It used to feel like Downtown Norfolk’s eastern boundary stopped at busy Brambleton Avenue—but not anymore. Just beyond, the up-and-coming NEON District (New Energy of Norfolk) is drawing attention with its vibrant arts scene. The district connects to one of Norfolk’s cultural gems, the Chrysler Museum of Art.
Announcing all of this to residents and visitors is a distinctive branded wayfinding system. A revolving, illuminated cube sits atop a white saucer structure that once held a Greyhound Bus sign at the corner of Brambleton Avenue and Granby Street. In the heart of the district—home to the Hurrah Players, the PUSH Comedy Club, and numerous artist studios—elegant guideposts provide district directions and parking information.
The centerpiece of the system is a series of 200 six-inch colored glass discs, created by artists at the Chrysler’s Perry Glass Studio. Known as “breadcrumbs” and embedded in slip-resistant molds, these discs mark the pathway along the sidewalks of Grace Street and Olney Road, guiding pedestrians from the museum to the arts district.
WPA collaborated with Sway Creative Labs to facilitate the planning and design of the wayfinding system. The first phase was completed in time for the international Glass Art Society conference, hosted in Norfolk in 2017.
