JULY 7–DECEMBER 31, 2023

MAIN GALLERY

Our brains are wired to collect things.

Collections can bring pleasure, satisfy curiosity, represent identity, mark moments in time, and create a legacy. There are as many reasons to create collections as there are people who have them. Museums like Virginia MOCA have a special connection to art collectors. We love people who love art and support creative culture. Purchasing artwork preserves our knowledge and values. It forms an exchange of ideas that stretch across the world into our most intimate spaces.

In Collector’s Edition, Virginia MOCA honors this special kind of enthusiast. This exhibition will highlight many of the engaged patrons of our region, the artists and artworks that excite them, and the vision that they welcome into their lives. These collectors are all in different stages of building their art collections. Their choices reflect what art means to them and the place it holds within their homes and their lives. The art and artists they have shared are renowned and celebrated regionally, nationally, and globally.

The authority of art is not solely in the eyes of the museum or gallery. It is expansive and welcoming and allows for many different voices. Collector’s Edition will showcase some of those voices and may inspire you to add to your own art collection.

COLLECTORS

Special thanks to the dedicated patrons who have shared their holdings and collecting visions with us and without whom this exhibition would not be possible.

Susan Bradley, CAN Foundation, Susan and Andrew Cohen, Carrie Coleman, Travis Dillard, English Family Collection, Galumbeck Family Collection, Susan and David Goode, Martha and Rob Goodman, Randy and Lelia Graham Webb, Robert S. Hewitt, Jr., Maria and Doug Hillebrandt, Tom and Alison Johnson, Nikki Leone and Sam Cocke, Suzanne and Vince Mastracco, Vivian Montano and Steve Lawson, Mel Price and Peter Johnston, Meredith and Brother Rutter, Lynn Schoenbaum, Thomas and Selina Stokes, Thank You Gallery, Ashby and Joseph Waldo, and Patrick Waldo.

INCLUDED ARTISTS

Stephen Abela, Geneva Beavers, Hampton Boyer, Kelsey Brookes, Gabe Brown, P’ter Brown, Rachel Burgess, Anthony Burks Sr., Daniela Campins, Dale Chihuly, Eleanor Cohen, Will Corr, Michael Crossett, Thomas Dean, Saïdou Dicko, Tara Donovan, Vernon Fisher, Jesse Fleming, Ellen Gallagher, Jeffrey Gibson, Red Grooms, Yen Ha, Nadd Harvin, Tyler Haughey, Mary Heilmann, Mark Hewitt, Earlie Hudnall, Jr., Elizabeth Huey, Birney Imes, Asa Jackson, Cleark “Nurse” James, Dathan Kane, Alex Katz, Emma Kohlmann, Jacob Lawrence, Michael Lucero, Maizelle, Angelo Mangiarotti, Sally Mann, Pepe Mar, Hugo McCloud, Louise Nevelson, Jules Olitski, Jenna Pirello, Rael San Fratello, Lisandra Ramirez, Jason Rodman, Shellyne Rodriguez, Deborah G. Rogers, Sophie Ryder, Betye Saar, Melissa Schappell, Richard Serra, Washington Silvera, Clayton Singleton, Tim Skirven, Vee Speers, Do Ho Suh, Becky Suss, Nastassja Swift, Swoon, Donald Teskey, Janaina Tschäpe, Leo Villareal, Idelle Weber, Thom White, Shaun C. Whiteside, Mark Wilson, Gary Wong, Ken Wright, Helena Wurzel, Purvis Young, and Andrew Zimmerman.

Collector's Edition-inspired playlist

We are grateful to Thanks for Listening, a record store in Virginia Beach, for curating an exhibition-inspired playlist that ties together the connected threads between the creator and collector. Hear the playlist in our lobby or follow the link below and enjoy at home.

Listen now →

Music provides a cadence to life, from our day-to-day routines to creative expression. When we can’t find the exact way to express ourselves, oftentimes art can. Those who create art and those who collect it can find a common thread through music. These songs represent those common threads—self-reflection, self-identification, introspection, connection, voice, projection, preservation, creativity, nostalgia, fear, hope, and new beginnings.