New Public Art Installation Coming to Alexandria’s Waterfront Park
Monumental "Now or Never" Billboard-style Sculpture by Artist Alicia Eggert to Debut March 21 as Part of the Site See Public Art Series
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The City of Alexandria will unveil Now or Never, a monumental public art installation by interdisciplinary artist Alicia Eggert, at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street) on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The installation is the eighth project in the City’s Site See: New Views in Old Town temporary public art series and will remain on view through November 2026. It follows Nekisha Durrett’s Break Water.
Eggert’s work features two towering billboard-style sculptures positioned face to face across a narrow passageway. One displays the word “NOW” while the other responds “NEVER.” Each structure stands approximately 17.5 feet tall and 40 feet long, supported by steel frameworks reminiscent of roadside billboards.
The opposing messages create visual and conceptual tension, reflecting themes of time, choice, and polarization. Visitors are invited to walk between the sculptures, physically occupying the space between the words and considering the possibilities that exist in moments of decision.
A gray ground mural with radiating lines resembling an hourglass reinforces the theme of time, reminding viewers of life’s fleeting moments and the complexity that exists between seeming opposites.
“I’ve always been interested in the way billboards capture our attention and deliver messages,” said Eggert. “This piece encourages people to think about time, possibility, and the space between extremes.”
The installation also connects to Alexandria’s historic waterfront and evolving landscape. Eggert designed the work to align with the sunrise during the summer solstice above the Potomac River, creating a fleeting celestial moment for viewers.
“Now or Never continues the Site See series’ tradition of bringing thought-provoking site-specific artwork to Waterfront Park,” said Diane Ruggiero, Deputy Director for the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.
Visitors can see Now or Never daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. beginning March 21 at Waterfront Park. The installation will remain on display through November 2026.
More information about the artwork and Alexandria’s public art program is available at alexandriava.gov/PublicArt.
