EXHIBITIONS¬

WE ARE WHAT WE CURATE

If you’re looking for inspiration from the artists of today, or just something fun to do in Virginia Beach, you’ve come to the right place. As a non-collecting art museum, our gallery spaces have ever-changing exhibitions. That means every few months, we introduce new, exceptional art for you to see, experience, and celebrate. Check out what is on view now, coming next, and what we’ve shown before.

Admission is free! *Tickets can be reserved in advance at the link below. We hope to see you soon!

*PLEASE NOTE: We are currently closed through October 7 for the installation of our upcoming exhibitions. We are open with limited gallery spaces on view from Thursday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. We will reopen fully on October 8.

Reserve Tickets

EXHIBITIONS

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS¬

Meagan Reily, This must be the place, 2019. Digital photography. Courtesy of the artist.

The Art of the ViBe 3

SATELLITE GALLERY

This exhibition celebrates eight visual artists who are a part of the dynamic visual culture found in the ViBe Creative District of Virginia Beach. Our roots are in the talent and generosity of Virginia Beach artists. The Museum continues to honor this tradition by supporting local artists and our creative community. Within the ViBe, there is a broad and growing spectrum of creative talent. Handmade goods, carefully crafted foods, and vibrant, engaging art are the hallmark of this region. Our talented artists and artisans enrich our lives while providing inspiration for each other. Each artist featured in this exhibition shared their time and talent within the ViBe. The Art of the ViBe 3 is a wonderful way to connect, collaborate, and celebrate creativity.

FEBRUARY 11–DECEMBER 4, 2022

Maladaptive Puppeteer, 2022. Steel, rebar, aluminum flashing, burlap, silicone, mulch, enameled pennies. Maury High School, Norfolk Public Schools.

SITES UNSEEN: A Collaborative Environmental Sculpture Project

VIRGINIA MOCA GROUNDS

If we can't see the problem, how do we understand or change it? In fall 2021, Virginia MOCA invited students from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth public schools to dig into the ecological issues facing Tidewater Virginia.

MAY 21–SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

Dale Chihuly, Mille Colori, 2003. Blown glass.

Mille Colori by Dale Chihuly

RODRIGUEZ PAVILION

Translating to “1,000 Colors,” Mille Colori certainly lives up to its name. This breathtaking 14-foot glass sculpture by renowned artist, Dale Chihuly, is made up of 520 separate blown-glass pieces and hangs as a permanent fixture in our sunlit Rodriguez Pavilion, which was built specifically to showcase the modern masterwork. As our only permanent work of art on view, Mille Colori can be experienced year-round and has been seen by thousands of visitors throughout the years.

Photo by Fresh Look Photography.

Prisms Art Camp Exhibition 2022

FLEMING GALLERY

Every summer, Virginia MOCA hosts camps for children and teens ages 2–17. Art campers exercise their imaginations through classes designed to challenge and inspire. At the end of each camp week, students are asked to select an artwork to include in the Prisms: Art Camp Exhibition that demonstrates their creative achievements. On view in the Fleming Gallery, this exhibition is a celebration of a fun-filled, imaginative, and educational summer in the studios.

SEPTEMBER 17–NOVEMBER 13, 2022

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS¬

Will Smith, Back Out There, 2022. Photography. Courtesy of the artist.

More Than Shelter

MAIN GALLERY

The essentials for human survival are food, water, and shelter. These needs take precedence over all the others. Virginia MOCA continues our investigations of basic human needs with the new exhibition More Than Shelter. Eleven artists received an invitation to participate in this exhibition. We asked each one to consider what the idea of shelter means to them and choose an avenue of investigation. The artists connected with partners who provided unique insight into their area of expertise. Shelter is both a verb and a noun. It can mean a home, a community, or the people and places that makes us feel safe and welcomed. It also means to listen, care, and to support one another, our community, our land, our minds, our society, and our futures.

OCTOBER 8, 2022–FEBRUARY 5, 2023

Mahari Chabwera, Dadme La Muerte Que Me Falta, 2020. Oil, shells, acrylics, and fabric on stretched canvas. Courtesy of the artist.

Made in VA 2022

MAIN GALLERY

Virginia MOCA continues its celebration of regional artists through our annual juried exhibition, Made in VA. We find our roots in a concerned and connected artist community. We remain committed to keeping close ties with the talented artists who live close to our doors.

OCTOBER 8, 2022–FEBRUARY 5, 2023

Brian Kreydatus, Self Portrait on 53rd Birthday, 2022. Oil on paper mounted on board. Courtesy of the artist.

Brian Kreydatus: Homebodies

COMMUNITY GALLERY

In Homebodies, artist Brian Kreydatus explores relationships and spaces in the time of a pandemic. These paintings and prints document and archive him, his home, and his family during this challenging time. From messy tables, to Zoom meetings, to naps, to mindless internet scrolling, this is how he lived. In fact, it is how many of us lived.