There is no published guide to finding the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s unique works of public art.
It’s more of an informal collection that has been added to, here and there, by towns and business owners.
Finding them all makes for a fascinating day of area sightseeing.
Public art is a recent addition to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Statues, murals, and even massive mosaics put color and vibrancy in downtowns and streetscapes.
CAPE CHARLES: The 7-foot-tall King Neptune on the Bay Avenue Beachfront was installed in 2015. It was created by sculptor Paul DiPasquale. It served as a model for the larger King Neptune statue in Virginia Beach. It was donated for display in Cape Charles by Wyndham Price.
“Murals bring walls to life,” said Michael Rosato, the Maryland artist who completed the three-story-tall Chincoteague Main Street mural in 2024.
“It can transform a building – sometimes it can transform people in front of it,” he said.
Murals also can commemorate timeless Eastern Shore characters.
Muralist Seth Lubaton stands in front of a replica of late artist Willie Crockett’s painting on the upper story of 39 Market St., Crockett’s former studio.
A tribute to late artist and Tangier native Willie Crockett is on display outside his former studio in Onancock.
Crockett passed away in 2021 and was famed for his artistic talent, Tangier accent, and natural storytelling abilities.
The mural is one of three undertaken by Onancock Main Street, a nonprofit organization that works with the town to “ensure the continued vibrancy and preservation of historic downtown Onancock,” according to its website.
Seth Lubaton, who painted the mural, studied Crockett’s works that use both watercolor and oil paint to capture the movement of water featured in many of his paintings.
“He was just a prolific artist and painted so much,” he said.
On Chincoteague Island, one of the Eastern Shore’ first murals memorializes Ruby Lee Daisey, who overcame developmental disabilities to become an upbeat island fixture.
Daisey, who died at the age of 57 in 2003, was known for helping whenever and wherever she was needed.
In addition to the pieces of art depicted on pages 7 to 9, there are other murals around the Eastern Shore, including in Wachapreague and Parksley. Monuments to Francis Makemie, the founder of American Presbyterianism, also can be found in the northern Accomack community of Makemie Park and in downtown Accomac behind a church bearing his name.
