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Moses Myers House

323 E. Freemason St.
Open Saturday and Sunday

Noon–5 p.m.

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Reading Room
Wednesday-Friday
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

About the Myers House

The oldest Jewish home in America open to the public as a museum offers a glimpse of the life of an early 19th century merchant family.
More about the house

About the Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Art Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

Located in Norfolk

One Memorial Place,
Norfolk, VA
Get Directions

While You're Here

Visit our Museum Shop
and Zinnia Cafe.

Perry Glass Studio

A state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus. See a free glassmaking demo Tuesdays–Sunday at noon. Like what you see? Take a class with us! More about the Studio

The Myers House

The home of the first permanent Jewish residents of Norfolk, this historic house offers a glimpse of the life of a wealthy early 19th-century merchant family.
More about the house

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the Library

Wedding & Event Rentals

The perfect place for your big day or special event. Get the details

In-person Tours

Group tours are available for groups of 20 or fewer. More about tours

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Visit one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

About the Chrysler

Our story spans well over 100 years. See where we began, how we grew, and where we're going. Explore our history

News and Announcements

See what's happening at the Museum, read Chrysler Magazine, and find our Media Center. Read now

Location

One Memorial Place
Norfolk, VA 23510

Location

745 Duke Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6299

Always Free Parking

Get Directions

Visiting Artist Series

Bringing the world’s top glass art talent to Hampton Roads
Find out more

Studio Team

Meet the brilliant minds behind the Studio.
See the team

Give the Chrysler Experience

Share everything you love about the Chrysler Museum with a gift membership. Perfect for everyone on your list.

The Masterpiece Society

Learn about this innovative group of museum supporters.
Meet the Masterpiece Society

Planned Giving

Help ensure the long-term success of the Museum.
Learn about planned giving

Moses Myers House

323 E. Freemason St.
Open Saturday and Sunday

Noon–5 p.m.

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Reading Room
Wednesday-Friday
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

About the Myers House

The oldest Jewish home in America open to the public as a museum offers a glimpse of the life of an early 19th century merchant family.
More about the house

About the Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Art Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

Located in Norfolk

One Memorial Place,
Norfolk, VA
Get Directions

While You're Here

Visit our Museum Shop
and Zinnia Cafe.

Perry Glass Studio

A state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus. See a free glassmaking demo Tuesdays–Sunday at noon. Like what you see? Take a class with us! More about the Studio

The Myers House

The home of the first permanent Jewish residents of Norfolk, this historic house offers a glimpse of the life of a wealthy early 19th-century merchant family.
More about the house

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the Library

Wedding & Event Rentals

The perfect place for your big day or special event. Get the details

In-person Tours

Group tours are available for groups of 20 or fewer. More about tours

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Visit one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

About the Chrysler

Our story spans well over 100 years. See where we began, how we grew, and where we're going. Explore our history

News and Announcements

See what's happening at the Museum, read Chrysler Magazine, and find our Media Center. Read now

Location

One Memorial Place
Norfolk, VA 23510

Location

745 Duke Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6299

Always Free Parking

Get Directions

Visiting Artist Series

Bringing the world’s top glass art talent to Hampton Roads
Find out more

Studio Team

Meet the brilliant minds behind the Studio.
See the team

Give the Chrysler Experience

Share everything you love about the Chrysler Museum with a gift membership. Perfect for everyone on your list.

The Masterpiece Society

Learn about this innovative group of museum supporters.
Meet the Masterpiece Society

Planned Giving

Help ensure the long-term success of the Museum.
Learn about planned giving

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October 5, 2020

The Chrysler Museum Inaugurates its New Sculpture Park in Downtown Norfolk with a Whimsical Artwork

                                              This rendering and site design by Work Program Architects for the Chrysler                                                Museum depicts Jumbo Wumbo Technico by Tommy Fox.

This rendering and site design by Work Program Architects for the Chrysler Museum depicts Jumbo Wumbo Technico by Tommy Fox.

NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 5, 2020) – The Chrysler Museum of Art is breaking ground this week on a new sculpture park at the intersection of Brambleton Avenue and Yarmouth Street. Jumbo Wumbo Technico, a vibrant 32-foot sculpture by Richmond artist Tommy Fox, will anchor the space. Installation will be complete by Oct. 31. Jumbo Wumbo Technico was commissioned by a generous group of donors and gifted to the Museum by J. Douglas Perry; Thomas L. Stokes, Jr. and Joseph T. Waldo with support from Thomas W. Godfrey, Jr.; Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc.; John E. Payne, Jr. and Thom White, Work Program Architects. Colonna’s Shipyard produced the “trunk” and “branches” of the structure at their facility.

The sculpture park sits at the transition point between Ghent, the NEON District, and Freemason and will serve as a southern gateway to the Museum campus, signaling the proximity of the Museum to passersby and inviting them to visit. “The Chrysler Museum is excited to install a bright and whimsical element for the community to enjoy. The importance of establishing a work of art and signage that directs people to the Chrysler Museum from Brambleton Avenue has long been recognized as a priority. During an extensive review process, we have enjoyed support from the community as well as several organizations, including the Ghent Civic League, NEON District, Downtown Norfolk Civic League, Norfolk Architectural Review Board, Planning Commission and Norfolk City Council. We are delighted to beautify this area of Norfolk,” said Museum Director Erik Neil.

Committee members who commissioned the sculpture were drawn to the artist’s creativity, inquisitiveness and collaborative nature. Fox’s primary focus has been on whimsy, adventure and the rewards of looking closely, which appealed to the donors. Jumbo Wumbo Technico is the first large-scale piece for the artist, who usually works in paint and mixed media.  He describes his work for the Chrysler as “a lofty whimsical tower” that uses color theory and visual contrast to create a design that is bright, accessible and pleasing to all.

“Whether the viewer spends a moment looking up or an afternoon in the grass, I encourage them to ponder happily and dream with abandon,” he said. “Living in a world that is increasingly skeptical of old systems and values, I felt the need to incorporate modern colors and materials at the forefront. The playful symbols—affectionately called ‘splox’—are open to interpretation rather than prescribed to the history of one man or one war. In the place of severe, imposing reminders of a past that didn’t always offer equity or accessibility, I hope to relate a vision of joyful fellowship and boundless possibility.”

The Chrysler will celebrate the artist, donors and partners who made this project possible during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 31 at 11 a.m.

ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART

The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished mid-sized art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The core of the Chrysler’s collection comes from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid art collector who donated thousands of objects from his private collection to the Museum. The Museum has growing collections in many areas and mounts an ambitious schedule of visiting exhibitions and educational programs each season. The Chrysler has also been recognized nationally for its unique commitment to hospitality with its innovative gallery host program.

The Perry Glass Studio is a state-of-the-art facility on the Museum’s campus. The studio offers programming for aspiring and master artists alike in a variety of processes including glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, coldworking and neon.

In addition, the Chrysler Museum of Art administers the Moses Myers House, a historic house in downtown Norfolk, as well as the Jean Outland Chrysler Library. For more information on the Chrysler Museum of Art, visit chrysler.org.

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For more information, interview assistance, or a high-resolution image suitable for publication, please contact Amber Kennedy at The Meridian Group at (757) 340-7425 or Amber@themeridiangroup.com.