LOCATION/CONTEXT: Huntersville is one of Norfolk's oldest communities and one of the first to offer homeownership to Black families. During the years of segregation, Huntersville was a self-sufficient community with places to work, shop, worship, and educate. There were corner shops and in-home businesses as well as businesses located within walking distance, many along Church Street or Chapel Street. Huntersville was one of the most cosmopolitan areas in the City with many African American, Asian, Jewish, and Eastern European families. Huntersville is home to many prominent individuals and organizations, including the oldest social service organization of Black women, many educators, and the founder of the New Journal & Guide, the oldest Black newspaper still in operation. The John T. West School, the first public high school for African Americans was built in 1906 to serve the community.

Huntersville is one of the most intact late 19th/early 20th century neighborhoods in Norfolk. As you walk around the neighborhood, you feel a strong sense of history. The houses with their tall windows, gabled roofs, and deep porches tell the story. These traditional houses are oriented to the street, so neighbors meet each other often and know what is going on. This was and continues to be a neighborly community with people looking out for each other. This strong sense of community identity is one of the neighborhood’s key assets.

Beginning in the 1960's, the ban on segregation in housing led many of the neighborhood's prominent residents to leave for the suburbs while long time elderly residents remained to be joined by persons of less fortunate circumstances who moved in as renters.

In 2014, neighborhood residents initiated and championed the Olde Huntersville Strategic Plan. The Plan addresses image and appearance, economic and business development, the physical conditions of the neighborhood, access to human services support, improved connectivity and circulation with all modes of transportation, creating safe and walkable streets, neighborhood marketability, and the expansion and upgrade of parks and recreation. New upgrades to the Huntersville Park are a part of the natural progression of the neighborhood.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The committee wants bright, energetic artwork that relates the stories of Huntersville, celebrating its rich heritage and history. Beautiful and meaningful, modern but not completely abstract, the artwork should stimulate thought and appeal to multiple generations. It should tell of a resilient neighborhood of people who speak for themselves, mentor their youth, and honor their elders. 

PROJECT SITE: Improvements to Huntersville Park will be implemented in phases. Phase one includes renovation of the playground with the addition of fitness equipment, new football goal posts, benches, and an additional picnic shelter. This phase is expected to be completed by late summer of 2023. The second phase includes resurfacing of the tennis courts, a walking path around the football field, a new park sign, and landscaping. This phase is currently being designed and is expected to be completed by fall of 2024. The Planning Committee imagines multiple pedestrian-scale artworks that tell the story of the neighborhood and encourage walkers to visual exploration around the new recreational path. A site plan is included.

SIZE/MEDIUM: The artwork should be pedestrian scale yet attract attention from vehicles on the adjacent and very busy Tidewater Drive. The artwork must be made of durable, permanent materials that are safe and easily maintained, standing the test of time and the elements. 

Application Requirements

The following materials are required:

1.      Statement of Understanding, online agreement of compliance to all State of Virginia codes. By submitting your application, you agree to the Statement of Understanding.

2.      Letter of Interest outline your interest in this project and how you will approach the artwork design and creation. (500-word max)

3.      Resume, maximum of two (2) pages, outlining your professional accomplishments. If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume not exceeding two (2) pages.

4.      Artwork Images, selection of up to ten (10) images representing artworks most relevant to the scope of this opportunity. 

5.      References, three (3) professional references, including name, affiliated organization (if appropriate), email address, phone number, and relationship to each reference.

Eligibility Criteria

This project is open to all artists over 18 years of age. Local artists of color are especially welcome to apply.