Bijou Park is a serene oasis amidst the bustling urban landscape. Connecting Front Street to the river, this charming park is sits in a centrally located infill property,nestled in the heart of historic Wilmington, NC.
The park was originally the site of the Bijou Theatre, North Carolina’s first permanent “moving picture” theatre. It opened in 1906 as a tent with 300 folding chairs inside. Since 1963, the park has undergone several transformations, with the latest highlighting safety and sustainability through attractive lighting and landscaping.
When I first arrived in Wilmington, murals were combined with the sign code. I collaborated with planning and zoning staff to update the code to free the murals, which we did. Additionally, I served on the Board of Directors for the Arts Council of Wilmington / NHC and was thus asked to serve on the artist selection committee for the mural.
We selected the artists based on the showcase of local wildlife and their inclusion of a community paint day. Over two weekends, anyone could participate in the painting so the art truly became a community piece.
