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.
Glimpse
On a building covered with murals, local artist Khalil Riddick’s work facing Granby Street stands out to passersby through striking imagery showing a futuristic woman facing her destiny in the universe.
View PostBloom
A collaboration between two Norfolk artists, Carl Medley III and Charles Rasputin, Bloom features pink roses and bold white fangs that speak to the intense energy and fierce creativity in the district.
View Post27 Beecycles
Discover this mural nestled along the many painted works on Magazine Lane. It was created with support from the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art by Richmond artist Matt Lively for the NEON. In 2022, the mural was repaired and slightly altered.
View PostBlue Sky
Art professor John Rudel and Virginia Wesleyan College students collaborated on this mural located on the rear of Virginia Furniture’s building, in the art alleyway Magazine Lane.
View PostAll the Pieces Matter
Hampton artist Elizabeth Cooke returned to NEON to paint a site-specific mural full of graphic symbols and whimsy. The mural was damaged in part in 2020. In 2013 she helped beautify the old Zedd’s auction house as part of Hampton Roads, The Canvas project.
View PostWidow’s Walk
Painted collaboratively by street artist The Night Owl and comic artist James Callahan, Widow’s Walk is essentially a tale of a love lost at sea. The figure on the left looks longingly out to sea, swimming in memories and feelings of the past. Her lost love is reflected in her eye forever.
View PostHappier Times
Brightly colored fish swim around the first floor of 801 Granby Street in the OnieTonie trademark style by Troy Summerell, a featured artist in both the NEON and ViBe Districts. Based in Virginia Beach OnieTonie™ Designs takes inspiration from surfing the world’s oceans, original hand-painted designs featured on murals, clothing, coloring pages, stickers and countless … Happier Times
View PostOpen Graffiti Wall
Long-time Norfolk tattoo shop Fuzion Ink on Granby Street started a legal graffiti wall in Magazine Lane in 2015. The alley behind the tattoo shop had yet to become the art-filled destination it is today, but their gesture opened up the site to many unknown artists looking for a canvas. As a legitimate site for … Open Graffiti Wall
View PostKaiya With Finch
After a local donor saw Richmond muralist Nils Westergard’s work he commissioned the artist to create a work for Norfolk’s then budding arts district. It was one of the first to grace Magazine Lane. Westergard has gone on to paint dozens of murals across the US and abroad.
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