Shock Theater comes to Olde Towne. Saturday, November 16th, 2020.

Portsmouth wants in on arts-district trend

An I've Been Kissed toad sculpture outside the Children's Museum of Virginia, a Colonel Crawford statue facing the waterfront and a Playful Children mural in the next block are just a few of the artistic and cultural pieces sprinkled along High Street.

The Museum and Fine Arts Commission hopes to take those landmarks and more than two dozen other existing sites and create a Cultural Arts District for Portsmouth to better compete for tourists.

Visit the New Commodore James Barron Mural

A new mural depicting Commodore James Barron was recently commissioned by The Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art. The mural presents Commodore Barron in the foreground with the ships HMS Leopard and American frigate USS Chesapeake behind was created by Chesapeake, Virginia artist Sam Welty, who has also created a number of other exceptional murals throughout the historic Olde Towne district.  You can view the now completed mural at 612 Court Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.

Support Public Art in Portsmouth!

I love Portsmouth and I’m not afraid to say it! We rented a house in Portsmouth when we moved here from Detroit two years ago. It was a beautiful home with a stunning view on the James River. We discovered Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation, a gem of a nature center with kayaks on the river, the Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market, the Children’s Museum of Virginia, a huge hit with the grandchildren, the Portsmouth Community Concert Series, lots of great restaurants, a ferry ‘cross the river for a hassle free way to go to Norfolk, and much more. We were happy to be so close to a riverfront town that had so much going on.

Then I found out that some people in Hampton Roads (I’m talking to you Norfolk and Virginia Beach), look down their collective noses at Portsmouth and think of the city as a poor second cousin who showed up at your door for dinner on a Tuesday. I started reading about the politics, the schools, the tolls and the taxes. Then I went to the Gosport Arts Festival, Gospelrama on the river on a warm summer night, visited the Portmouth Arts and Cultural Center, and made up my mind that someone, maybe a lot of people, are doing something right in Portsmouth.

Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art Strike Again!

The SPPA’s newest murals are now mounted on Olde Towne’s New Colony Theatre, across from the Commodore Theatre. The three giant-sized works depict three musical giants who hailed from Portsmouth: Tommy Newsome, Ruth Brown, and Bill Deal.

We can all thank the SPPA volunteers for their pursuit of a cool and quirky Olde Towne vibe. Their creative ideas, fund-raising prowess, and ability to follow-through  continue to  make Olde Towne a fun and welcoming place for everyone. Visit them on Facebook!

Artists Transforming Electrical Boxes

Lovers of Olde Towne Portsmouth who have expressed a devotion to their neighborhood through public art have started a trend that continues to grow. First, the Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art bought the beloved toad at the entrance of the Children’s Museum of Virginia. Then Sam Welty was commissioned to create a commemorative War of 1812 mural along Effingham Street. Next, a decorative switchbox cover was installed at the intersection of Court and High Streets, and the city added another Welty creation on the Water Street Wall of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. Then Welty was asked to use his imagination to create a special children’s mural on a wall adjacent to the Children’s Museum.

Shortly after, a chalkboard-begging passers-by to list their answers to the question, “Before I die
I want too…” popped up in front of the Old Colony Theater. Now, hand-painted electrical boxes
are beginning to appear at High Street Landing.

Before I Die I Want To ... A New Public Art Installation In Olde Towne Portsmouth

A short interview with Dr. John Joyce, President of SPPA (Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art) regarding a new art installation on High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. Photos by Joe Elder.

The "Before I Die" chalkboard was started by Candy Chang, after the death of a person that she loved. She constructed and installed chalkboards on an abandoned house in New Orleans. It was all an experiment and she didn’t know what to expect. By the next day, all 80 prompts were filled and responses spilled into the margins. It’s now a worldwide art project which "invites people to reflect on their lives and share their personal aspirations in public space." Why in Portsmouth? Why not? Our citizens have just as many hopes and dreams as anyone else. We are not just part of Tidewater Virginia but part of the world. We need to let ourselves be heard.

Think Big with Portsmouth Public Art: Speaker John Joyce

The “I’ve Been Kissed” sculpture was installed by Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art in 2011 and the Piano Project is underway! Come out and hear about exciting changes in our Portsmouth public art scene from Dr. John Joyce!  Dr. Joyce is one of the founders of Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art.  He’s speaking at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center, formerly known as the Courthouse Galleries, at 400 High Street in downtown Portsmouth at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8th.   Call Trish Chalmers if you’d like a ride – or just want some company (757) 777-6523.

February 8th at 11:00 AM |  HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com for the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center

Think Big with Portsmouth Public Art: Speaker John Joyce

The “I’ve Been Kissed” sculpture was installed by Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art in 2011 and the Piano Project is underway! Come out and hear about exciting changes in our Portsmouth public art scene from Dr. John Joyce!  Dr. Joyce is one of the founders of Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art.  He’s speaking at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center, formerly known as the Courthouse Galleries, at 400 High Street in downtown Portsmouth at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 8th. Call Trish Chalmers if you’d like a ride – or just want some company (757) 777-6523.

Alli Awards honor area supporters of the arts

John Owen Joyce was given an Individual Arts Volunteer Alli for his leadership in beautifying Portsmouth, through the Supporters of Portsmouth Public Art and by helping to create an outdoor sculpture competition at the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center.