Words Matter opened on the first Friday of September to a packed house at the Virginia Beach Art Center. The juried art exhibition features 61 works by 35 regional artists and explores the visual interpretation of words and their meaning. The exhibition is on view September 1st though October 1st.

With pieces suggesting both the positive and negative connotations of language, the exhibition certainly gives viewers something to talk about. There are several interactive pieces that ask the viewer to interpret what they see, including "A Sign to Smile," featuring sign language, and "Morning Light," featuring morse code, both by digital artist Kerri Caldwell. "The Lost Words" by Maggie Kerrigan allows viewers to gently flip through the pages of an altered book; while John Rafferty's "Don't Just Don't" includes a guest book inviting participants to finish the prompt, "don't be..."

Special guests for the opening reception included Ukwensi Chappell, owner of Gallerie Ukwensi in Norfolk, who curated the show and selected the exhibition winners and Destiny Sharion, who recited two poems from her recently published book, "She Speaks."

Highlights from the Words Matter opening reception.

Words Matter is on view September 1st through October 1st and concludes with an artist talk on Sunday, October 1st from 2:00-3:00 pm. 

Photos and blog post by Jaimie Kelley Choi

Ever wonder what it's like to see the world through the eyes of an artist? Now is your chance. Be Still is an art exhibition that begins with the tradition of still life but expands into a whole new dimension. This juried exhibition includes traditional still life paintings but also encompasses sculptural works made of everything from paper to clay, and - wait for it - beads.

Be Still is a curated exhibition featuring the work of local and regional artists from Hampton Roads. There are 59 works from 41 artists on view. The exhibition was juried by Jaqui McBride Lilly, painter and sole proprietor of Beach Gallery in Virginia Beach, who had the difficult task of selecting the show's winners.

Here are a few more highlights from Be Still. Hover over the image to see the name of the art work and artist.

All Mixed Up brings multiple materials and media into play in a celebration of mixed-media art making. This juried exhibition features over 65 works to delight the senses. From 3d sculptures to textural works, there is no shortage of variety in this vibrant exhibition.

Stand-out works were selected by Vonnie Whitworth, a fashion illustrator and artist, who exhibits her drawings and watercolor paintings at D'Art Center and #Working Artists Studios.

All Mixed Up is on view July 7-30 and concludes with Artists Talk, a casual conversation between exhibiting artists and friends on Sunday, July 30th from 3:00-4:00pm. The exhibition and talk are both free and open to the public.

by Jaimie Kelley Choi

Name That Tune explores the visual interpretation of music. In this interactive exhibition, viewers are tasked with guessing the song that inspired a work of art. To help solve the mystery, visitors are given the song titles on a sheet of paper as they walk around the gallery inspecting each piece of art for clues. For example, the acrylic painting above by Carol Joannette is titled "Goo Goo g'Joob" and features a huge walrus with a little bird sitting on top. Is the bird singing? The artist gives just enough clues to name that tune!

This juried exhibition was curated by the Virginia Beach Art Center and guest juror Lynette Andrews. Lynette is a life-long lover of music, who plays and teaches violin, and has served as the executive director of Symphonicity since 2017. 

Name That Tune is on view from June 2nd to July 2nd and concludes with Artists Talk, a casual conversation between exhibiting artists and friends on July 2nd from 1:00-2:00. The exhibition and talk are both free and open to the public.

by Jaimie Kelley Choi

If you were to close your eyes and allow your mind to go to a peaceful, centered place, what would you see? Artists explore this very idea in the juried exhibition, My Happy Place. The exhibition, on view May 5-28, features familiar places of serenity such as painterly landscapes and nature photography but also renders more abstracted concepts like book reading, playing an instrument, or pulling a childhood memory into view.

The exhibition was juried by Mac Houfac, an avid gardner, who has served on the board of Norfolk Botanical Gardens and as president of the Virginia Beach Garden Club. Mac selected the award winners for the show.

My Happy Place is on view May 5 - 28 and concludes with an Artist Talk on Sunday, May 28, from 3:00-4:00 pm.