Norfolk does have a sense of place

Unfortunately for some advocates, Norfolk may not be the place for food carts, a public arts district and a tech corridor, dubbed vibrant city initiatives by city officials. 
Fortunately for others, Norfolk is a vibrant city already. 

Look at this past weekend.

The Virginia Beer Craft Festival.

The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival.

And others.

Yes, Norfolk does have a sense of place.

It may not be what people want to make it. But Norfolk and its step-sister, Portsmouth, do have a sense of place.

Walk through Ghent or downtown Norfolk.

Or cruise down the streets of Olde Towne and Port Norfolk in Portsmouth.

Yes, we do have a sense of place.

We are a working waterfront, a river port. Ships, tugs, yachts, power boats ply these waters.

A working river, with working people who like to party, eat and have fun. Sometimes some of them might buy some art.

Or maybe they won’t buy art.

But usually they attend the beer and wine festivals. 

I can’t speak to Chicago, though the Windy City is New York without the chip on its shoulder.

Nor can I speak to DC, though I have crawled through the streets of Georgetown as a college student in search of the best bars on the block.

But I can speak to Philadelphia, since I roamed the corridors of the city’s museums as a child with my grandfather, an artist.

Take away the Love sculpture, which the city fathers hated at the time, and Philly would not be a lesser place.

Take away the Rocky statue in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum, which the city fathers tried to have banned, and Philly would not be a lesser place.

But take away the museums and Philly would definitely be a lesser place.

Philly was known as a sleepy town at one time. And New York was considered the City.

Going to the city meant going to New York. It didn’t mean going to Philly.

But Philly has changed.

People changed it.

People from everywhere converged on Philly. It also helps that Philly is home to Drexel, Temple and Penn, and other universities and colleges in and around the city of Brotherly Love.

But enough of Philly.

Yes, Norfolk does have a sense of place.

It may not be public sculptures or whatever the latest fad city officials and possibly segments of the community may adopt and promote.

Let’s be real, tangible and honest.

Let’s unveil the true Norfolk.

Or perhaps the true Norfolk may offend.

To some people, New Orleans is offensive. But it has style.

So let’s find Norfolk’s style.