“Now or Never” Public Art Installation Opens at Alexandria Waterfront Park
Alexandria, VA – A striking new public art installation has arrived at Waterfront Park, inviting visitors to reflect on time, decision-making, and the space between extremes.
Titled Now or Never, the monumental work by artist Alicia Eggert was installed March 21 as part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town public art series. The artist was on site for the installation, engaging with the process and the space.
The installation features two towering, billboard-style sculptures positioned face-to-face — one reading “NOW” and the other “NEVER.” Each structure stands about 17.5 feet tall and 40 feet long, creating a dramatic visual dialogue that visitors can physically walk between.
The piece explores themes of time, urgency, and polarization, encouraging viewers to consider the choices that define both personal and collective moments. A ground mural resembling an hourglass reinforces the concept of time passing and the complexity between seeming opposites.
“I’ve always been interested in the way billboards capture our attention and deliver messages,” Eggert said. “This piece encourages people to think about time, possibility, and the space between extremes.”
The installation was also designed to interact with its surroundings, aligning with the sunrise during the summer solstice over the Potomac River to create a brief, visually striking moment tied to the natural environment.
Now or Never is the eighth installation in the city’s rotating waterfront art series and will remain on display through November 2026. Visitors can experience it daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street).
