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.
NEON Cube
The NEON Cube is the result of dreams to rehabilitate an iconic downtown structure and current efforts to establish and brand Norfolk’s first arts district, the NEON District. 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 … NEON Cube
View PostCementiscope
Artist collective Glassitorium’s Public Art Commission lives on site at The Plot as a large interactive sculpture that combines elements of a cement mixer and kaleidoscope, encouraging play and discovery.
View PostNEON Wayfinding Posters
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
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 PostJewel
Her ignited eyes float under the sea waves. In Navid Rahman’s second mural in the NEON District, he took on the mermaid, an iconic symbol of Norfolk and remade her into a lush and ethereal beauty beckoning you down Magazine Lane.
View PostNEON Squared Sidewalk Image
As a continuation of their artistic bench project, Governor’s School for the Arts students painted six sidewalk mural squares in the NEON in 2018. In 2019 and 2021 visual art students repainted several and added new mural squares. 201 student artists include Zahira Tirado, Kaya Washington, Sanaiya Briggs, Tess Versprille, Alana Ballard and Sydney Osborne. … NEON Squared Sidewalk Image
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 PostAll the Pieces Matter
Hampton artist Elizabeth Cooke returned to NEON to paint a site-specific mural full of graphic symbols and whimsy. In 2013 she helped beautify the old Zedd’s auction house as part of The Canvas Project.
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.
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