Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show

05/08/2026

CALLING ALL ARTISTS! Apply to the 70th annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show by May 31 for the chance to showcase and sell your work on the iconic Virginia Beach Boardwalk this October 9–11.

Accepted fine art mediums include jewelry, ceramics, drawing, photography, printmaking, glass, fiber, mixed media, metalwork, painting, sculpture, wood, and digital art.

💫 Thousands of visitors, including serious art collectors
💫 Strong art sales potential
💫 Over $30k in artist awards
💫 Booth sitters, overnight security, and artist amenities

This year we’re celebrating 70 years of the event that started the story of Virginia MOCA. Be part of it!

Find the application linked below in the comments.

04/28/2026

…and the Boardwalk Art Show is what started it all. 🩵

Virginia MOCA has reopened in Virginia Beach with a new building on the Virginia Wesleyan campus. Featuring Seamless: Art and Design and Nina Chanel Abney’s The Pursuit of Happiness, the museum signals a renewed focus on contemporary culture, design, and community engagement in one of Virginia’s...

01/05/2026

It’s the end of an era for Virginia MOCA and the beginning of an exciting new one!

Virginia MOCA will open their brand new museum on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University in April and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show October 9–11, 2026.

It's Virginia MOCA's last week open at 2200 Parks Avenue. ❤ If this building holds a memory for you, now’s the time to stop by.

After nearly four decades at our oceanfront home, we’re preparing for the exciting transition to our new home on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University—but not before sending this space off in style. Here’s how to spend our last week here:

Join us for our Farewell Celebrations:

Saturday, January 10
A Farewell to Parks Avenue: Party + Silent Auction
6:00–10:00 PM | $25 for members; $50 for nonmembers

Sunday, January 11
A Farewell to Parks Avenue: Community Celebration
10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Free

Gallery Hours:
Open Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
(Closed Monday & Tuesday)

Join us to reflect and celebrate the end of a transformational chapter in Virginia MOCA’s 70-year history.

Our doors at Parks Avenue close after January 11—come say goodbye with us.

📷 c. 1990

01/04/2026

✨ Silent Auction Teaser ✨

What do these 10 artworks have in common? They all won Best in Show at past Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Shows!

On Saturday, January 10, during Virginia MOCA's Farewell to Parks Avenue Party + Silent Auction, they’ll be part of a collection of 75 incredible artworks on view and available to bid on—starting at just $25–$100.

This exclusive auction takes place in our back-of-house prep areas and art vault—the first and only time you’ll get to experience the space where our exhibitions team has stored and prepared artwork for years. Many of these pieces have lived in our vault for decades, offering a rare chance to reflect on them and take home a piece of Virginia MOCA’s history as we enter a new era.

🎟️ Get tickets now to step inside the vault, explore these historic works, and celebrate our final party at Parks Avenue! Link in comments.

11/28/2025

Check this out! If you've been looking for a vintage Boardwalk Art Show poster, you might just be able to find it tomorrow at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.

✨ VINTAGE POSTER SALE ✨

Own a piece of Virginia MOCA history as part of Small Business Saturday in the ViBe Creative District.

We’ve pulled over 25 different poster designs from our archives, spanning the 1990s to today. From Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show favorites to select exhibition posters, each one makes a perfect keepsake for collectors, art lovers, or anyone who loves a little nostalgia.

Seriously, only $5 per poster. 😎

To purchase, swing by the Museum tomorrow, November 29, from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. Quantities of each poster are limited and available while supplies last!

Preview what’s available: https://tinyurl.com/5yrs7rre

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📷: 2008 Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show poster art by Vonnie Whitworth.

10/20/2025

The 69th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show may be over, but the memories live on!

Commemorate the experience with limited-edition merchandise featuring Before the Boardwalk by artist Mia Guile available now at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Available while supplies last:

T-shirts ($30)
Posters ($25)
Tote bags ($25)

Every purchase supports the arts in your community through Virginia MOCA’s exhibitions and education programs. Stop by during Museum hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM.

10/16/2025

10/16/2025

Award night is our favorite night. ❤

At the 69th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show presented by Atlantic Union Bank artist party, we awarded over $30,000 in prizes to an incredible group selected by our 2025 judges, Kenlontae' Turner and Megan Lykins Reich. There is nothing better than celebrating the artists in real time!

Thank you to everyone who helps us support and champion these artists and their work!

10/12/2025

Congratulations to the award-winning artists of the 69th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show, presented by Atlantic Union Bank!

Thanks to the generosity of our community and donors to the Artist Prize Fund, we were proud to award over $30,000 in prizes to a remarkable group of gifted, hardworking artists. These awards are designed to spotlight excellence in contemporary art—offering both public recognition from the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and meaningful financial support to fuel each artist’s creative journey.

🏆 2025 Award-Winning Artists

Best in Show
Raydel Blanco Valdes

Virginia MOCA Board of Trustees Award
Jay Kim

Award of Distinction in Fine Art
Paul Henry Devoti

Director’s Award
Ashley Sauder Miller

Virginia’s Finest Award, in Memory of Anne Virga, a Virginia Artist
Chris Jeanguenat

Top Artist Under 40, in Memory of Alex Divaris
Brie Hayden

Judge’s Choice Awards
Theresa Heidig Rooney
Petya Ivanova

Best Glass Art Sculpture
Henry Levine

Standards of Excellence Award
Juan Velez

Awards of Merit
Brittany Johnson
Rodney Dunlap

Sand Dollar Awards
YanFang Inlow
Scott Jones
Kim Myers Smith
David Gwaltney
Kristen Culler

A special thank you to our 2025 judges, Kenlontae’ Turner, independent curator, and Megan Lykins Reich, Kohl Executive Director of Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland moCa. We are grateful for the time and care they devoted to viewing each artist’s work, and for their thoughtful engagement with the stories, techniques, and visions behind the art. Their discerning eyes and deep commitment to artistic excellence were integral to this year’s awards.

10/09/2025

🚨69th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show Update

After careful review of the latest weather forecast and in consultation with experts, the 69th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show will operate under a revised schedule this weekend to ensure the safety of our participating artists and guests.

UPDATED SHOW HOURS:
Friday, October 10: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Saturday, October 11: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Sunday, October 12: CANCELED

While we’re disappointed by the impact of the weather, the safety of our artists, staff, and community is our top priority. We’re incredibly grateful for the resilience and support of our artists, volunteers, and everyone who makes this beloved event possible.

🎖️ Judging and awards will continue as planned, with winners announced on Sunday after the Saturday night awards reception.

We encourage you to join us Friday and Saturday to enjoy and support the work of 150 talented artists from across the country.

For the latest updates, visit boardwalkartshow.com.