see the energy created by the NEON District and “keep it glowing!” Volunteers … Keep Glowing
View PostNeighborhood Markers
Local teens and adults from the Young Terrace neighborhood assisted in a “paint-by-number” process to create a 63-foot-long mural on the CHKD Thrift Store in NEON. It was designed by Natalia Pilato, art education program director and assistant professor in Old Dominion University’s Department of Art and her ODU students with extensive community input. The … Neighborhood Markers
View PostPublic Art Program
Since the birth of the NEON District, new murals and sculpture projects have multiplied, through both top down and grassroots efforts. The combination creates an inclusive, welcoming arts community with a range of talents and styles. The NEON District's public art grant program supports individual artists and property owners seeking designs.
ExploreArts Archive
A number of amazing projects have graced the walls and galleries in the NEON District over the years. Some were temporary, some faded away gracefully and some rotate out over the years. Walk down memory lane with us.
Explore