On April 13, 2023, a ribbon cutting for the Clifton Forge LOVE sculpture was held on the grounds of the town’s Masonic Amphitheater with a great show of support from the community! As an extension of the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) LOVEworks program, which is a state-wide branding initiative designed to promote travel in Virginia and strengthen awareness of the half-century “Virginia is for Lovers” message, the Clifton Forge LOVE Sculpture Committee worked to create a LOVE sign that reflected the rich culture and history of the locality.
The Clifton Forge LOVE sign is made of metal, which represents the forges in the area, and each letter of the sculpture reflects different assets of the community:
- The letter “L” represents the thriving arts community;
- The letter “O” represents the heritage and significance of the railroad;
- The letter “V” represents education; and
- The letter “E” represents the unparalleled vistas and outdoor activities
Beneath each letter is a QR code that allows visitors to learn more about the symbolism within the statue.
Utilizing a Virginia Main Street (VMS) Community Vitality Grant, the LOVEworks Sculpture Committee began making plans for this sculpture in Spring 2021 and worked alongside many partners to make it happen, including the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, Alleghany Printing, Bear Mountain Signs, Clifton Forge Main Street, Clifton Forge School of the Arts, Covington Designs, W.L. Dressler Landscaping, H&M Electric, Historic Masonic Theatre Foundation, David Krisnitski of A. Morton Thompson Engineering Associates, Meade Snyder Attorney, Town of Clifton Forge Public Works, Vess Surveying, Williams Fabrication and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
There are over 300 LOVEworks across the state. These sculptures are connected in a network that encourages road trippers, destination visitors, and locals to feel connected to what bonds the state of Virginia, as well as what makes each community unique. Click here to check out the Virginia LOVEworks map!
Image Credit (group photos): The Alleghany Journal
Image Credit (sign photos): Clifton Forge Main Street
virginiamainstreet.com 