"Love Our Earth"
Tree of Life Community Art Installation

The 5th annual Aware Exhibit is focused on loving our earth during the month of October and we are so excited to be partnering with Lynnhaven River Now which focuses on clean and healthy Virginia Beach waterways. For more information about this organization please visit: Lynnhaven River NOW | Restoring Virginia Beach Waters
This year we once again invite the community to participate by contributing to the community art installation. 
​Read below to see how you can get involved and contribute to the community art project.

How to participate:

This year our community project is a Tree of Life which will be constructed in the middle of our main gallery and will contain approximately 500 images created by the community. The appropriately called Tree of Life is about the past, present and future of the globe. The images that will hang depict insects, flora and fauna, mammals, the cosmos, dinosaurs, humanity, aquatic creatures, and birds. 
Below you will find images that you can download trace and create your own versions. You can also create your own images for the tree and use these as a source of inspiration. Think of them as leaves hanging from a tree all connected throughout time. That is why we are having your think about the past, present and even future. What would this tree have hanging on it 50 years from now? Technology is moving so fast so let your imagination run free. Since the creation of this amazing planet, we live on there have been many species that have inhabited the world so let's create some amazing art with that perspective in mind.
You can drop by the center on Friday June 19th and create your own versions of what you think should hang on the tree or color one of the templates available at the Tree of Life art station. We are holding Create Art with US Shops on the following dates at the center where you and your family and friends can come in and create with us. You can also pick up templates at the center which you can take home and trace or just use as inspiration.
Dates are:
Fridays June 19 & 26, 10am - 1pm
Fridays July 17 & 24, 10am - 1pm
Fridays August 14 & 28, 10am - 1pm
​Fridays September 11 & 25, 10am - 1pm
Are creating at home, simply mails us your art to 523 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 by the week of September 21st.
Your artwork should be created on mixed media paper, and both sides need to have art on it. The back side does not need to be as elaborate and can just be one color with your name, a poem or anything else you want it to be. All types of art are encouraged and feel free to use any type of medium you wish and materials. You can make your work 3D if you want as well as out of clay but should weigh no more than 2 to 3 pounds. Art can be 6"x5" to 8"x8". Art created on paper will be cut around the edges leaving a small border by our wonderful volunteers or you can do it a home and send it to us or drop it off. We are looking forward to seeing your creativity. 

Click on - Call for Artists
​Submission: September 10 by 11:59pm

October 2 - November 1, 2025
The Aware exhibition will feature artwork from artists that incorporate the theme of Love our Earth. These works will be displayed alongside the community-created project at the Art Center. 
Artists 18 + are encouraged to submit artwork for the main exhibition.  Art should address the Love our Earth exhibition theme.

Turn Your Awareness Into Action!


​What can you do?