Marley Brown
Desert Irony, 2022
Artist Statement: For many years I've been enamored by the arts. I spent many years teaching myself and working my way through all sorts of medias. It wasn't up until recently I had the opportunity to start really exploring it at a more advanced level and fell entirely in love with all the doors it opened for me and everything it allowed me to express without a single word.
Kyani Garces
A Real Meal, 2023
Spring ‘24 Chicken Nugget & Onion Ring
Floral Table Piece, 2024
Spring ‘24 Burger Vase, 2024
Artist Statement: In my work, I explore how food has become more than just something needed for sustenance; it has become a commodity, a product for corporations to profit from. In my images, I put food in the context of fashion and luxury goods with a comedic and absurd tone. However, there is a serious undertone to my images to express the weird reality of food becoming a commodity. My work draws on the genres of still life, fashion, and product photography. I use vibrant and attractive colors, as they do in advertisements, to grab viewers attention to force them to reckon with this odd relationship we have with food.
A Real Meal, 2024
Madeline Sznoluch
Lightening Bug, 2024
Greetings, 2024
Artist Statement: These works displayed represent important moments and scenes from my personal life forever encapsulated by my hand. A still from a movie, a glimpse of a memory, a bold portrait, a quiet place, and summer that should have lasted a lifetime. Through these works, I am able to step back in time to review some of my most cherished scenes from my life.
Lightening Bug, 2024
Justin Catahan
Half Face, Half Mask, 2022
Artist Statement:
I explore the reality of duality, capturing both the yin and yang of what I see and feel in many of my works. Using graphite on paper, I find a lot of interest in delving into the complexity of organic forms while experimenting with other mediums and subjects to add depth to my work. My art is driven by the belief that understanding comes from viewing the world through multiple perspectives, inviting viewers to see beyond their own. Website: www.justincatahan.com
Mariposa Estrada
Stormy, 2022
Waiting, 2023
Frozen in Time, 2024
Artist Statement: I am a multimedia artist that specializes in many mediums including graphite, charcoal and ceramics. When I was young, I would often search for insects that were hidden among the plants. Now, my love of nature and all its unique wonders has made its way into my art as a core component in my creative process. In my works, I always aim to invoke a sense of serenity, ponder the natural order of life, or give viewers the feeling as if they are a part of the piece itself. I work in miniatures and utilize my pictures within my ceramic tiles, bringing dimension to the viewer and allowing them to physically hold the insect. This is usually impossible due to their timid nature and short lifespan, but on occasion I am lucky enough to find one going about their everyday life.
Frozen in Time, 2024
Cecilia Espinosa
Apple Turnovers, 2023
Artist Statement: My name is Cecilia Espinosa. My preferred art mediums are oil paint and graphite. I use art as a method to display and ease my inner struggles. And with my art, I hope to make people find their own beauty within distress. I don’t want to be held back by the conventions of what’s “proper” or “appropriate.” I just want to show the world what I find beautiful.
Theodore Mayberry
Hydroxyzine 10mg, 2023
Vincula Clausa, 2024
Artist Statement: I approached metal as a medium during a period of upheaval in my life and found that the processes of working with metal mirrors the process of healing. The force and finesse, the two steps forwards and one step back in progress, the blend of traditional techniques and outsidethe-box approaches, each piece I create in metal has been intrinsically linked to the undertaking of healing from the past. Reflecting this, I aim to create artwork that forces observers to confront uncomfortable topics, whether that be the critique of the status quo that inflicts trauma on those who fall outside of it, or the messy and distasteful process of healing from the trauma itself. I create in hopes of finding others with stories like my own who take comfort in the macabre and uncomfortable as I do. I create to challenge my origins and develop
Vincula Clausa, 2024
Best in Show
Cloie Ali
Pretty Little Thing, 2024 / Get Woke, 2024
Artist Statement: As a 48-year-old retired veteran, mother, caregiver for a special needs adult, artist, craftsman, and someone navigating health challenges, I’ve faced many detours. I’m embracing the belief that it’s never too late to pursue my true passion and launch my longawaited career in the arts. I have seized every opportunity to nurture my creativity, and now I’m dedicated to working primarily with metal and wood. These materials let me explore the balance between strength and vulnerability, reflecting the purity of nature as a constant. Nature’s strength and resilience inspire me, and through my work, I aim to capture the same qualities I see in people, particularly women. I approach each piece with a sense of discovery, allowing the materials to inform content and sentiment while employing a steadfast commitment to craftsmanship.
Pretty Little Thing, 2024
Tamia Anderson
Drunken Octopus Still Life, 2024
Artist Statement: My oil paintings, like all of my art, are an exercise of trust. The process of making art, for me, is similar to the process of waking up from a dream: I do remember the processes of mixing paint and applying color, but the memory is fuzzy and it feels like I had stepped out of my body only to come back once the work was finished. My waking dreams are an exploration into light and how it plays with materials: how it reflects, how it obscures, and how it interacts with darkness. I am especially interested in darkness, and how objects emerge from it.
