The 2024 Aware theme is "WITH AN OPEN HEART".
We are so excited to host this year's 3rd annual Aware Exhibit that will focus on the LGBTQ+ community and their diverse members. This exhibit is designed to shed light on acceptance, inclusivity, diversity and the importance of respect for every member of the Pride Community. It is about having an Open Heart and respecting each other.
Inclusivity and acceptance of each other is the most important ingredient at fostering and nurturing positive relationships with everyone regardless of their sex, gender, color of their skin or of whom they choose to love. Join us throughout the month of October and participate in a series of activities and forums that will be presented to the public.
CHANGE BEGINS WITH YOU!
CHANGE BEGINS WITH YOU!
Important Dates:
October 3 - 27 Exhibition on View
The exhibition is free and open to the public.
October 4, 5:00 - 8:00 pm Immersive Opening Reception
Join us for our opening reception with guest speakers Councilman Michael Berlucchi, co-chairs Nicole Pixler from Stand Up for Kids, The Artists Gallery Manager Vinnie Bumatay, Art Curator for VB-AC Jorge A. Saenz and juror Ukwensi Chappell owner of Gallerie Ukwensi.
October 9, 5pm - 7pm Opening of You Youth Group Exhibit in the Jean Rawls Classroom
Join us for the viewing of art created by the LGBTQ+ You youth group. Art that elevates and educates us about acceptance and equality. Hosted by With an Open-Heart co-chair, Nicole Pixler, Executive Director of Stand Up for Kids, Vinnie Bumatay, The Artists Gallery Manager, and Jorge A. Saenz, Art Curator for the Virginia Beach Art Center.
October 16, 5pm - 7pm
Panel discussion of our human rights and what we need to be focused on to bring inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community.
October 23, 5pm - 7pm Panel Discussion with a Mental Health advocates from National Alliance on Mental Illness "NAMI"
Join us for an in-depth conversation about LGBTQ+ mental health issues and how to cope with everyday issues that rise up and affect the members of the Pride Community. Light refreshments and sandwiches will be served from 5pm - 5:30pm followed by the panel discussion 5:30pm - 7pm.
October 27, 4pm - 7pm Halloween Disco Party Hosted by the Virginia Beach Art Center
Join us for the closing of the 2024 annual Aware exhibit "With an Open Heart". Come dressed in your best Halloween costume or not and enjoy light refreshments in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
The exhibition is free and open to the public.
October 4, 5:00 - 8:00 pm Immersive Opening Reception
Join us for our opening reception with guest speakers Councilman Michael Berlucchi, co-chairs Nicole Pixler from Stand Up for Kids, The Artists Gallery Manager Vinnie Bumatay, Art Curator for VB-AC Jorge A. Saenz and juror Ukwensi Chappell owner of Gallerie Ukwensi.
October 9, 5pm - 7pm Opening of You Youth Group Exhibit in the Jean Rawls Classroom
Join us for the viewing of art created by the LGBTQ+ You youth group. Art that elevates and educates us about acceptance and equality. Hosted by With an Open-Heart co-chair, Nicole Pixler, Executive Director of Stand Up for Kids, Vinnie Bumatay, The Artists Gallery Manager, and Jorge A. Saenz, Art Curator for the Virginia Beach Art Center.
October 16, 5pm - 7pm
Panel discussion of our human rights and what we need to be focused on to bring inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community.
October 23, 5pm - 7pm Panel Discussion with a Mental Health advocates from National Alliance on Mental Illness "NAMI"
Join us for an in-depth conversation about LGBTQ+ mental health issues and how to cope with everyday issues that rise up and affect the members of the Pride Community. Light refreshments and sandwiches will be served from 5pm - 5:30pm followed by the panel discussion 5:30pm - 7pm.
October 27, 4pm - 7pm Halloween Disco Party Hosted by the Virginia Beach Art Center
Join us for the closing of the 2024 annual Aware exhibit "With an Open Heart". Come dressed in your best Halloween costume or not and enjoy light refreshments in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
How to participate:
Aware '24 has several events and components for the community, and we hope you'll participate in all of them!
- Every Saturday in June during Pride month, 11am - 2pm: Create hearts that will become part of the art installation in October with artists at the Virginia Beach Art Center.
- Call to Artists: Art that sheds a positive and uplifting message about the LGBTQ+ community. Click on link to take you to the prospectus: Art Call Aware '24 (artcentervb.org)
- Call to the Community: Create a heart that will become part of our "With an Open Heart" main art exhibit in our gallery. We encourage you to be creative and to include messages and stories about yourself or loved ones within the hearts. By personalizing the hearts, they become integral in creating a lasting impression with the community.
With an Open-Heart Installation
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Members of the community are asked to contribute a decorated heart to our gallery art installation. The hearts will be part of the Aware '23 exhibition.
Virginia 23451 Stop by the Virginia Beach Art Center Tuesday through Sundays and visit our Heart Making Station in our classroom and create hearts for this exhibit.
