by Jackie Nunnery –
Spring is in the air and now love is in Kilmarnock’s Town Centre Park. Community development coordinator Ashley Jones and Mayor Mae Umphlett unveiled the permanent LOVEworks on a cold and sunny Saturday, March 20.
The project has resulted from a partnership involving the town and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, which promotes the signs called LOVEworks, said Jones. The goal is to “showcase the hardworking men and women of the area who provide its stability and amazing quality of life. Each aspect of the sign is centered around the biggest industries around. The water, farming, forestry and watermen and waterwomen are the focal point for each letter showcased.”
Umphlett thanked everyone who took part in this “homemade” art installation, a labor of love by members of the town staff and council over the past year-and-a-half. According to Jones, a committee made up of town staff developed the idea. Former council member Keith Butler had a role in designing and building the structure; planning and zoning director Marshall Sebra, along with PJ Jones and the public works department, put much of the sign together; council member Mike Bedell did some of the painting. Local artist Sandy Matthews painted the “O” wood slice and the “V” ears of corn.
The new installation joins more than 200 LOVEworks around the state and more than a dozen in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, including the Main Street LOVEworks displayed by the Lancaster by the Bay Chamber every Halloween and Christmas.
Solar lighting will be installed in the future along with seasonal, themed decorations, said Jones. People are encouraged to tag their photos of the newest LOVEwork with @VisitVirginia or use hashtags #LOVEVA, #KilmarnockStrong.
