As we mark MLK Day, we reflect on community and collaboration. These glass tiles were created by Kempsville residents during our summer workshops and are now coming together on our studio tables for color and sizing. Titled “Harbor of Stories”, this public artwork is being shaped by many hands and diverse voices, inspired by the waterways that connect Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Over the summer, residents and stakeholders participated in hands on glass workshops, creating fused glass tiles that will become part of the finished sculpture. These tiles are currently laid out in the Washington Glass School studio, where they are being reviewed for color, scale, and placement. Seeing them together reveals how much energy, care, and individuality the community has brought to the project.
In addition to the fused tiles, the sculpture will include narrative cast glass panels that speak to the history and character of the area. Together, these elements will be set into a large steel structure designed as an abstracted sail form.
The design draws inspiration from the waterways that connect Norfolk and Virginia Beach, reflecting movement, flow, and shared journeys. Titled Harbor of Stories, the sculpture is intended to serve as a welcoming landmark and a visual expression of Kempsville’s identity, shaped by the people who call it home.