New Banners Show Off Fredericksburg's Art

Downtown will be alive with artwork and color this summer with a visual addition to both Caroline and William streets. Banners depicting bright scenes of shopping, dining and the arts will adorn the lamp posts that line these popular areas. 

The banners were a collaborative effort by local artists, the Fredericksburg Arts Commission and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to highlight the Arts and Cultural District of Fredericksburg. The banners were designed by Adam Desio and feature the work of Bill Harris, Johnny Johnson, Paula Rose and Betsy Glassie. 

"The art community struggles because Fredericksburg is looked at as a historical town and not many tourists know about the arts," says Bill Harris. "The banners will bring people's attention to the arts."

The hope is to continue to depict the city as a regional destination for art and cultural activities. 

"The artwork speaks to Fredericksburg's diversity and adds a unique quality to unite the streets of downtown," says Julie Perry, City Staff representative on the Fredericksburg Arts Commission. 

The commission picked prominent artists in Fredericksburg to create the banners to show the excellency and quality of art found within the city.  

“A lot of people are surprised at the amount of art, as well as the quality of art when they visit Fredericksburg,” Harris says. 

The banners have already begun to go up around the downtown area, so be sure to keep an eye out for the artwork that defines Fredericksburg.