NORFOLK, Va. — Throughout the last decade, unconventional street art has become part of what makes Hampton Roads great.
It started with murals. Norfolk’s Neon District emerged as the creative hub of the city, and in Virginia Beach, it’s hard to miss them covering streets and buildings in the Vibe District.
Both cities are making a concerted effort to boost the work of local artists looking for a canvas.
Keeping with the tradition of other forms of functional expression, like painted crosswalks and park stairs, the City of Norfolk wants to add a little color where commuters may not expect it.
Wednesday is the deadline for artists to submit their work on a new project to cover nearly a dozen utility boxes in the city’s Ward 3.
The intent of the project is to beautify the neighborhood, bringing art to otherwise utilitarian surfaces and providing local artists with an opportunity to develop public art. Local artists, students and artists of color are especially encouraged to apply.
Their final artwork should be able to be translated to a digital file for print, to be converted to vinyl wrap.
Along with painting parking meters, the City of Virginia Beach took on a similar project to cover utility boxes near the Oceanfront.
The art goes beyond just beautification.
Studies show public art improves street safety, boosts tourism and creates jobs for local artists.
Perhaps most importantly, projects like these create spaces where the community feels represented, giving them a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods.