Two new sculptures were installed last Thursday (Aug. 22) along Richmond Highway, kicking off a public art campaign aimed at boosting community pride and enhancing the corridor’s visual appeal.
Positioned 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 taken by the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation (SFDC) to revitalize a 7 mile stretch from Ft. Belvoir to the Capital Parkway.
The “Faces of 1” campaign aligns with recommendations from a recent report by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), which suggested installing art pieces along the highway as one way to enhance the area’s appeal and improve quality of life for residents and visitors.
“We want to help tell the story about the faces of Route One,” SFDC Executive Director Evan Kaufman told FFXnow. “And so, we are planning on launching a website shortly that will explain the description of each of the sculptures, but then we’ll have a space for the community to interact, where they can provide input on different prominent faces of Route One, which might have been their grandfather or…a friend.”
Earlier this month, the SFDC signed a contract with Massachusetts-based artist Michael Alfano to lease 10 face-shaped sculptures for display along the highway.
The eight remaining pieces, some of which are still being crafted, are scheduled to arrive and be installed later this year — likely by the end of October or early November.
Kaufman says leasing the sculptures was more cost-effective for SFDC, allowing them to place multiple artworks along the corridor and offering the option to update the installations with different artists over time.
“It’s the start of something that hopefully can grow and expand,” he said.
Though the sculptures are only on lease for a year, Kaufman says some property owners have already voiced interest in purchasing the pieces at the end of the lease term.
“We think a lot of them will purchase it and keep it there,” he said. “But if not, we can move it, or keep it for another year…so it’s very flexible.”
According to Kaufman, the sculptures were strategically positioned near bus stops for maximum visibility to both drivers and pedestrians, following advice from property owners and Fairfax County planning staff.
“We figured that it had a built-in viewership, and why not have a great piece of art to look at while waiting for the bus?” he said. “This campaign offers access to high quality public art outside of a museum and allows people of all incomes and demographics to experience quality art.”
SFDC plans to keep the momentum going with future installations, steadily bringing more character and energy to the highway through other types of installations, such as murals and landscaping.
Although the details are still being finalized, Kaufman says SFDC is working to commission two murals in “different prominent places” in the Hybla Valley area, with plans to complete them by the end of this year.
Fairfax County planning staff and SFDC are also working together to replace the aging wooden sign that reads “Fairfax County — Gateway to America’s Historic Heritage” at the northern end of the corridor, with plans for a new design and enhanced landscaping.
“The goal is use every imaginable way to increase just the sense of place for the Route 1 community and public art is a great way to do that,” Kaufman said.
