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Words Matter Gives Viewers Something to Talk About

9/7/2023

 
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"A Sign to Smile" by Kerri Caldwell
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..."
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Guest book portion of "Don't Just Don't" by John Rafferty
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"The Lost Words" by Maggie Kerrigan
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."
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Jorge Saenz, Exhibitions Coordinator, and Ukwensi Chappell, owner of Gallerie Ukwensi
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Destiny Sharion, poet and art activist
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Top left: "O'Shae Matters," Tonya Hopson. Top right: "Essential," Deb Anderson. Bottom left: "Feed Your Mind and Soul," Debra Amme. Bottom right: "Don't Just Don't," John Rafferty
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Award of Recognition: "Relinquish the Purple Flower, a Tribute to Marite Bomer" by Sydney Walker
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3rd Place: "Different but the Same" by Collette Mann
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2nd Place: "An Emancipating Journey" by Christian Williams
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1st Place: "Thoughts" by Paul Knell
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1st place winner Paul Knell
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2nd place winner Christian Williams
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Honorable Mention Tonya Hopson
Highlights from the Words Matter opening reception.
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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

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  • Home
    • Arts and Provisions Getaway
  • Classes
    • General Class Info
    • Art Classes
    • Pottery Studio >
      • Pottery Classes
      • Pottery Supplies
    • Art Center Calendars
    • Class Policies
  • Exhibitions
    • Exhibitions Calendar
    • Artist Calls >
      • Artist Call Towne Bank Exhibition '24
      • Artist Call Out of the Box '24
      • Artist Call Fabulous Forgeries '24
      • Artist Call Exploring Textures '24
  • Join Us
    • Be Involved
    • Annual Supporters
    • Volunteer
    • Artist Involvement
    • Become An Instructor
  • About
    • Blog
    • Staff
    • Board
    • History
  • The Artists Gallery