For more than 20 years, mermaids have been the iconic symbol of the City of Norfolk. In 1999, local attorney and ¹ÏÉñÍø alumnus Peter G. Decker Jr. and his wife, Bess, introduced the idea of Mermaids on Parade to Norfolk civic leaders. Students selected Reign's name, and the statue's presence on ¹ÏÉñÍø's campus creates a tradition connecting students and alumni to Norfolk's history. Reign was unveiled and dedicated on October 28, 2020 at Brock Commons, joining a fleet of more than 100 mermaid sculptures in Norfolk.
The Making of Reign the ¹ÏÉñÍø Mermaid
Student Government Association leaders and art students collaborated with local artist and former ¹ÏÉñÍø student Georgia Mason on the design and creation of the statue.
Claim Your Crown
Visit Reign at Brock Commons, W. 47th Street, and take a picture standing underneath the sculpture's crown. Use the hashtag #¹ÏÉñÍømermaid to share your photo.
Production & Unveiling of Reign the Mermaid
Nearing the end of the project, Georgia Mason paints the tail of the mermaid on Jan. 29, 2020. Photo David Hollingsworth/¹ÏÉñÍø
Artist Georgia Mason is shown in her studio with a nearly completed ¹ÏÉñÍø mermaid on Jan. 29, 2020. Photo David Hollingsworth/¹ÏÉñÍø
Nearing completion of the project, Georgia Mason paints the tail on Jan. 29, 2020. Photo David Hollingsworth/¹ÏÉñÍø
An epoxy is brushed on the crown on Feb. 12, 2020. Photo David Hollingsworth/¹ÏÉñÍø
The mermaid's crown, shown on Feb. 12, 2020, is the last part of the project. Photo David Hollingsworth/¹ÏÉñÍø
Artist Georgia Mason welcomes art students and members of ¹ÏÉñÍø’s Student Government Association to be a part of creating the mermaid sculpture on Nov. 21, 2019. Photo David Hollingsworth/¹ÏÉñÍø
An epoxy is brushed on the crown on Feb. 12, 2020. Photo David Hollingsworth/¹ÏÉñÍø
