Earlier today, Mayor Lea, the Roanoke Arts Commission, and members of the local arts community gathered in Century Plaza to unveil a new piece of public art: a chalk wall. Located at 14 Church Ave. SE in Downtown Roanoke, the chalk wall was developed through a partnership between multiple City departments and local partners.
Project Summary
Left with some funds in the Parks and Arts budget, the Roanoke Arts Commission wanted to invest in a public art project. Susan Jennings, Roanoke’s Arts and Culture Coordinator, asked local partners for ideas, and that’s when she was approached by Cindy McFall, Roanoke’s Community Recreation Coordinator. McFall successfully pitched the initial concept for the chalk wall. Once the project was approved, Matt Gart, Parks and Recreation’s Landscape Architect, sketched out initial plans for the eight-foot wall and reached out to Steel Dynamics, which donated the steel at no cost.
Roanoke’s Facilities staff built the wall by hand in September and by October it was ready for Dan Kuehl, a local middle school teacher and award-winning artist, to begin sculpting the wall’s artistic frame.
Planning an outdoor event?
Consider reserving Century Plaza for your next social gathering! With evening lighting, fountains, shade trees, a new chalk wall for guest notes, artistic Sister City sculptures, and plenty of room for tables, Century Plaza is the perfect venue for small to mid-sized urban social functions.
