Barraud Park, a cornerstone of Norfolk’s history, has long played a vital role in the community. Officially opened in August 1928, it was the first park funded by the city to serve the African American community during the Jim Crow era. Named after Alfred V. Barraud, who donated part of his land, the park’s name carries a complicated legacy. The Barraud family, successful merchants who worked with George Washington and shipped goods to England, also reportedly offered rewards for the capture of runaway slaves, leading to questions about the park’s name and its symbolism. This conflict highlights the struggle of reconciling historical progress with painful legacies.

Designed with beautiful landscaping, open spaces, and recreational areas, Barraud Park has evolved into a hub for community life. It features an amphitheater, basketball courts, football fields, tennis courts, and baseball areas. For Arthur Ashe, the legendary tennis player and civil rights advocate, it was the only place in Norfolk where Black players could practice during segregation. The park’s significance as a space for racial integration in sports remains a powerful part of its history.

For decades, Barraud Park was also home to a successful boxing program that nurtured talent, including Keyshawn Davis, the current world lightweight boxing champion. The park's boxing center, which helped train Olympians like Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, was instrumental in developing young Black athletes. Coach Gloria Peek, a trailblazer for women in boxing, also made history as the first woman to coach male boxers at the Olympics in 2012.

In the world of baseball, Sam Allen, a notable figure from the Barraud neighborhood, contributed to the sport during the era of segregation, playing in the Negro Leagues before MLB integration. His legacy is a reminder of the resilience of African American athletes during a difficult time in history.

Barraud Park also once housed a small zoo, which became controversial due to the portrayal of a monkey that sparked racial tensions. The zoo’s history serves as a painful reminder of how even public spaces could reflect the racial prejudices of the time.

Despite its complex history, residents of Norfolk share a profound emotional bond with Barraud Park, viewing it as a sanctuary built for their community, a place where they felt protected and embraced. For many, it is not just a park but the heart of their city—a space that has always belonged to them. Over the years, it has been a gathering place for family events, church picnics, and community celebrations like Easter and Father’s Day. The park has been a constant source of joy, connection, and pride, where generations have come together to create lasting memories.

 Today, Barraud Park continues to be a beloved space, undergoing a $4.5 million facelift to improve accessibility and parking, while preserving its historical charm. As a gathering place for both recreation and community events, it remains a vital part of Norfolk’s cultural landscape.

THEME/STYLE: The proposed theme for public art at Barraud Park envisions a series of interconnected artworks that reflect the park's rich history and its significance to the Norfolk community. These pieces should be healing, offering space for reflection on both the struggles and triumphs experienced there. They will showcase the park’s role in overcoming segregation, celebrating resilience, and honoring moments of joy and unity.

The artworks should be interwoven, creating a visual journey that ties together different stories, from local athletes to cultural events. Each piece will build on the others, telling a larger narrative. Thought-provoking and symbolic, the art should inspire reflection on the past while encouraging optimism for the future, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to heal and unite the community.

SIZE/MEDIUM: The artworks at Barraud Park will be viewed by pedestrians, so the scale should vary to create an engaging experience—some pieces could be small and intimate, inviting personal reflection, while others might be larger and more commanding, drawing the attention of those across the park. The mediums should be chosen with durability in mind, ensuring that they can withstand the elements and the passage of time. Materials such as weather-resistant metal, stone, ceramics, or durable mixed media will be considered. The size and medium should balance aesthetic appeal with the park’s natural landscape, allowing the art to blend harmoniously with the environment while still standing out as powerful expressions of the community's history and resilience. Site map attached.

PROJECT FUNDS: The total budget for the completed, delivered, and installed artwork is $115,000. This will cover artist’s honorarium, engineering, fabrication, installation, materials, shipping, insurance, and travel expenses necessary to complete the project, project plaque, final documentation, and any incidental expenses. The artist must hire a Virginia licensed contractor to install the artwork. The selected artist may be asked to present a community educational workshop or presentation.

Up to three finalists may be selected to be virtually interviewed by the Art Planning Committee. The finalists are not expected to complete a design at this stage but will be interviewed about past work and creative process. The committee reserves the right to select the final artist without a finalist process.

Please note that a city contract will be issued with a design phase requiring review and approval by the Norfolk Arts Commission prior to fabrication.

The selected artist must carry a Commercial General Liability Insurance Policy naming the City of Norfolk as an additional insured and must provide certificates of insurance to that effect guaranteeing thirty (30) days written notice before any changes to the policies become effective. Insurance can be purchased, and certificate presented after the first payment is made. If the artist employs anyone in connection with this work, the artist must carry a workers’ compensation insurance policy and an automobile liability insurance policy, if appropriate. The artist shall also be responsible for assuring that subcontractors, if there are any, meet the same insurance requirements.  

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. (2000-character 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.  While not mandatory, you may include sketches of a proposed idea as one or more of your 10 images.

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

Eligibility Criteria

All artists who are residents of the United States are eligible to apply.