NEON District

Norfolk neonnfk.com

by Alex Marjanovich

PHOTOS: Downtown Norfolk Council

NEON

Urban Culture and Creativity Thrive

Virginia weather delivered some cruel conditions this past winter. But with warmer temps settled in and individuals looking to find new activities to engage in, you won’t find a more creative outdoor option than the New Energy of Norfolk, or NEON, District. Moored by the Chrysler Museum of Arts and the Harrison Opera House, NEON has become a vibrant celebration of the creative mind and spirit of the city.

“NEON was an idea that was percolating through Norfolk for some time,” said Rachel McCall, director of strategic initiatives at Downtown Norfolk Council. “The city wanted an arts and culture neighborhood for many years throughout the eighties and nineties, and during the early 2010s, there was a lot of community engagement and grassroots stakeholders who wanted to start a district.”

The city of Norfolk officially opened and incorporated the district in 2014. The downtown neighborhoods had zone changes that allowed for a variety. The Downtown Norfolk Council began managing the district after that, with various events to further the progression of the area. One of the hallmarks, the two-day NEON Arts Festival, garners around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors yearly and is entering its seventh iteration. “The big institutions bookended either side of the district,” said McCall. “It is nice to have two strong organizations anchoring us while we have filled in a lot of public art, murals, small community-led projects, along with a public gathering space in the middle of NEON.” The NEON District spans several blocks, with a wide variety of free art and mural exhibitions for public viewing. Over time, businesses began to open, offering a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy while exploring the district. One can engage in various activities, from getting tattoos at the Commonwealth Tattoo Parlor, snagging pastries at La Brioche Bakery, and even purchasing firearms at Bob’s Gun Store. NEON offers a wide selection that appeals to crowds from every walk of life in the Hampton Roads area. For a smaller arts district, it carries a lot of flair. “In comparison to larger arts districts like in Miami or New York, NEON is really walkable and accessible,” said McCall. “You can see 30 to 40 artworks just within two or three blocks. You can park once, take a self-guided tour and see a lot of incredible pieces. It’s a surprising caliber of art you can see.” In the middle of the district lies The Plot, an outdoor space with many uses. It contains a stage and stadium seating, making it an accessible and multi-faceted area. During the height of the pandemic, Norfolk activated certain parks for public gatherings. With live performances and open gatherings, the district’s open space enabled public events that helped boost small businesses

that call NEON home. It is a testimony to the community and helping the institutions that provide for visitors during a time of need. Recently, art tours begin at The Plot and the location hosts yoga sessions on select Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Started this past April, NEON began guided art tours throughout the district that will continue on throughout 2022. Join tour guide and local history buff Joshua Weinstein of Norfolk Tour Company for an afternoon in the NEON District on a free walking tour. Each tour provides an in-depth and up-close look at the neighborhood’s extensive public art collection, featuring murals, sculpture, temporary artwork and neon signs (details below). Anyone hoping to dig a little deeper into NEON may join the tours for free. Wear comfortable shoes, invite your friends—you can even bring along your dog. “Right now, we are focused on residential growth in NEON,” said McCall. “We’ve had a couple of vacant parcels within our district boundaries, so instead of reaching out and adding more blocks to the district, we are trying to do more development. We want to save the historic buildings and need more residents to make it more active. NEON might take up less space than art districts in other cities, but it rivals them with its originality and range of options. The average visitor has a wide selection of activities to choose from, ranging from arts to eats. The district provides a perfect getaway for individuals to get back outdoors and enjoy something original and beautiful.

NEON ART TOUR—The Plot 776 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 June 11, 2022 : 2-3 p.m. July 8, 2022 : 7-8 p.m.

Alex Marjanovich is a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in multimedia journalism and minoring in Russian.