Virginia is for lovers, and so is a new public art installation near Falls Church City Hall.
The art piece, which plays into the commonwealth’s iconic slogan while promoting the Little City as “a unique travel destination,” consists of a set of steel letters spelling out LOVE.
The mirror-like “L,” “V” and “E” are meant to celebrate the city’s diversity by allowing viewers to see themselves in the artwork, while an illustrated letter “O” features some of Falls Church’s cultural landmarks.
“Don’t simply view the art, become part of it,” the city said in a statement. “Your image joins a moving reflection of all who have stood here, making you an essential thread in the work of diversity and inclusivity.”
In collaboration with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Falls Church officials unveiled the new sculpture, titled “Reflection: Diversity and Inclusivity,” this morning (Wednesday) at 300 Park Avenue. It’s a bustling area that includes City Hall, a community center and the grounds of the Falls Church Farmers Market.
The concept for the sculpture came from Housing & Human Services Manager Ripal Patel last year as part of a design contest open to city employees. Watercolor artist Bill Abel, a former Falls Church resident, illustrated the letter “O.”
“What came together was what I hope is, just all the love and community that I felt when I lived here,” Abel, who moved in 2020, said at this morning’s event. “It really held me up during some hard times, but I really found that when I left here, I missed it so much.”
The new sculpture joins about 350 other art installations across the commonwealth inspired by the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan. It’s the only “LOVEwork” to appear within the Capital Beltway.
The piece cost $10,000 and was funded by the city’s 75-anniversary celebration budget in 2023. City Council selected the winning design in May after a series of lengthy discussions to narrow down the contest’s nine qualifying submissions.
“[Public art] sparks pride, brings people together and strengthens our local economy,” Mayor Letty Hardi said today. “Every selfie, every visit and every moment shared here tells the story of a small city with a big heart.”
