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The 10 Coolest LOVEworks Signs Across Virginia
By Meghin Moore
September 23, 2022

Have you spotted giant LOVE signs across the commonwealth? We found some of the coolest ones, because Virginia is for lovers, after all!

The Virginia LOVEworks signs aren’t just sprinkled throughout the state for art’s sake! They are actually part of a statewide program that’s designed to promote travel throughout the commonwealth, as well as strengthen the awareness around the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan. That slogan has actually been the state slogan for the last 50 years.

You might have seen the signs at various Welcome Centers around the state, and in 2013, the Virginia Tourism Corporation established a LOVEwork Reimbursement program. With 16 LOVEworks signs created during the program’s first year, it’s gone on to become a success, with more than 300 LOVEworks signs constructed throughout Virginia since then.

We’ve picked out 10 of the coolest LOVEworks signs, which wasn’t an easy feat, but we’ve organized those 10 favorites by locality in alphabetical order.

Bedford

Nestled at the foot of the Peaks of Otter mountain range across from the family’s packing house/sales room and surrounded by apple and peach orchards sits the Peaks of Otter Winery LOVEwork. A creative design made by local artists and orchard staff representing the elements of this 6th generation family farm.

You might recognize the Peaks of Otter Winery at Johnson’s Orchard from our apple picking post, but we appreciate how they decorated the giant apple for the fall. It’s fun and festive.

Photo Credit: Lovicarious on Instagram

Chesapeake

The central theme of the Chesapeake LOVEwork is the natural beauty and great outdoors in the surrounding area. In Chesapeake there are miles of gorgeous green spaces, free parks, and over 22 miles of water ways making it a refuge for wildlife.

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you! This LOVEworks sign features some of the animals that can be found in the area, including the blue crab, some river otters, a blue heron, and friendly bears. This sign was crafted with loblolly pine.

Photo Credit: Ken Hendricks on Instagram

Franklin

The LOVE From Historic Downtown Franklin mural features four individual snapshots of Historic Downtown Franklin.

Sometimes you’ll find a unique LOVEworks sign that’s not actually a freestanding sculpture. This LOVEworks mural is in Downtown Franklin, featuring four different snapshots of the city. There are kayakers on the Blackwater River in the L, while the O features a view of the downtown area, with the Franklin Cruise In depicted on Main Street. The V features some fishermen at Barrett’s Landing, while the E features attendees from “We Be Jammin’.”

Photo Credit: Emily Ballance

Glen Allen

The LOVEwork at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen represents the opportunities for visitors to experience the performing and visual arts. The L is seen as a large red eighth note. The O is a piece of a wooden stage floor painted like a large paint palette. The V is made of paint brushes and a crafts man’s hand. The E illustrates the center’s programs (musical, art, dance, etc).

This LOVEwork can be found at The Cultural Arts Center. It features many opportunities that visitors can experience, through performing and visual arts held by the center.

Photo Credit: Anthony Radzimo on Instagram

Harrisonburg

The LOVEwork mosaic was created by OASIS artists, community volunteers and students from Harrisonburg High School. The large mosaic incorporates tiles on which the students wrote “love” in their native languages. OASIS created this mosaic as a gift to Harrisonburg to celebrate the different cultures and friendliness of the wonderful Harrisonburg community.

The Oasis Arts and Crafts Center in Harrisonburg’s LOVEwork was crafted by local artists, Harrisonburg High students, and community volunteers. There’s a lot of LOVE in the piece, since the larger tile features the word “love” in many different languages.

Photo Credit: Andrew Cothern on Instagram

Pennington Gap

The Pennington Gap LOVEwork promotes the area’s heritage with the letters representing the town theatre, Big Stone Face logo, tobacco farms, and railroad history.

This specific LOVEwork sign is a love letter to the region’s heritage. From tobacco farms to railroad history, and even the historic Lee Theatre, this sign has it all.

Photo Credit: Harold Jerrell

Richmond

In 2013, RIR created a LOVEwork made from Goodyear tires, checkered flag vinyl, racing helmets and sheet metal that was once part of NASCAR race cars.

This LOVEwork sign is ready for the races! You can find this one at the Richmond International Raceway, featuring bits and pieces from NASCAR race cars, as well as different NASCAR races. If you look closely, you might even recognize some famous numbers.

Photo Credit: Sarah Hauser on Instagram

Roanoke

The LOVEwork at Black Dog Salvage was created in the business’ custom fabrication shop. The L incorporates a mix of industrial elements and musical instruments. The O uses two industrial spools painted in the colors of the rainbow. The V is made of reclaimed hand hewn pine beams. The E is fabricated from German stainless steel brewery piping.

If you like digging for (home) goods, Black Dog Salvage might just have the treasure you’re looking for. Their LOVEwork sign was made with a mix of industrial elements and musical instruments, and was crafted in their fabrication shop. If Black Dog Salvage sounds familiar to you, then you might’ve seen Salvage Dawgs on the DIY Network! The show ended after 11 seasons back in 2020.

Photo Credit: Lovicarious on Instagram

Smithfield

The LOVEwork in Smithfield is inspired by what Smithfield is best known for (ham and bacon).

This particular LOVEwork likes to “ham” it up in the spotlight. We’re not “bacon” this up! After all, Smithfield (and Isle of Wight) is known for the World’s Oldest Ham (and its Ham Cam).

Photo Credit: Elly Condit

Wytheville

L represents the influence of the railroad. O showcases a hot air balloon, used in the town’s elevated water tank in honor of the annual Chautauqua Festival. V depicts the crossroads of two interstates, I-77 and I-81, as well as the branding theme of Wytheville…There’s Only One. E honors the history of baseball in this community as it was played in Withers Park behind the LOVEworks display.

If you’ve ever driven on Interstate 81, you’ve probably seen a giant water tower in the shape of a colorful hot air balloon off the highway. That colorful staple even made it into Wytheville’s LOVEwork sign, where you can even stay on the ground and pose for a nice picture with it.

Photo Credit: Lindsay Davies

Have you spotted LOVEworks signs across the state? Share your favorites with us over on social media. We’d love to see your photos.

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