Now or Never

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."   -Aristotle

Public art is permanent or temporary works of art that have been planned in collaboration with a community and executed by artists with the specific intention of being accessible to all.

The Alexandria Commission for the Arts is responsible for reviewing and approving "public art project plans for specific public art projects, and artist selection and concept development."

For the last eight years the Alexandria waterfront park has served as a temporary home to visiting artists from around the United States.  From March to November of each year, the park is transformed into tangible art overlooking the Potomac River.

As we close out the Women's History Month, I would like to draw your attention to the eighth artist currently featured at the Alexandria, VA Waterfront Park, Alicia Eggert.

"Inspired by physics and philosophy, Alicia Eggert’s sculptures give material form to language and time across a variety of mediums."

Currently on display until November of 2026 are two large billboards facing each other with the single words "Now" and "Never" on each.

"The phrase “now or never” resonates on multiple levels. Collectively, it speaks to global challenges in which hesitation means opportunity lost. Individually, it reminds us that every moment is a turning point, an opportunity to choose one’s future and to live deliberately from this moment forward."

"By inviting people to move physically between the structures, the artwork underscores the possibility of finding common ground, even in polarized circumstances."