Last Thursday (August 22), two new sculptures were installed along Richmond Highway, kicking off a public art campaign designed to build community pride and enhance the visual appeal of the corridor.
Located at Mount Vernon Plaza on Fordson Road and outside the North Hill Residences in Hybla Valley, respectively, the Liquid Sunshine and Beacon installations represent the first steps by the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) to revitalize a 4-mile stretch of Route 1 from Hybla Valley to Fort Belvoir.
The Faces of 1 campaign is in line with the recommendations of a recent report by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), which suggests installing artwork along the highway as a way to increase the area’s attractiveness and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors.
“We want to help tell the story of the faces of Route One,” Evan Kaufman, executive director of the SFDC, told FFXnow. “So we plan to launch a website shortly that will describe each of the sculptures. But then we’ll also create a space for the community to interact and give feedback on various prominent faces of Route One that might have been their grandfather or… a friend.”
Earlier this month, the SFDC signed a contract with Massachusetts-based artist Michael Alfano to lease ten face-shaped sculptures for display along the highway.
The eight remaining pieces, some of which are still in production, are scheduled to arrive and be installed later this year – probably in late October or early November.
Kaufman says leasing the sculptures was more cost-effective for SFDC because it allowed them to place multiple artworks along the corridor and provided the option to update the installations over time by different artists.
“It’s kind of the beginning of something that can hopefully grow and expand,” he said.
Although the sculptures are only leased for one year, Kaufman said some owners have already expressed interest in purchasing the pieces at the end of the lease.
“We think a lot of them will buy it and leave it there,” he said. “But if not, we can move it or keep it another year or whatever, so it’s very flexible.”
According to Kaufman, the sculptures were strategically placed near bus stops on the advice of property owners and the Fairfax County Planning Department to ensure maximum visibility for both motorists and pedestrians.
“We thought there’s a built-in audience, and why not have a great piece of art to look at while you wait for the bus?” he said. “This campaign provides access to high-quality public art outside of a museum and allows people of all income levels and demographics to experience high-quality art.”
SFDC plans to maintain the momentum with future installations and continually add character and energy to the highway through other types of installations, such as murals and landscaping.
Although details are still being worked out, Kaufman said the SFDC is working to commission two murals at “various prominent locations” in the Hybla Valley area, with completion scheduled for later this year.
Fairfax County planning staff and SFDC are also working together to replace the old wooden sign reading “Fairfax County – Gateway to America’s Historic Heritage” at the north end of the corridor, with plans for a new design and improved landscaping.
“The goal is to increase the Route 1 community’s sense of place in any way possible, and public art is a great way to do that,” Kaufman said.
