The Virginia State Capitol Ball Machine is a part of the Capitol Visitor Center's new permanent exhibit: "People. Building. Democracy." unveiled January 2026. This George Rhoads' rolling ball machine makes up the "Democracy" exhibit, animating Virginia’s legislative process through motion, sound, and light.
Built from steel track and powered by rolling balls, the sculpture visually traces how legislation moves through the Commonwealth’s government. The journey begins with an idea as a ball ascends a lifter and lights a bulb. It then weaves through drafting before traveling to the House of Delegates, where committee review is shown by a spinning Ferris wheel. Three wooden blocks mark the first, second, and third readings, followed by a House vote revealed as the ball passes “Yea” and “Nay” paddles. The ball continues to the Senate, repeating committee review, readings, and a Senate vote. From there, it rises to the Governor’s Mansion, where a pegboard determines whether the bill is vetoed, amended, or signed. Vetoed or amended bills return to the start; signed bills move forward as the ball passes a giant pen symbolizing the Governor’s signature. The process concludes as the ball passes behind a plaque reading “Bill Becomes a Law,” lighting it up before joining other completed bills in a stack of books that represents the laws passed each session. The balls then return to the track to begin the cycle again, reflecting the ongoing work of Virginia’s state democracy.
More details can be found at the Virginia State Capitol Visitor Experience webpage.
Date:
2026
Location:
Capitol Visitor's Center, Richmond, Virginia
Dimensions:
98” L x 96” W x 96” H
Artist:
George Rhoads
Creative Machines