Go for an Art Crawl!

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The story below is from our September/October 2022 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you! 

Make an afternoon out of discovering and admiring local artwork throughout the city.

At some point during the last decade – when many of us weren’t looking – something remarkable happened: Roanoke became a place that’s splashed and sparkling with public art.

Tall sculptures gleam beside bus stops. Murals bloom across once-abandoned buildings. Even signal boxes and storm drains have become canvases for creativity – and that’s all part of the plan.

“When we invest in our community and put public art out there, it makes people say, ‘What can I do on my part?’” says Douglas Jackson, Roanoke’s arts and culture coordinator. “There’s growing recognition around the country of the role arts can play in all kinds of community development.”

And the magic of living in a community committed to art is that anyone can enjoy it. It’s in that spirit that we created a downtown walking tour of public or publicly-viewable art pieces – some familiar, others less so. And whether you tackle it all in one day or savor it slowly, know this:

This art is for everyone … and that means you.

Stroll down the Art Walk at Elmwood Park

If you’re looking for the perfect place to start your tour, you’d be hard-pressed to think of a better spot than the downtown Art Walk. Tucked beside the public library near Elmwood Park, this walkway is lined with a colorful collection of outdoor sculptures, each with a story to tell.

Take Cat Chiu Phillips’ “Kites V,” for instance. These playful kites seem constructed from frilly white lace – but look closer, and you’ll notice they’re actually woven from discarded plastic bags. It’s a reminder of the ways we might turn everyday trash into treasure.

Walk a little farther, and you’ll spot a towering silver flower opening toward the sky. “Steel Blossom” is the creation of Béatrice Coron, who fretted its petals with dozens of images referencing Roanoke’s industrial past, present and future. Scan the nearby QR code to download a key to the symbols.

Meander through the market … & dive into Dorothy Gillespie’s colorful world

From the Art Walk, you can amble down a shady path to Pearl Fu Plaza, where the Friendship Fountain splashes. Keep going, and you’ll pass by multiple art galleries (and spots to stop for lunch, too).

But first, hang a left into Center in the Square, cross the lobby and look straight up. See those metal squiggles climbing the six-story wall in front of you – the ones that look cut from curly wrapping-paper ribbon? Those are the handiwork of the late Dorothy Gillespie – one of the most widely known artists from the Star City. Gillespie’s whimsical work is sprinkled all over the Valley, and once you train your eye to recognize her distinctive style, you’ll see it everywhere…

… hovering overhead in the Williamson Road Library.

… glistening in the window displays of the LinDor Arts gallery.

… or splashing across an enormous wall at One City Plaza.

See if you spot other pieces on your walk.

Try the Taubman

No downtown art tour would be complete without a stop at the Taubman Museum of Art. The building’s gleaming glass-and-metal angles — designed by Randall Stout Architects — are meant to reflect the peaks and valleys of the nearby mountains. If the museum is open, pop in – general admission is free, and you’ll find plenty of art for all ages. (Bonus: take the elevator to the third floor for a stunning balcony view.)

Get to know Gainsboro

Ready for your next stop? Head down Salem Avenue to the pedestrian bridge spanning the railroad tracks (hint: an elevator is located in the Wells Fargo tower if you’d like to skip the stairs). Once you’re on the other side, you can pop into the Hotel Roanoke’s Pine Room for a beverage or bite, and then make your way over to the sculpture plaza on Wells Avenue. The alcove provides a quiet spot to contemplate “Recoil” – a thought-provoking bronze by Mark Yale Harris – and a display introduces visitors to the Gainsboro neighborhood … a storied community that nurtured many of Roanoke’s most instrumental Black innovators, activists and artists during segregation.

Get up close & personal with Global Harmony

Look around — you’re now just steps from one of the city’s largest pieces of public art.

You might have caught a glimpse of a giant golden-brown hand as you flashed past on I-581, but seeing it at close range is a different story. From below, “Global Harmony” looms, gripping its mirrored orb tight. The creation of Stephen Fairfield, the sculpture was commissioned by the city to celebrate the region’s diversity. To see it, follow Wells toward Williamson, and cross traffic carefully to the nearby magnolia grove. (Bonus: on a hot day, the fountain is a misty spot to cool off.)

Wind up your tour with a spot to reflect … and dream

From here, you can easily retrace your steps, but if you’re craving a little more, walk down to the Martin Luther King Jr. pedestrian bridge. There, you’ll find a seven-foot bronze of the bridge’s namesake.

As you cross over into downtown, you can walk toward Kirk Avenue to visit the LinDor Arts Gallery, head over to the Municipal Building to see the city’s collaborative “End Racism Now” mural on Campbell, or put the finishing touches on your tour with dinner at Fortunato. Ask for a seat in sight of the airbrushed art piece by local artist Toobz Muir, who used a van door harvested by Black Dog Salvage as the base for this one-of-a-kind work. It’s the perfect place to reflect on your day of artistic exploration… and to dream up some creative exploits of your own.

On the prowl for your personal art collection?

Once you’ve explored some local art, you might find yourself hankering from a little of your own.  Here are a few spots to hunt for original creations … and some tips from local artists about how to begin your home collection.

Don’t be afraid to duck into a gallery

The region is dotted with dozens of shops offering art for sale … but galleries can sometimes intimidate new art shoppers.

“Just walk in the door and speak to the person at the desk. Introduce yourself and tell them that you’ve never been in a gallery before but you love art,” recommends Annie Schultz, an artist who regularly displays her work at the Market Gallery. And if you’re concerned about those price tags, don’t be afraid to search the bins for unframed art, she says, which you can frame as your budget allows: “After you have bought your first piece of art, you are officially an art collector and you will be hooked!”

Consider a gallery crawl during Art by Night – a free event held on the first Friday of each month, when downtown galleries keep late-night hours with laid-back vibes. You can drop in for artist talks, refreshments or live demonstrations.

Attend an art show

Larger shows can expose you to a wide swath of styles at once – a perfect way to discover your tastes. “There is no one style of art that is better than another,” says local artist Judith Lochbrunner. “Always go back to the art that fulfills you, makes you happy, [or] gives you peace.”

The Annual Sidewalk Sale at the Taubman Museum is a favorite spot to meet talented artists … but if you’ve got an eye for up-and-comers, consider student shows at local universities, too.

Take an Open Studios Tour

Each year, the Open Studios Tours in Roanoke and Botetourt allow visitors a peek into artists’ paint-splashed workspaces.

“Open studios and workshops allow you to talk with the artist, ask questions about their process, their materials, their inspiration,” says Lochbrunner.

Roanoke’s tour is held in April, while Botetourt’s is scheduled for October 22-23.  Visit openstudiosbotetourt.com and openstudiostourroanoke.com to see participating studios.

The story above is from our September/October 2022 issue. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!