Blue Heron Waterway Gallery

Sponsor Information

Blue Heron Waterway Gallery

The Blue Heron Waterway Gallery is an outdoor public art display located between the Great Bridge draw bridge and the Great Bridge locks in the Great Bridge Locks Park section of Chesapeake. This is the first – known waterway gallery in the US. The gallery is designed to highlight the natural beauty of Chesapeake while also attracting waterway visitors to our city.

About Us

Virginia Water Tourism Corp is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to promote tourism along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Through our GoChesapeake initiative, we work to promote Chesapeake as a waterway destination for the 10,000+ boaters that cruise through our city each year.

View all current Blue Heron statues here.

Interested in Sponsoring?

Download the sponsorship information packet and form below.

Our Program of Work

We host several hospitality events for the boaters during the spring and fall — the peak times they cruise through the city. We also produce several fundraising events in the community: The Marker 12 Boat Festival, Rock The Park and Rock The River. Our efforts help generate additional funding for schools, libraries, public safety, and transportation projects while also creating quality job opportunities for our citizens.

About Waterway Tourism

Each year, between 10,000 and 12,000 yachts travel through Virginia via the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW).

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, for every $1 spent by visitors, another $3 to $4 is generated across the economy.

Sadly, the majority of boaters cruise right through Chesapeake without stopping.

Chesapeake has literally been “missing the boat” when it comes to capitalizing on this economic sector.

Why Sponsor

Public art adds enormous value to the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality of a community. It is a well-accepted principle of urban design that public art contributes to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the sponsorship?

All fees associated with manufacturing the statue, the artist fee, installation of the statue and a plaque bearing your name as the sponsor.

How long will the statue last?

While we can’t offer any guarantees, the statues are made by the same materials and process used in the production of the Norfolk Mermaid statues. The Norfolk Mermaids were first installed in 2002 and have held up extremely well.

What is the process?

Upon receipt of your sponsorship agreement and sponsorship fee, our Project Coordinator will be in touch to discuss your goals and vision for the statue. An artist will be assigned, and you will be presented with a conceptual design. Once you’ve settled on the design, it generally takes 3 months to create and install the statue.