Virginia Beach Temporary Public Art Program

In addition to bringing temporary and unique artwork to our community, the program aims to create vibrant meeting places and raising the profile of public art in Virginia Beach on both a national and international platform.

​​​​​​​The City of Virginia Beach has outlined four major objectives for art and culture in the city:

1. Expanding the city’s public art program
2. Establishing and encouraging the arts and cultural districts
3. Using the city’s art and cultural resources as a tourism and development tool
4. Supporting the evolution of the city’s arts economy

The Community-Based Public Art Initiative celebrates the spirit and diversity across the city. All works are created for the community, by the community, and with community artists.

The Office of Cultural Affairs commissioned international muralist, Giuseppe Percivati, aka. “Pepe Gaka” to create a dynamic mural that embodies the spirit of Virginia Beach and the activities of the Rudee Inlet on the underpass columns of the Rudee Walkway that connects the marina to 4th Street municipal lot.

Giuseppe Percivati, www.pepegaka.com, is an Italian street artist with over eight years of international experience in private and public commissioned mural work. His design utilizes a geometric style, giving the impression of stained glass with the idea of creating a European cathedral-like atmosphere. In the artist’s words, “I want to create the idea that the whole underpass, in the area of the columns, is made of stained glass, giving lightness and brightness to the atmosphere.”

Artists from the Hampton Roads area were challenged to transform the iconic Mount Trashmore steps into a fun and lively public work of art. The City of Virginia Beach Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, sought out local artists to propose art concepts for a temporary painted mural on the stairwell next to Kid’s Cove. The submissions for the Mount Trashmore Stair murals came in, and the public voted for their favorite design. 

More than 7,000 votes were cast and “Helping Hands” by Aimee Bruce is the winner. Bruce’s design received over 50% of the votes, along with overwhelming positive feedback and public support. Aimee Bruce’s work added to the artistic landscape of Virginia Beach. The mural was installed in April 2018.

In partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, MOCA and the ViBe Creative District engaged internationally renowned artist, Maser for a two-week artist residency during Summer 2017/Winter 2018. Maser designed and created three large-scale projects connecting points of interest through the ViBe Creative District to MOCA.

• 19th Street Pop-Up Art Park
• MOCA Mural
• Stage in ViBe Park

The Virginia Beach Development Authority, in partnership with the Town Center Advisory Board and the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs, engaged local artist Richard Nickel to create the first one-of-a-kind murals on three interior walls of the Block 4 Garage at the Town Center of Virginia Beach.

Bright images and bright colors were Richard’s approach to welcoming visitors to the Virginia Beach Town Center.