Grass Roots Effort Helps Build Community Through Art

Watch the dedication here.

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The coastal Ocean View community is anxiously awaiting a new addition in October. “Chryshellis", an 8-foot tall, fire-glazed porcelain and tile mosaic, by Nevada-based mosaic artist and concrete sculptor Eileen Gay will be the community’s next piece of public art.  Scheduled for installation in Ocean View Beach Park, the coastal inspired sculpture will add beauty and interest to the park and the community. A dedication will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Ocean View Beach Park, located at 100 W Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23503. The public is invited to attend.

Made possible through a private partnership match between NorfolkArts and Coastal VA Plein Air, Eileen was commissioned following a nation-wide search to create a sculpture that represents the salty integrity of Ocean View and highlights the area’s uniqueness and natural beauty. The curved shell-like exterior encasing an interior sunrise mosaic does just that and more!

Launched in 2019, Coastal VA Plein Air established a goal of placing a piece of public sculpture in the Ocean View area of Norfolk, Virginia. The organization targeted raising funds that would be matched by a grant from NorfolkArts. A truly community effort raised these funds with the main fundraising event being the Coastal VA Plein Air Festival where artists gather to paint throughout the Tidewater region. A culminating event offers the art for sale to the community with partial proceeds going to funding the public art. Funds also were garnered from local sponsors who gave time, effort, and money to support the fundraising goal. Coastal VA Plein Air is most grateful to its artists, volunteers, sponsors, and donors, including East Beach Realty, East Beach Institute, Karla’s Beach House, Ocean View Business Association, Crystal Palate Heather G Hunter Photography, Rotary Club of Norfolk, COVA Brewing Company, Spark Factory, East Beach Living Magazine, Lin Miller Realty, Marathon Development Group, Bonaventure, the Attic at East Beach, East Beach Urgent Care, East Beach Neighborhood Association, O’Connor Brewing, and Zimmer Development Company.