NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Zoo is unveiling the newly designed Norfolk mermaid statue that greets guests upon entrance on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The zoo’s staff selected Bob Langston, a full-time freelance artist from Virginia Beach, to redesign the beloved mermaid statue. Previously designing a Norfolk mermaid, Langston was able to stand out amongst many Hampton Roads creatives who submitted their design concepts.
Langston found inspiration for the mermaid refresh in the animals that call the Virginia Zoo home and the wild environments around them. A wide variety of animals species will be represented on this new statue, per a release.
“We are excited to celebrate our community and our Zoo through the rejuvenation of this beloved symbol of Norfolk. I anticipate that with the beautiful and skillful work Bob has crafted, this may easily become the most photographed mermaid statue in our area,” said Greg Bockheim, Executive Director of the Virginia Zoo.
The Virginia Zoo’s mermaid statue was last refreshed in 2010.