Heart Making Station will be up through Sunday September 8. |
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Join us May - September at the Virginia Beach Art Center every Wednesday 11am - 3pm for a heart making session with one of our artists. We will provide materials for you to create hearts that will become part of the community art display in the month of October during our 4th annual Aware Exhibition "With an Open Heart.
Call for Artists
Artists 18 + are encouraged to submit artwork that highlights the Pride Community in a positive way. This exhibit will celebrate the diversity within the Pride Community and bring to the forefront the need of inclusivity and respect for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Aware '24 Exhibition "With an Open Heart"
October 4 - October 27, 2024
The Aware exhibition will feature artwork from statewide artists that incorporate the theme of With an Open Heart. These works will be displayed alongside the community-created hearts at the Art Center. There will be guest speakers providing information on LGBTQ+2 Community and how we can help Pride members feel safe, respected, and inclusive and welcomed within our collective communities.
The Aware exhibition will feature artwork from statewide artists that incorporate the theme of With an Open Heart. These works will be displayed alongside the community-created hearts at the Art Center. There will be guest speakers providing information on LGBTQ+2 Community and how we can help Pride members feel safe, respected, and inclusive and welcomed within our collective communities.
Turn Your Awareness Into Action!
What can you do?
- Educate yourself and others about accepting and respecting people that are different from you. Go to forums and meetings that are held by your local LGBTQ+ community that will inform with and give positive perspectives about the Pride Community.
- Mentor a local LGBTQ+ youth group that will help them develop into well rounded young adults. In Virginia Beach that group will be "You" and your contact is Nicole Pixler (757-818-4901)
- The City of Virginia Beach is proud to work with the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission (HRC) to identify and eliminate discrimination. Collaboration between the HRC and the LGBTQ Liaison to the City Manager are essential to making sure that city policies and services are inclusive of the LGBT community.
- The City of Virginia Beach provides several programs and services to the LGBT community, and we insist on having policies that are inclusive, welcoming, and ensure the safety of those involved in those services. As such, we provide services to LGBT Youth, Homeless, and elders in the community.
- Unfortunately, intolerance and marginalization can still create barriers to equality and opportunity for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, but the City remains committed to fostering positive change. For help with local issues please contact Anna M. Elias-Perez, LGBTQ+ Liaison to the City Manager, 757-385-1199, [email protected].
- If you know of someone that needs immediate help, contact the LGBT national help center at lgbthotline.org/contact.
Why this topic in 2024?
A call went out to the community for proposals for Aware '24, and our executive director was interested in bringing awareness about the LGBTQ+ community in the Hampton Roads area. Nicole Pixler from Stand Up for Kids was contacted and our Pride Exhibit "With an Open Heart was born. Nicole runs a youth organization called YOU in Virginia Beach which focuses on 13-to-18-year-olds that are just discovering who they are. The group helps and fosters positive affirming meetings where teenagers and young adults can express themselves and discover who they are through forums with LGBTQ+ community leaders, art and other activities that reenforce a positive outlook on life.
Nicole is co-chairing this year's 4th annual Aware exhibit with Vinnie Bumatay, gallery manager of the Artists Gallery in Virginia Beach and Jorge A. Saenz, Exhibition Coordinator/Curator for Virginia Beach Art Center. Together they are bringing awareness about the Pride Community by promoting this year's exhibit that will consist of a month-long statewide exhibit supported with weekly forums that will highlight an assortment of topics.
The first step is to be an advocate for equality, respect, inclusivity of all peoples living in Virginia and beyond that are part of the Pride Community
A call went out to the community for proposals for Aware '24, and our executive director was interested in bringing awareness about the LGBTQ+ community in the Hampton Roads area. Nicole Pixler from Stand Up for Kids was contacted and our Pride Exhibit "With an Open Heart was born. Nicole runs a youth organization called YOU in Virginia Beach which focuses on 13-to-18-year-olds that are just discovering who they are. The group helps and fosters positive affirming meetings where teenagers and young adults can express themselves and discover who they are through forums with LGBTQ+ community leaders, art and other activities that reenforce a positive outlook on life.
Nicole is co-chairing this year's 4th annual Aware exhibit with Vinnie Bumatay, gallery manager of the Artists Gallery in Virginia Beach and Jorge A. Saenz, Exhibition Coordinator/Curator for Virginia Beach Art Center. Together they are bringing awareness about the Pride Community by promoting this year's exhibit that will consist of a month-long statewide exhibit supported with weekly forums that will highlight an assortment of topics.
The first step is to be an advocate for equality, respect, inclusivity of all peoples living in Virginia and beyond that are part of the Pride Community
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 our past and shape a more just future.
If you have an idea for a FUTURE Aware exhibition, CLICK HERE: Copy of Aware '25 Proposal - Google Forms
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 our past and shape a more just future.
If you have an idea for a FUTURE Aware exhibition, CLICK HERE: Copy of Aware '25 Proposal - Google Forms