Saisha Boone
Working? Hardly, 2024
Artist Statement: I am a photographer working in the 757 area. My work in portraits has only just begun, but as I figure out my process I am learning I like to do more environmental and meaningful portraits. I want the subject to be very comfortable in front of the camera, I want who they are to shine through the photo, whether that be through props, the environments, or just their demeanor.
Tahjah McGlorn
Older Sibling’s Onus, 2024
Chip and Finley, 2024
The Triplets, 2024
Found Family, 2024
Artist Statement: My work focuses on the human existence. I want to share the stories of those in the world, by going beyond our physical form and focusing on what makes us human—taking the positive and negative aspects of the human experience and making it digestible for my audience. By creating an immersive journey I can bring people closer together and develop a level of understanding with one another. I use playful approaches to distract my audience from uncomfortable topics that address the complexity of life. Bringing forth a youthful approach gives us a break from the constant state of limbo most people settle into. My work is meant to make the viewers think on their own about what they are seeing, this could be surface-level or deeper concepts. I want the power to ultimately be in the hands of the audience, whereas I am just the storyteller.
Chip and Finley, 2024
Teresa Mitchell
AYE, 2024
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, 2024
Artist Statement: As a student artist, I embrace the belief that creativity knows no age. For me, art is a way to keep both mind and hands engaged, a journey of constant exploration. Over the past four years, I'm learning the process of creating is as important as the final piece. It keeps me curious, to experiment with new mediums, techniques, and ideas. My art is an evolving conversation between past experiences and present inspiration. By continuing to challenge myself, I hope to remain mentally sharp while embracing the joy of learning. Art is not just a skill or hobby; it’s a way of thinking and being, a method of expressing myself while staying connected to the world. Through each object I make, I affirm that creativity is timeless and now a lifelong pursuit. I am passionate about the art I am creating. and desire to share with all people.
AYE, 2024
Andrew Berry
Self-Portrait, 2023
Artist Statement:
I always aspire to become a cartoonist from growing up reading comic strips and Japanese manga, and I always enjoyed doodling on my school work. I think the comic medium is great way of storytelling and it can also be humorous. I am currently working on a comic series in which I hope will be successful. I also enjoy drawing illustrations and character design. Website: www.aberryart.com
Deborah Amos Ward
Action, 2023
Artist Statement: I have always had a passion for art. So, after 30 years as an accountant, I decided to embark on an exciting new journey to explore a second career in visual arts. After two years of studying, I have found a profound sense of fulfillment and contentment, knowing that I am finally following my true calling and unleashing my creativity upon the canvas of life.
Website: www.instagram.com/debbwardart
Tyler D. Sessoms
Utopia, 2023
Artist Statement: I’m Tyler Sessoms, an artist from Hampton, Va. My favorite thing about art is the ability to tell stories without saying a word. I typically like to play with cinematic scenes and muted pallets to create a create a very moody and intense tone. My preferred mediums are oil paint and micron pens. I tend to build large fantastical and creepy worlds with equally fantastical and creepy characters and monsters.
Aaliyah Pettiford
Love and Death, 2024
Artist Statement: I pair the whimsical and morbidness of our world into a colorful illustration. I want to pull people deeper into my mind, to find the whimsy that lies within, challenging issues facing our world today. Shocking to the senses, or even angering viewers to help the message have a lasting impression.
Website: https://aalipett.wixsite.com/mysite
Audrey Redford
Portrait Study 2, 2024
Artist Statement: My current work reflects the impact of trauma that results from irreparable harm. Expressed through images of broken silverware, fine China, and other objects of traditional society, these works illustrate the relational wounds that linger within nuclear families, evident but unspoken, yet debilitating. I’ve also included two portraits that showcase my affinity for figurative work and color exploration.
Ichigo Parker
Protection Amulet, 2023
Dreambox, 2024
Artist Statement: I am someone who makes art in order to explore myself and learn to become whole by completing oneself.
My Protection Amulet is inspired by the many forms of protection and cleansing in native and African cultures.
Protection Amulet, 2023
Jordan Phillips
Tinsley, 2023
Lizzy, 2024
Artist Statement: As a young female artist, my work touches on important topics regarding the female experience. Words have never been my strong suit so I find it much easier to articulate my thoughts and emotions through my art. At the beginning of my career, I was more so focused on the technical aspect of my work, but throughout my time in college, I have learned that I am much more satisfied when the work sends a message. My goal is to make the viewer feel something, whether angry, happy, sad, safe, etc. I now make a lot of politically charged work with thought out symbolism such as colors, symbols, flora/fauna, and anything else that could push the message further. Mostly all of my recent pieces surround women’s rights, more specifically, reproductive rights. These rights are slowly being ripped away from us and this is my way of speaking up.
