Black History Through Arlington’s Public Art: Honoring Community, Resilience, and Growth

Arlington, Virginia, is a dynamic destination where history, culture and progress intertwine. Known for its innovation and diversity, Arlington celebrates and cherishes its Black heritage, honoring the communities and individuals who have shaped its identity. Through the Public Art Collection, Arlington showcases its commitment to telling these stories, celebrating the resilience, creativity and enduring legacy of Black communities.

Through the Public Art Collection, Arlington showcases its commitment to telling these stories, celebrating the resilience, creativity and enduring legacy of Black communities.

Pictured | Interior View of Queen City

From historically Black neighborhoods like Green Valley and Hall’s Hill to art installations that reflect pivotal moments in Civil Rights history, every piece of public art offers visitors an opportunity to reflect and connect. Whether you’re exploring solo, with family or as part of a group, Arlington’s Black heritage is woven into the fabric of its culture.

Queen City at Metropolitan Park

Nekisha Durrett’s Queen City, installed in 2023, stands as a monumental tribute to the Queen City community, displaced in 1941 during construction of the Pentagon. This 35-foot-tall brick tower is adorned with 903 ceramic vessels crafted by 17 Black ceramicists, symbolizing each displaced resident. Situated at Amazon’s HQ2 Metropolitan Park, Queen City is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for progress and the strength of community bonds. Its presence invites reflection on the resilience of Arlington’s Black history and its influence on the county’s identity today.

Queen City

Lunch Counter Sit-Ins Commemorative Prints at Bozman Library

Installed in 2023, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.’s letterpress artwork captures the voices of those who courageously participated in the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins in Arlington. Quotes from these peaceful protesters are immortalized through bold, vibrant prints displayed at the Bozman Library. This installation is a tribute to local activism and its role in the broader Civil Rights Movement. Visitors can experience these prints as a nod to the power of ordinary people fighting for justice and equality.

FREED at John Robinson Jr. Town Square

The heart of Green Valley beats stronger with Walter Hood’s design of the John Robinson, Jr. Town Square and sculpture FREED, a 30-foot golden sculpture installed in 2022. This iconic piece pays homage to Freedman’s Village, a sanctuary for emancipated individuals, and celebrates Green Valley’s rich heritage as a historically Black community. Featuring laser-cut patterns representing Green Valley’s historic subdivisions and Ghanaian Adinkra symbols that honor African heritage, FREED is truly a work of cultural art. Supported by a National Endowment for the Arts grant, this sculpture is a beacon and reminder of freedom, pride and unity for all who visit.

FREED

Wheelhouse at Jennie Dean Park

Jennie Dean Park has long been a cornerstone for Arlington’s Black community, serving as a hub for baseball and social gatherings in the 20th century. Mark Reigelman’s Wheelhouse, installed in 2022, reflects this legacy with a design inspired by industrial mills and the park’s vibrant energy on game days. This joyful piece invites visitors to appreciate the cultural significance of Jennie Dean Park while imagining the lively community spirit of its past.

John M. Langston Mural along Langston Boulevard

Renaming Lee Highway to Langston Boulevard in 2021 marked a pivotal moment for Arlington, and KaliQ Crosby’s mural commemorates this achievement. Celebrating abolitionist, educator and political leader John M. Langston, this artwork highlights the power of representation and historical acknowledgment. This vibrant mural invites visitors to explore Langston Boulevard and reflect on the importance of Arlington’s journey toward inclusion and racial equity.

John M. Langston Mural

The Family at Hall’s Hill/High View Park

Installed in 2004, Winnie Owens-Hart’s The Family is a heartfelt tribute to Hall’s Hill, one of Arlington’s historically Black neighborhoods. Depicting a man, woman and child holding hands, the sculpture features African scarification patterns and Braille, symbolizing unity, strength and cultural identity. As one of Arlington’s earlier Public Art pieces, The Family captures the pride and resilience that define Hall’s Hill’s community spirit.

Discover Black History Through Public Art

Arlington’s Public Art Collection offers an immersive way to explore Black history while experiencing the county’s dedication to diversity, community and culture. These installations not only preserve stories of resilience and activism but also inspire new conversations about unity and progress. Whether you’re visiting Arlington for a day or planning an extended trip, these works of public art should be on your itinerary. They’re more than installations — they’re living pieces of history that connect visitors to the past and celebrate the enduring legacy of Arlington’s Black communities.

Start planning your visit today and discover how Arlington Public Art continues to honor, educate and inspire. Learn more about Arlington Public Art here.

Author

Destiny Esper

Featured:

Queen City

Standing tall and vigilant, Queen City confronts the 1941 seizure of Black-owned land by the federal government for the construction of the Pentagon. With this work, 903 displaced residents of the Queen City neighborhood are represented by handmade ceramic vessels made in the shape and color of a drop of water.

In the spirit of collaboration, Durrett commissioned 17 Black ceramists from Washington D.C., California, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Georgia, Connecticut, Missouri, Florida, Minnesota, and Michigan to make 903 ceramic teardrop vessels that signify the displaced individuals of Queen City. In building this community, Durrett encourages the legacy of Queen City to live on in spite of its erasure. Community partners of this project include Arlington Arts, Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, Arlington Historical Society, and Center for Local History at Arlington Public Library.

Arlington Public Art welcomes three new public art projects associated with Amazon's HQ2 Met Park development: Queen City by Nekisha Durrett; Shhh by Aurora Robson and Untitled Perched Objects by Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle. As part of the Metropolitan Park Redevelopment Project, public art in Metropolitan Park is intended to inspire interaction and dialogue, and bring a sense of community, human connection, and intimacy to the park.

The Metropolitan Park Public Space project is a joint effort between JBG Smith and Arlington County as part of the Arlington County Board approved Met Park Redevelopment Project.

Learn more about Nekisha Durrett.Learn more about Metropolitan Park Public Space Project.

Website
Details