Megan Wynne, Double Rebirth, 2016. digital print. (courtesy of the artist)
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), located in Virginia Beach, announces the opening of their Winter/Spring Exhibitions on view Jan. 28 through April 16, 2017. The exhibition suite explores the worlds of mental health, war, forgotten Virginia landscapes, and celebrates MOCA’s 22nd annual juried show of Virginia artists, New Waves 2017.
27 New Waves artists will have their work shown alongside three poignant exhibitions. Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art features 14 contemporary artists who offer an opportunity to encounter, understand, and break down societal stigmas about mental health through the lens of contemporary craft. Nevet Yitzhak: WarCraft is a video installation that uses traditional Afghan rugs as a vehicle for 3D animations engaging in active battles. MOCA’s Community Gallery features Jamie Betts: Left Behind, a photographic journey of abandoned areas across Virginia.
Mindful was organized by the Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, featuring over 30 works by artists: Jesse Albrecht; Rose Clancy; Jennifer Ling Datchuk; Edward Eberle; Kaitlyn Evans; Lyn Godley; Joan Iversen Goswell; Meredith Grimsley; Michael Janis; Grace Kubilius; Sophia Jung-Am Park; Swoon; Ian Thomas; Alison Saar.
“One in four adults lives with a mental health condition, yet this common illness often remains hidden behind a wall of secrecy and isolation,” said MOCA’s Director of Exhibitions and Education Alison Byrne. “Our hope is that this exhibition and accompanying community programs will offer a platform for dialogue and understanding about mental health.”
MOCA’s Winter/Spring Exhibitions debuts Friday, January 27 with an opening reception from 6:30-8:30pm.
For more information about the exhibitions and programming, visit VirginiaMOCA.org.
