Central Nova News

The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts has announced that Nekisha Durrett, an artist based in Washington, DC, will create a public art installation for the Site See series at Waterfront Park in Spring 2025. This announcement marks Durrett as the seventh artist to contribute to this annual series since its inception in 2019.

Durrett was chosen by a community task force and approved by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. Her upcoming work will follow previous installations by Studio KCA (2024), Nina Cooke John (2023), R&R Studio (2022), Mark Reigelman (2021), Olalekan Jeyifous (2020), and SOFTlab (2019).

Diane Ruggiero, who leads the Office of the Arts and serves as a deputy director for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, stated: “The Site/See series has made Alexandria’s waterfront into a destination for engaging contemporary art. We love how the public has embraced these installations and we can’t wait to bring Nekisha to Alexandria to create the next chapter.”

Nekisha Durrett is known for her large-scale projects such as Queen City in Arlington, VA, which honors individuals displaced during Pentagon construction in 1941, and Airshaft at the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. She recently received a commission for Bryn Mawr College's ARCH Project with Monument Lab.

For those requiring disability accommodations or language interpretation services regarding this event or other city offerings, contact information is provided on official websites siteseealx.com and alexandriava.gov/publicart.

Durrett's work explores themes through mixed-media art that reflect histories often overlooked. Her practice includes various forms such as public art and sculpture. She holds degrees from The Cooper Union and The University of Michigan School of Art and Design.

Site See: New Views in Old Town is an annual temporary public art installation series aimed at showcasing innovative contemporary art at Waterfront Park. It seeks to foster community engagement with each piece informed by local history.

The Office of the Arts promotes arts within Alexandria through support of artists and cultural activities aiming to build an inclusive community environment.

As part of celebrating its rich history since 1749, Alexandria continues events marking its 275th anniversary underlining its role towards inclusivity over time.