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Harrisonburg finds unique way to showcase local art in downtown area

Crystal Graham
traffic cabinet art installation
An installer works on a piece of artwork at South Main Street and Bruce Street designed by Melissa Huryk. Photo courtesy City of Harrisonburg Public Works.

Harrisonburg is a little brighter than normal with local artwork on display on traffic cabinets throughout the downtown area.

Ten Harrisonburg Public Works cabinets have been transformed into pieces of art, displaying the works of local artists in the form of vinyl wraps.  The city has plans to enhance nine additional locations at a later date.

Artists were selected by a committee consisting of city staff and representatives from the Arts Council of the Valley and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.

“The installation of public art plays a key role in building community connectivity and creating a sense of place,” said Amy Snider, Harrisonburg Deputy City Manager, who helped spur the project forward. “Through collaboration with the Arts Council and HDR, the city was able to highlight local artists’ work, adding vibrant color to our intersections while creating a beautiful place that our community shares and is proud of.”

Selected artists and their cabinet locations include:

  • Gay Street & North Main Street – Bryan Luna
  • North Mason Street & Gay Street – Katie Cousins
  • Wolfe Street & North Main Street – Rebecca Gish
  • Wolfe Street & North Mason Street – Alex Dorney
  • North Main Street & Elizabeth Street – Jennifer Cottrell
  • Elizabeth Street & North Mason Street – Rachel Bryan
  • Court Square and North Main Street – Rosa Cruz
  • East Market Street & North Mason Street – Ver Ikeseh
  • South Main Street and West Water Street – Lana Lambert
  • South Main Street and Bruce Street – Melissa Huryk
public art traffic camera Harrisonburg Virginia
South Main Street and West Water Street traffic cabinet art designed by Lana Lambert. Photo courtesy City of Harrisonburg Public Works.

The city plans to highlight the artists behind the work through social media platforms and the city website.

“We have enjoyed seeing the response so far from the public and are excited to see collaboration in the city to make this happen for our community,” said Tom Hartman, Harrisonburg Public Works Director.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.