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 contemporary 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.

RESERVE TICKETS →

EXHIBITIONS

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS¬

Kara Walker, Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated): Exodus of Confederates from Atlanta, edition 21/35, 2005. Offset lithography and screenprint, 39 x 53 in. Collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer. © Kara Walker

Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation

MAIN GALLERY

A leading artist of her generation, Kara Walker (b. 1969) works in a range of mediums, including prints, drawings, paintings, sculpture, film, and the large-scale silhouette cutouts for which she is perhaps most recognized. Her powerful and provocative images employ contradictions to critique the painful legacies of slavery, sexism, violence, imperialism, and other power structures, including those in the history and hierarchies of art and contemporary culture.

LEARN MORE →

MARCH 9–JUNE 11, 2023

LaToya M. Hobbs, The Founder, 2020. Acrylic, collage, and relief carving on wood panel, 48 x 36 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Ariston Jacks.

LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish

MAIN GALLERY

LaToya M. Hobbs creates large-scale portraits of women from her community. Her portraits challenge entrenched assumptions of beauty and identity about Black women and turns them inside out. The artist deconstructs these ideas and reframes them from a place of love and celebration. Hobbs is an artist, professor, mother, wife, daughter, colleague, and friend. She connects to a wide community of women who serve as a source of inspiration and creation.

LEARN MORE →

MARCH 9–JUNE 11, 2023

Amber Pierce, Pouring Out to Be Refilled, 2023. Acrylic, fibers. Courtesy of the artist

Atrium Artists in Residence: Amber Pierce, Poetry Jackson, Nadd Harvin

COMMUNITY GALLERY

This exhibition features the work of Amber Pierce, Poetry Jackson, and Nadd Harvin, who have been invited to participate in the 2023 Atrium Artist in Residence Program. The residency aims to support and amplify the work of regional artists while creating another entry point for Museum visitors to engage with contemporary art and ideas in connection with the main gallery exhibitions, Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and LaToya Hobbs: Flourish. This group exhibition complements the residency program and celebrates the work of these talented artists.

LEARN MORE →

MARCH 9–JUNE 11, 2023

Photo by Lindsay Collette.

ARTlab Spring 2023

ARTlab is our interactive space for all ages located off of our main galleries. Explore the main themes and ideas found in our current exhibitions Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish through making, sharing, and personal connections.

MARCH 9–JUNE 11, 2023

Corrie Young, Untitled, Bayside High School. Art Teacher: Karen Chiariello

Youth Art Month 2023

FLEMING GALLERY

Each March, Virginia MOCA celebrates Youth Art Month to underscore the value of arts education and its importance to young artists of all interests and abilities. We hope you enjoy these works from the artists of today and leaders of tomorrow.

LEARN MORE →

MARCH 2–26, 2023

Mia Guile, The Great Escape, 2022. Oil on canvas. Courtesy of the artist.

In the Abstract

SATELLITE GALLERY (OFF-SITE)

Color, shape, line, form, and texture are the foundation for the language of visual art. Abstract artists use this language to investigate memory, emotion, and art itself. They move away from the expectations of creating a visual reality in their painting practice. There are few rules for this approach to painting; it exists in many different forms.

LEARN MORE →

DECEMBER 21, 2022–JULY 29, 2023

Dale Chihuly, Mille Colori, 2003. Blown glass. Photo by Echard Wheeler.

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.

LEARN MORE →

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS¬

PAST EXHIBITIONS¬

EXPLORE MORE¬

Join/Give

Make art your thing

Get to know our community—there’s a little something for everyone.

JOIN & ENJOY MEMBER BENEFITS

EVENTS

Come Join Us

From interactive talks with artists, classes exploring the ideas and techniques in our galleries, there are events for all ages, interests, and artistic experience.

FIND YOUR FIT

LEARN

Create with us

Check out all the ways you and your children can learn through art and making.

LEARN WITH US

="">