City of Salem LOVE Art

In 2018, the City of Salem, Virginia unveiled its iconic LOVE sign at Library Square as part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation's popular Virginia is for Lovers campaign. This massive 2500-pound sign, standing 7 feet tall and nearly 17 feet long, has since traveled around the Salem community, becoming a beloved symbol of peace, harmony, and local pride. Be sure to check the city’s website for the current location of the LOVE sign as it makes its rounds throughout the area.

The sign's letters, made from steel, sit on a five-foot wide aluminum base, showcasing the craftsmanship of the Salem Street Department employees. These local workers played a crucial role in the design, fabrication, welding, grinding, and lettering of the sign. The letter “O” in the LOVE sign features a peace sign, representing the word Salem, which is derived from the Hebrew word Shalom, meaning Peace, Wholeness, Harmony, and Tranquility.

The project also benefited from the talents of B&M Sheet Metal in Roanoke, Sun Solutions in Vinton, and R.C. Restorations in Salem, with R.C. Restorations generously donating labor to paint the structure.

For more details on the LOVE sign’s current location and history, visit the City of Salem’s official website.