L. Randy Harrison, Arts Coordinator
Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission
112 Mann Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Email: rharrison@
cityofchesapeake.net

Tel: (757) 382-6411
Fax: (757) 382- 8418

Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission

Public Art

The newly activated
Public Art Committee (PAC)
has brought noticeable
success in 2007/2008
with the new program,
“Public Art on a Shoestring,"
which installs temporary
or loaned art pieces
of local major artists,
indoor and out,
throughout the city.

 

Among the Public Art Committee’s many accomplishments, the committee:

1. PAC donated $742 to the Portlock Gallery after approving the design for the large butterfly mural painted on the outside wall of the Portlock annex.
   
   
2. PAC purchased stone-cast concrete chess/checkers tables with two seats each. One is in place at the Chesapeake TCC campus, another at a small public park off Cedar Road, the third, purchased by Parks & Recreation, sits under a circle of crepe myrtles in Great Bridge Lock Park and the fourth is on the east side of City Hall under the trees

"Public Art on a Shoestring" 2007

A number of years ago, the late Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee, City Manager, instituted a public art program ordinance and committee with the task of art for the, then, new city hall building. The committee did not meet after that task, since there was no funding for an active public art program.

In 2005, the committee was resurrected and organized according to the original ordinance which called for a committee comprised of four Fine Arts Commissioners, the (non-voting) Fine Arts Coordinator, and a member of the City Manager's Office. Dr. Wanda Barnard- Bailey, Deputy City Manager, is now that representative. It was agreed that they add a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board member to the core committee.

Council provided the group a small working budget of $10,000, in ‘07 and ‘08, to see how it could assist in some public art goals.

They have done a great deal in the short time that they have been active. Having only the working budget, it was decided to seek artists of note from Hampton Roads and offer a modest stipend for the loan of their art for 8 months to a year.

See a growing list of currently installed, purchased or temporary/loaned public art pieces that are placed throughout the city.

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If you are interested in the work of the Public Art Committee, please contact the PAC at the Fine Arts Commission office, (757) 382-6411 or email finearts@cityofchesapeake.net.

How you can take part in the Public Art efforts in Chesapeake

Do you want to purchase/donate a piece of art for the city? Pictured are some samples of the kind of bronze art you can purchase and there are other smaller pieces that can be used in parks or areas of your choice!

Examples of bronze art that can be purchased
for the park of your choice

Maybe there is something particular you want to be donated in your name or a type of work you would like to be considered! Let us know at finearts@cityofchesapeake.net or (757) 382-6411.