(On view at Chrysler Museum of Art: Greta Pratt (American, born 1955), “Juneteenth Celebration,” 2023 Archival pigment print © Greta Pratt)
Compiled by Staff
“Greta Pratt: Jamestown Is Sinking”
Through July 27
Chrysler Museum of Art
Greta Pratt’s photographic series Jamestown is Sinking explores the disparities and connections between climate change and colonialism in Virginia’s coastal region, where sea level threatens both land and history. In 1607, British colonists entered the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, sailed up the James River, and established the colony of Jamestown on Indigenous land. Today, that history is kept alive through immersive period installations and reenactments, while throughout the region, inequities persist with stately beachfront homes and former plantations that dwell in proximity to worn-out apartment buildings.
“Human Nature”
Through June 22
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Art Gallery
Virginia Beach artist and educator Melissa Schappell explores the cross-sections between psychology and art. Schappell aims to create original mixed media pieces that foster dialogue about the psychology of the human experience by visually expressing them in whimsical, satirical, and symbolic ways. Despite their theatrical and metaphorical nature, the works expose personal, societal, and cultural truths. The work embodies a style that both physically and conceptually fuses elements of early renaissance and surrealism with dada and abstraction. In these pieces, the metaphorical characteristics and duality of Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel’s work are combined with the social commentary and narrative qualities of Barbara Kruger and Kara Walker.
“MAMA-Girl!”
Through May 10
Baron & Ellin Gordon Art Galleries @ ODU
A whimsical art exhibition of 150 works honoring the life and work of Eastern Shore artist and pastor Mary Elizabeth “MAMA-Girl” Onley (1953 – 2018).
“Waves of Strength: Portraits of African American Shipyard Workers from Tidewater VA”
Through June 22
Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center
“Waves of Strength” is the newest evolution of artist Glen McClure’s summer 2014 photography project documenting the lives and experiences of the proud men and women who tirelessly labored in South Hampton Roads’ massive shipyard industries. This exhibit highlights African American workers who participated in that project and who have allowed these shipbuilding industries to thrive and flourish over the last several decades.
“Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine”
Through May 28
Muscarelle Museum of Art @ William & Mary
Bringing 25 rarely-displayed masterpiece drawings by Michelangelo to the United States, “Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine” will offer American viewers an unprecedented opportunity to experience first-hand the genius of the famed artist. Displaying Michelangelo’s initial studies and early drawings of the famous frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the exhibition will explore the rich story of the origin of these works, arguably some of the most famous in the world.
“Joyce J. Scott: Messages”
Through August 17
Chrysler Museum of Art
For more than three decades, trailblazing artist and activist Joyce J. Scott (American, born 1948) has elevated the creative potential of beadwork as a relevant contemporary art form. Scott uses off-loom, hand-threaded glass beads to create striking figurative sculptures, wall hangings, and jewelry informed by her African American ancestry, the craft traditions of her family (including her mother, renowned quilter Elizabeth T. Scott), and traditional Native American techniques, such as the peyote stitch. Each object that Scott creates is a unique, vibrant, and challenging work of art developed with imagination, wit, and sly humor.
“Duke Riley: O’er the Wide and Plastic Sea”
Through August 31
Virginia MOCA
The exhibition “O’er the Wide and Plastic Sea” surveys two decades of work by New England-born, Brooklyn-based artist Duke Riley who is known for innovative and intricate installations, performances, videos, sculptures, and drawings that call attention to the ways in which institutional power collides with the natural world. Riley’s works, which evoke the aesthetics and imagery of early Americana and maritime craft, are rooted in folkloric narrative while addressing contemporary issues. Often rebellious and raucous in tone, his pieces weave fact and fable, humor and tragedy, to remind us that truth can be stranger than fiction. Taking on themes such as corporate greed, environmental crises, and the underpinnings of American military prowess, Riley consistently portrays the ways in which industry attempts to overtake nature and the ingenious ways that nature fights to overcome.
“Born of Dirt”
Through April 27
Virginia Beach Art Center
Clay, sand, wood, stone, plants, and metals are all materials used to create some of the most extraordinary and ancient artworks known to man. Imagine Da Vinci grinding his pigments to create the Mona Lisa or the ancient Greeks carving their statutes from marble, all have used elements provided by Mother Earth to create works of art. We may push our pigments out of a tube and buy our clay and all types of mediums and materials through vendors that supply them, but these are all made from natural materials that come from the earth.
“Flourish: An Annual Juried National Exhibition of Floral and Botanical Artworks”
Through May 24
d’Art Center
“Flourish” is an exhibition of floral and botanical artworks from across the country. Work must depict flowers and/or plants to be considered. Works can include other objects, but the focal point/subject of the work should focus on the floral or botanical element(s). This is the fourth in a series annual exhibit kicking off The Historic Garden Week in Virginia.
“PLAYTIME: Toys and Art”
Through August 23
C.H. Taylor Visual Arts Center
This exhibition of toys and art is a captivating showcase that blends the worlds of childhood wonder and artistic expression. Within the galleries, visitors are greeted with a colorful array of toys, ranging from classic playthings to contemporary designs, each carefully curated to evoke nostalgia and fascination. Featured artists include Joshua Soloman, Sam Hundley, Clayton Singleton, Corinne Lilyard Mitchel, and Karen Freidt.
“Teachers Exhibit”
Through May 27
Jean Rawls Art Classroom @ Virginia Beach Art Center
This year’s exhibit is outstanding with 44 pieces of art created by Virginia Beach Art Center teachers.
“Play in Light”
May 2 through June 1
Virginia Beach Art Center
One of the most important and basic composition structures in art is the use of light. Light translates to values assigned within our artworks, look at the use of chiaroscuro in the works of many masters and how the use of light versus dark draws you into their works.
“JJJJJerome Ellis: Contradictions”
May 2 through November 2
Chrysler Museum of Art
In the Box, this exhibition presents two video works “Impediment is Information” (2021) and “transCRIPted” (2020) in which Ellis explores notions of dysfluency through Blackness, language, music, and time as a strategy for resistance and survival.
“Planet Earth, Nature’s Palette”
Through July 6
Towne Pavilion Center 1
Mother earth is full of wonders to explore and what best way then through the creativity of an artist. Our planet offers an abundance of inspiration from sunrises to sunsets, flora, fauna, humanity and the creations engineered by mankind are all viable creative forces to use as vehicles to spring from. Enjoy 48 artistic impressions of “Planet Earth, Nature’s Palette” at Virginia Beach Art Center’s offsite exhibition at Towne Pavilion Center 1 (2101 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach). Artworks are on floors 1,3,4,5 and 8. Open Monday-Friday 7am to 6pm.
