A new mural is taking shape in the heart of Fairfax City.
Richmond-based illustrator Bailey Sullivan is currently working on “Fox in the Flowers” and expected to finish painting tomorrow (Friday). The completed mural will be officially unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. on July 10.
Located on the second-story façade of the retail building at 10407 Main Street in Old Town Fairfax, the mural was commissioned by Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) as part of its “expanded focus on placemaking and tourism efforts.”
“The mural brings color, character, and a strengthened sense of place to the heart of the city,” the FCED said in a press release. “… The vibrant artwork features native flora, including crepe myrtles and dogwoods, surrounding the centerpiece, Fairfax City’s unofficial mascot, the Fairfax Fox.”
FCED staff worked with the City of Fairfax Cultural Arts and the Commission on the Arts to identify a suitable location for a mural that they specifically wanted to place in the historic Old Town district.
Currently home to Senberry Bowls and Marlowe Ink Tattoo, the commercial building at 10407 Main Street emerged as the most viable candidate in part because it’s already painted white. The city’s Board of Architectural Review limits painting on brick façades in the historic district.
“We’re continuing to explore additional locations and facades for future mural projects that align with the city’s placemaking and arts goals,” FCED spokesperson Brittany Jones said.
Known for “bold, floral-inspired artworks,” Sullivan says her work is often inspired by decorative European folk art with natural elements prominently featured. Among other projects, her work has appeared on U.S. postage stamps and book covers, including an autobiographical showcase of singer Dolly Parton’s fashion.
“For this mural in particular, I was inspired by the fable of the fox and the crow,” Sullivan said in a press release. “I’m honored to be able to paint in beautiful Old Town Fairfax and hope this piece sparks a little joy for those passing by.”
According to FCED CEO and Director Christopher Bruno, “Fox in the Flowers” will be the first of many projects in the department’s recently expanded emphasis on tourism, which was discussed at a Fairfax City Council meeting on May 27.
FCED and the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority reported to the council that the city was leaving opportunities — and money in the form of transit occupancy tax revenue — on the table due to its “lack of existing tourism programming.”
Proposed initiatives for the next couple of years included designing a new tourism brand and website to promote the city, working with George Mason University and its EagleBank Arena to raise awareness of local businesses, exploring a partnership with Visit Fairfax, and seeking a possible Destination Marketing Organization designation, which could bring additional resources and connections.
“Public art is more than just a creative feature,” Bruno said. “It’s an investment that shapes how people experience Old Town and why they choose to visit, explore, and stay here.”
A guide to all public art in Fairfax City can be found on the FCED website.
