City of Roanoke Resident Artist Program Spotlight: Gainsboro Neighborhood

The City of Roanoke began an artists-in-residence program in 2022 to integrate the arts in advancing the comprehensive City Plan 2040.

In 2024-2025, the City of Roanoke launched a Resident Artist Program that centered on three major initiatives: Daisy Art Neighborhood Activations, Arts Connect Neighbors Catalog, and City of Roanoke Public Art Program.

The program revolves around five focus neighborhoods: Melrose Plaza, 1st Street NW, West End, Gainsboro, and 9^th Street SE. In their role, Resident Artists focus on arts-based neighborhood development strategies by providing art instruction, organizing neighborhood-based events, and documenting artists, among other activities.

This spotlight features the Gainsboro Neighborhood Activation, led by Resident Artist Jane Gabrielle McCadden. McCadden first participated in the City’s program in the first cohort in 2022, specifically working to build neighborhood connectivity as a path to a stronger City. She continues as a Lead Resident Artist in the 2025-2026 cohort.

The works shown in the spotlight were created between 2024-2025 by McCadden in collaboration with the Gainsboro community. Through this work, the community tells the story of Dr. Isaac David Burrell, a physician and pharmacist who operated a Gainsboro clinic and the Burrell Pharmacy. A vital and committed member of the Gainsboro community, Burrell Memorial Hospital is named to honor his life and memory.

Additional works from the City’s Resident Artist Program can be seen on the first floor in Art Venture.

The Resident Artist Program is funded by the City of Roanoke with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.