The 2025 Aware theme is "CREATIVITY A HEALING POWER".

We are so excited to host this year's 4th annual Aware Exhibit that will focus on mental health awareness during the month of October. Creativity is a pathway forward that enhances and optimizes the power of healing when dealing with mental health. It is proven that art therapy is a great tool when individuals are feeling unbalanced due to circumstances in life. The visual arts can heal through its many interpretations whether it be dancing, writing, painting or creating other types of art that will enhance the lives of many in our community. This year we are once again inviting the community to participate by contributing to the community project. 
Creativity is the expression of happiness, anger, hope, love, thoughts, feelings and desire. It is a forward movement, progression and life.  

THE PATH TO HEALING BEGINS WITH YOU!
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This year we are collaborating with several organizations that will be helping us build this year's community project.
  • NAMI National Alliance on Mental Health
  • Tidewater Arts Outreach
  • VB Libraries

How to participate:

Aware '25 has several events and components for the community, and we hope you'll participate in all of them!​

Creativity a Healing Power Community Art Project

Members of the community are asked to contribute a 4" x 4" portrait, drawing, painting or whatever mental health means to you to our gallery art installation. The squares will be assembled together to create several hanging displays. The square may also be created as a diagonal or in other words as a diamond. You choose what you prefer.
  • Create/decorate your own squares made available at the art center or on thick paper you may have. You can use any medium you wish. The art center will have a permanent station starting in mid-April through the first week in September for you to come by and create with us. Just one restriction, no glitter please.
  • You can write messages, paint them, color them with colored pencils, acrylics, oils, watercolors, fabric, yarn, stencils, or other materials and inspirations that fuel your inspiration. We encourage you to be creative and to include messages and stories about yourself or loved ones within the squares. By personalizing the squares, they become integral in creating a lasting impression with the community.
  • Drop off or mail your art to us before Friday September 12, 2025.
           Virginia Beach Art Center 532 Va Beach Blvd., Va Beach,
            Virginia 23451      

Stop by the Virginia Beach Art Center Tuesday through Sundays and visit our Art Making Station in our gallery and create with us.
Art Making Station will be setup mid-April through Friday September 12, 2025.
Join us mid-April - September at the Virginia Beach Art Center and create a 4" x 4" square that will become part of the community project. Bring family and friends to participate or create your own at home and drop them off.

Call for Artists


Artists 18 + are encouraged to submit artwork that highlights Mental Health Awareness. ​This exhibit will focus on the healing power of art, and it's varied uses during the treatment process of mental health.

Aware '25 Exhibition "Creativity a Healing Power"

October 3 - November 4, 2025
The Aware exhibition will feature artwork from local artists that incorporate the theme of Creativity a Healing Power. These works will be displayed alongside the community-created project at the Art Center. There will be guest speakers providing information on Mental Health Awarness.

Turn Your Awareness Into Action!


​What can you do?
  • Educate yourself and others about mental health and how it affects loved ones and friends. Educate yourself via online groups and established organizations in the area such as NAMI -National Alliance on Mental Health.​
Why this topic in 2025?
​A call went out to the community for proposals for Aware '25, and our executive director was interested in bringing awareness about mental health in the Hampton Roads area. A proposal put forward by resident artists, Susan Owens, Michele Barnes, and Susan Werby that focuses on the healing power of creativity was accepted. They will be co-chairing this year's community project and will be partnering with NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Health, Tidewater Arts Outreach and Virginia Beach Libraries.
The first step is to be an advocate for mental health and by contributing to this community project you can help others help themselves through the visual arts.
​Thank You for Participating!
About the Aware Exhibition Series:
Art is one way to shed light on social concerns, create empathy, and inspire connection. We hope this project promotes awareness and encourages healing as we come together to acknowledge the need to help others in need.