Vision Zero Public Art

The City of Alexandria Public Art Program is assisting with the planning and implementation of public art to support the City’s Vision Zero and transportation safety initiatives.
Page updated on Oct 17, 2024 at 5:02 PM
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Project Gallery

Image of street mural from bucket truck.
Image of the center of the mini-roundabout
Image of the Chalk Riot Crew
Close up of luminaria section of the street mural.
Close up of sunflower section of the street mural.
Close up of flower section of the street mural.
Muralist mixing paint
of
Grid View Close Modal
Image of street mural from bucket truck.
Image of the center of the mini-roundabout
Image of the Chalk Riot Crew
Close up of luminaria section of the street mural.
Close up of sunflower section of the street mural.
Close up of flower section of the street mural.
Muralist mixing paint

Hickory Street and Kennedy Street Mini-Roundabout

As part of a new transportation initiative in Warwick Village, Chalk Riot incorporated feedback from the community in their design for a colorful street mural at the intersection of Hickory Street and Kennedy Street, where a new mini-roundabout was installed.

Public art Project goals

  • Elevate the importance of safe intersections for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
  • Incorporate artwork that is reflective of the neighborhood’s identity and celebrates the culture, spirit and/or history of area.
  • Help strengthen the sense of community by engaging the local community and neighbors in the public art project.
  • Create safer streets for people that follow federal and industry guidance on best practices and address ADA guidelines.
  • Develop a pilot project that contributes to research and the larger knowledge base about public art and transportation.
Concept image showing locations of mural within the intersection.

Location

The mural was planned at the center of the mini-roundabout and within the curb extensions.

The shaded red areas in the exhibit to the right show the approximate locations of the street mural.

timeline

  • February 2024: Vision Zero Public Art Task Force Members appointed by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
  • May 2024: Public Art Project Plan approved by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
  • June 2024: Artist call opened for applications.
  • July 2024: Applications reviewed by the Public Art Task Force and the selection of Chelsea Ritter-Soronen of Chalk Riot was approved by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
  • August 27 & 28: Task force and community meetings. The community input questionnaire created by Chalk Riot was opened.
  • September 2024: Conceptual mural design and feedback.
  • September 17, 2024: Mural concept approved by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts.
  • October 2024: Design finalized and mural installed.
  • Beginning October 2024: Post installation observation.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.

About the Artist

CHALK R!OT is an all-women mural crew specializing in vibrant pavement art, including ephemeral chalk art, “3D” illusionary and immersive works, and industrial roadway installations. When not fulfilling corporate commissions or collaborating with non-profits or civic entities, they advocate for the strategic use of sidewalk chalk as a tool for positive social change. They are color-obsessed artists that believe in sidewalks, roads and walls as the world’s greatest canvases! Chalk Riot regularly works with city planning officials, property developers, and Business Improvement Districts to improve road safety with positively engaging pavement artwork. 

About the Project

Vision Zero is a City initiative and an international movement founded on the belief that traffic deaths and severe injuries are unacceptable. The FY2024-2026 Public Art Annual Workplanidentified Vision Zero coordination as a top public art program priority and describes numerous areas for project development and potential for coordination in order to meet the Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and severe traffic injuries in the City of Alexandria by 2028. A recent study by Bloomberg Philanthropies found that city streets became considerably safer for pedestrians after incorporating art into roadway designs.

The Public Art Annual Workplan recommends that a prototype project (or pilot) be initiated. An asphalt art pilot location has been chosen through coordination with the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services in an area where curb extensions are planned in the Warwick Village Neighborhood. For more information about the project, please review the Vision Zero Public Art Project Plan.

About Vision Zero

Vision Zero logo image

Vision Zero is Alexandria's plan to eliminate fatal and severe injuries on our streets by 2028.

Vision Zero is a City initiative that is founded on the belief that traffic deaths and severe injuries are unacceptable. In Alexandria, we recognize that deaths and severe injuries are not inevitable “accidents”. They are preventable crashes that can be ended through engineering, enforcement, and education.

About Us

Public Art in Alexandria

Public art is permanent or temporary works of art that have been planned in collaboration with the community and executed by artists with the specific intention of existing in the public realm, accessible to all.

Office of the Arts

The Office of The Arts promotes the value of arts and culture in Alexandria by nurturing, investing in and celebrating the creative contributions of artists and arts organizations. Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to the arts, the Office of the Arts works with local artists and arts organizations to build a vibrant community for all of the City's residents, workers and visitors.