Looking for inspiring things to do in Virginia Beach this summer? Add a visit to Virginia MOCA to your itinerary. Recently relocated from the ViBe Creative District to a striking new home on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is entering an exciting new chapter, bringing bold exhibitions, interactive experiences and creative programming to locals and visitors alike.
A short drive from Chesapeake Bay and the Oceanfront, Virginia MOCA offers a fresh way to experience Virginia Beach contemporary art. Best of all, admission is free for Virginia residents. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Now on View: Unmissable Exhibitions
The art scene in Virginia Beach is thriving, but these exhibitions won’t be on view forever. Here’s what to put on your calendar before they close.
Nina Chanel Abney: The Pursuit of Happiness
(April 18 – August 16, 2026)
Few debut exhibitions make a statement quite like this one. Nina Chanel Abney: The Pursuit of Happiness centers on the contemporary artist known for work that hits with both visual force and emotional weight. The show spans large-scale paintings, collages, sculpture and a fully immersive installation all circling questions of resilience, happiness and what it means to navigate an uncertain world.
Her work is restless and richly packed, the kind you can stand in front of for ten minutes and keep finding new things. Whether you’re a regular at Virginia Beach art exhibits or stepping into a contemporary art museum for the first time, The Pursuit of Happiness is a powerful way to get acquainted with what MOCA’s new space has to offer.
Seamless: Art and Design
(April 18 – August 16, 2026)
Running alongside the Abney exhibition, Seamless: Art and Design takes a fascinating angle: what do artists make when their design training no longer has to serve a practical purpose? The exhibition features creators whose roots are in graphic design, street culture and visual systems but here, those foundations become a springboard rather than a destination. Typography, pattern, illustration and signage get pulled out of their functional contexts and transformed into something more open-ended and expressive.
The result is work that feels both familiar and freshly strange. Recognizable visual languages, the kind you might pass on a billboard or find in a brand identity, are reimagined as art that invites you to sit with ambiguity.
Suzanne Stevens: Retrospective
(May 23 – October 11, 2026)
Also opening this season, the museum is presenting Suzanne Stevens: Retrospective, honoring a beloved figure who spent more than 45 years teaching at MOCA, shaping countless artists and students in the Virginia Beach community.
Stevens works in watercolor, oil, pastel and charcoal, moving fluidly between landscapes, portraiture and studies of the natural world. This retrospective is a fitting tribute to both her artistic vision and her decades of generosity as an educator.
Beyond The Galleries
Virginia MOCA isn’t just a place to look at art — it’s a place to make it, talk about it and connect over it.
Looking to Learn: Art and Storytime
Sunday, May 31 (monthly occurrence)
This free monthly program designed for children ages 3–8 and their families to explore the galleries together through close looking, a read-aloud storybook and a hands-on making activity — all tied to a theme drawn from what’s on view.
Virginia MOCA Art + Design Convening
Saturday, June 13
This full-day event brings artists, designers, architects and creative practitioners into conversation, featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions and opportunities to connect with the local creative community. This year’s highlight: a conversation between Andy Howell and Eric Haze, both exhibiting artists in Seamless: Art and Design.
Art Crush: After-Hours Gallery Game Night
Thursday, July 9
Part social event, part creative adventure, Art Crush turns the museum into a playground for adults. The evening kicks with drinks and light icebreakers before moving into the galleries for a guided group experience built around the art on view. Expect team challenges, scavenger hunts, unexpected prompts and playful assignments designed to get people looking closely and talking genuinely. Reservation is required.
Night Shift
Friday, July 24 (Ages 18+)
Virginia MOCA goes after-hours for a high-energy experience like no other. Local DJs and live performances fill the new space as emerging artists, performers and a collection of local makers and food trucks take over the galleries. Wander between exhibitions, music and pop-up experiences at your own pace.
Studio Art Classes: Come Make Something
From one-day workshops to multi-session series, Virginia MOCA’s studio art program has something for every age and skill level.
First Art
Friday, June 5 (with 4 sessions)
A relaxed, playful studio experience designed for MOCA’s youngest visitors. Each session invites little ones to explore paints, sensory materials and simple tools at their own pace — building fine motor skills, sensory awareness and creative confidence along the way.
Sewing and Textile Design
Saturdays, June 20 through August 1 (with 6 sessions; skipping July 4)
In this beginner-friendly multi-week course, participants explore the textures, patterns and creative possibilities of fiber art. You’ll get comfortable with a sewing machine and work through techniques including folding, appliqué, basic piecing and decorative stitching.
Teen Ceramics Workshop
Saturday, June 6 (with 2 sessions)
Teens get their hands dirty in this two-part workshop focused on building a one-of-a-kind mug from scratch. Participants learn foundational hand-building techniques like slab construction, surface design and adding handles and details all before glazing their finished piece.
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Written by Nicole Partis
From coastlines to city streets, Nicole is always in search of great food, new experiences and the next place to take a dip in the sea. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Southern California and has traveled to over 20 countries, always on the move. Passionate about travel writing, she is constantly on the lookout for destinations and experiences worth sharing.