Tinsley, 2023
Riley Cunningham
Biking with Grace, 2024
Artist Statement:
I strive to make sure all my subjects feel comfortable, seen, and valued.
Stephanie Grace
All the Pages of My Life, 2024
Artist Statement: I want my art to feel like home, a safe place to find light and love and laughter. A soft place to let your body rest, a haven of goodness. Our world is heavy sometimes, I want my art to inspire a little bit of light. If the goal of art is to influence the way people feel, I want to make people feel hope. My art is a celebration of goodness and growth.
Dylan Parrish
Capitalism Attacks!, 2022
Artist Statement: My work seeks to confront the complexities of societal norms, cultural contradictions, and the narratives that shape our collective consciousness. Through a fusion of historical references, iconic imagery, and personal interpretation, I create pieces that provoke reflection and challenge preconceptions. Ultimately, my art is about sparking dialogue—between the viewer and the work, between the past and the present, and within the viewer themselves. It is an invitation to engage, to question, and to imagine new possibilities.
Katy Woliver
Blue Velvet, 2024
Artist Statement: Hello, my name is Katy, and I am a 22year-old artist and soon-to-be graduate of Old Dominion University. I have been working in the mediums of photography, design, painting, and drawing for a number of years. My social concerns and what I find emotionally relevant to me have always driven my passion and the messaging in my artwork. This past year, my artwork has taken up dealing with the existential and navigating grief. I feel like my artwork moves between the connection of the body and soul- whether that is suffering the pain of love lost, the disgust of owning a body you cannot control, or the frustrations of perfectionism.
Website: www.kwolart.com
Kaitlyn Compton
Nhà Kính, 2023
Artist Statement: My work explores a newfound, yet deep love for where I am currently and all that it has offered me and serves as a collection of experiences and a documentation of my transformation and the passage of time. Embracing all forms of craft art, including ceramics, glass, and needle-working, led to the subconscious inclusion of the subtleties of Norfolk in all that I create as I find out who I am as an artist and how I can relay that person through my work.
Tinsley Mirabelli
The
Sink, 2023
Artist Statement: Ever since I was little, I’ve had a passion for creating. I was always eager to try something new and spent all my free time crafting. Surprisingly, I didn’t take my first official art class until I attended Old Dominion University. Since then, I have grown more as an artist than I ever thought.
I am a Graphic Design major with a minor in Fashion Merchandising, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for visual storytelling and design. However, I've always had a passion for painting and drawing and continued to take art courses beyond prerequisites including, Painting 1, Drawing 1 & 2, Figure Drawing, Ceramics 1 & 2, and Metalsmithing. These experiences have allowed me to explore diverse materials and techniques, and become a well rounded artist of multiple disciplines.
Artist Ojeriakhi
Artist, 2024
Amor Fati, 2025 (film)
Artist Statement: “If something goes without saying because it came without saying, where can it be said?” This quote is a guiding thought every time I create. Art is my lens through which I explore the world’s intricacies, examine the self, and communicate experiences that resonate across time and culture. Early in my practice, I focused on self-reflective themes, but I gradually recognized the power of art to connect personal experience with collective cultural narratives. This shift was influenced by my studies in museum curation, art education, and ancient cultures, particularly my fascination with how museums present — and sometimes distort — history. I now aim to use my art to prompt questions about authenticity, preservation, and the ways in which stories are told or retold. I believe that art possesses a unique ability to bridge gaps in understanding, allowing us to encounter both the familiar and the unfamiliar with a sense of openness.
Amor Fati (frame), 2025
Odelia Handy
Need, 2024
My Fridge, 2024
Artist Statement: I find it difficult to discover through art, but instead use creation as a means to expel the problems in my head. Once it is out, it no longer plagues me inside. This creation is a necessity for me, even though I wish it wasn’t. Sometimes I feel like my work is performative, because I always perceive what I am or creating through the eyes of others, with the implication of perception innate within my work. It’s difficult for me to say I create solely for myself, as whilst my work is very personal, it exists to be seen. All of my most personal and therapeutic work have been what I consider ‘self portraits’ of sorts, as whilst they might not be a visual representation of myself or even a person at all, they capture my raw self.
Need, 2024
Website: https://odeliathegreat.wixsite.com/ odeliahandyportfolio
Jalina Montoya
Train Passing, 2019
Artist Statement: In the summer of 2019, I ventured to San Francisco for my first trip out west, capturing the city's essence through a series of landscape photographs. This journey marked a pivotal moment in my creative exploration, blending my love of travel with my passion for storytelling through the lens. These photos embody the sense of wonder that comes from stepping into the unknown and I aim to share that same feeling of curiosity, freedom, and appreciation for the beauty of northern California.
Website: jalinasphotography.myportfolio.com
