Guide to National Landing’s Murals and Public Art
In National Landing, concrete and asphalt serve as a canvas for artists to turn urban streets into an open-air art gallery. The neighborhood is home to a constellation of colorful murals and art installations, as well as the unique and interactive Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s Innovation Studio + Store.
Wavves
1601 Crystal Drive
The Mount Vernon Trail entrance at Water Park makes its own splash, thanks to 245 linear feet of hand-drawn squiggly waves in soothing shades of blue. The “Wavves” mural is created by artist J.D. Deardourff and adorns the southern and western facing walls at the entrance to the Mount Vernon Trail near Water Park on Crystal Drive, connecting bikers and pedestrians to nature and the regional trail system.
Harmony
1750 S Clark St
It's impossible to miss artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer's vibrant “Harmony” mural as you travel through Crystal City Metro Plaza, which drenches a 20-foot by 115-foot wall with stripes in all the colors of the rainbow. Made with a radiant 23-color spectrum, Thalhammer hopes the piece is a bright spot for commuters.
Queen City
1330 S Fair Street
Artist Nekisha Durrett created a “cathedral-like" 35-foot tall cylindrical brick structure in Metropolitan Park to honor Queen City, the predominantly African American neighborhood that ceased to exist when the federal government seized Black-owned land in 1941 for the construction of the Pentagon. Duck inside "Queen City," and you'll find 903 handmade ceramic vessels, each constructed by 17 U.S. Black ceramists, which honor Queen City's 903 displaced residents.
Wonder Wander
3600 S. Glebe Road
Larry Kirkland's "Wonder Wander" installation features two granite monoliths each etched with eyes looking up toward the sky. At times, the sculptures are covered by a veil of water, transforming the the artwork's appearance and adding a sense of motion.
Rainbow Crosswalks on 23rd Street
Ground murals in the shape of a rainbow brighten up the intersections along S. Fern Street and S. Eads Streets. Originally installed in time for Pride Month 2024 with the help of local community leaders like Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant owner Freddie Lutz and the team at Equality Arlington, the rainbow installations are the first of their kind in Arlington and symbolize solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.
Mural23
Two well-known local muralists, MasPaz and Juan Pineda, joined forces to create a massive patchwork of neon geometric patterns and nature-inspired designs that span the length of 23rd Street. Artists Cita “CheLove” Sadeli and Jeff “Jahru” Huntington also contributed to the piece.
