Highlights
Public art should be a tool for placemaking — creating meaningful
connections between people and places important to civic life.
Connections by Barbara Bernstein. Photo by Hoachlander Davis Photography
Updating the Public Art Master Plan
The Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) is getting an update! Adopted in 2004, the PAMP outlines a strategy for how public art will improve the quality of public spaces and the built environment in Arlington for civic placemaking. The update will revisit the vision, opportunities, locations, strategies, criteria, priorities, and procedures outlined in the original plan. Check out the project site for the latest information and for a listing of upcoming community engagement activities.
Put the “I” into C_vic!
In this season of political questioning, local artist Linda Hesh presents us with a way to voice our opinions. The “I” in this interactive sculpture is purposely missing so that you can pose for a photo standing in the artwork to Put the “I” into C_vic, and tell us what “civic” means to you. The installation is currently on view at 2045 15th Street N. Stop by and become the "I", post your photo on social media with #reimaginecivic or upload it directly to the project website. This program is part of Courthouse 2.0: Reimagining the Civic, a public art initiative aimed at sparking public conversation about the future Courthouse Square by exploring the interaction between civic space and civic life in Arlington in the twenty-first century.
Meeting Bowls Coming to Arlington In July!
Created by the Spanish collaborative mmmm…, the Meeting Bowls are social places for gathering, getting to know people, and fostering dialogue in small groups. Stop by to hang with friends, have lunch, conduct a meeting or simply relax. This space is for you, so enjoy! The playful urban furniture will be installed at 1310 N Courthouse Road from July 12 to November 1 (watch their construction on July 11). The Meeting Bowls will then be moved to Miami. Florida (November 15 thru December 23) to the Design District of Art Basel Miami, co-organized by the Spanish Cultural Center in Miami (CCE Miami). This project is made possible through a grant from Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), an agency that orchestrates public support for the promotion of culture, both in Spain and overseas. Visit the project page for more information.
Check out the Design for the New Ballston Quarter Pedestrian Bridge
Designed by Cleveland-based studioTECHNE|architects, the bridge will span Wilson Boulevard and connect the redeveloped Ballston Quarter to an existing pathway that leads to the Ballston Metrorail station. The design features a direct geometric approach, where the eccentric structure of the walkway oscillates between wall and roof. Check out the design on the project website.
Take a Tour
We recently updated the two extensive tours of our public art collection. Check them out and take a tour. Visit the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor or explore other neighborhoods including Route 1, Shirlington, and Columbia Pike.