EXHIBITIONS
d’Art Center
Open Call for Artists
Our open calls to artists for our exhibitions go onto CALLFORENTRY.ORG about a month and a half before each exhibition’s scheduled opening day. Current open calls are listed below. Our annual exhibition schedule can be found below.
If you are an artist and would like to be on our eblast list for open calls, please contact the Gallery Director at abradley@d-artcenter.org.
MAIN GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
THE VAULT
This one hundred and thirty-two square foot exhibition space is a historical bank vault within the d’Art Center and gives artists an opportunity to exhibit their work in a unique space in the heart of the Norfolk Arts District. All styles and aesthetics are considered.
The Vault can be booked for Invitational Shows, Small Group Shows, or Juried Open Call Shows.
Artists interested in submitting a proposal for The Vault can download a proposal form here.
The d’Art Center markets the show through its social media and patron base and provides invitational postcards/fliers. There is a 60/40 commission on sales (60% Artist, 40% d’Art Center).
Calls for artists open on CALLFORENTRY.ORG during the times listed under each show Below on the full exhibit scheduled.
Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
Gilded: A National Juried Exhibition of Artworks that Incorporate Gilded Elements
Saturday May 31st – Saturday June 28th, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 5th, 5:30 – 7:30
Gilded is an exhibition of artworks that incorporate gilded elements. Gilding is the art of decorating and covering surfaces with a thin layer of gold or other metal, such as silver, palladium, aluminum, and copper. Works in this exhibit will highlight the unique uses and applications of these metals.
This is a juried exhibition curated by d’Art Center.
Awards selected by artist Jorge A. Saenz.
Affirm: A Juried National Exhibition of Artworks from the LGBTQIA+ Community
Saturday May 31st – Saturday June 28th, 2025
Affirm is a nationally juried exhibition of artworks from the LGBTQIA+ & Allied Community in d’Art Center’s Vault for Pride Month. For this exhibit, The d’Art Center is asking artists to use the freedom of art making to express their pride. 2D & 3D works in all mediums are eligible for this exhibit
Special Pride Kick-off Event
Celebrate the start of Pride Month at d’Art Center with two stunning exhibitions under one roof: Affirm and Gilded.
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, Pride history, and more as we celebrate creativity and identity in all its forms! Our theme is SHIMMER & SHINE, so be sure to dress accordingly!
Event proceeds will support Hampton Roads Pride & The d’Art Center.
In the Vault, Affirm will feature powerful works by LGBTQIA+ and allied artists. In the Main Gallery, Gilded will showcase a dazzling exploration of gilding — the art of adorning surfaces with gold, silver, copper, and more!
Find out more and get tickets to this event here.
Figment: A National Juried Exhibition of Fanciful, Whimsical, and Surreal Artworks
Saturday, July 5th – Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, July 11th, 5:30 – 7:30
Figment is an exhibition that features whimsical, surreal, and/or fantasy themed artworks. The d’Art Center is seeking to exhibit works that come from the artist’s imagination and push the boundaries of reality and surrealism by depicting something purely from the artist’s mind! Works can also be inspired by fairy tales, legends, myths, mythical creatures, magic, folklore, etc. 2D & 3D works in all mediums and all styles are eligible for this exhibit.
Digital Art, such as digital collaging and compositing (like the Figment exhibit image), will be considered. No AI generated images.
This exhibit is co-curated by d’Art Center Gallery Director, Amanda Bradley, and juror & artist, Chris Jeanguenat.
The Vault – Catherine Hillis: Chasing the Light
Saturday, July 5th – Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
Dual Opening Reception with Figment: Friday, July 11th, 5:30 – 7:30
“I can’t imagine a day without painting. I consider it an honor to interpret the landscape around me and I hope that, through my art, I can record scenes for future generations.”
Catherine Hillis defines herself as an artist, teacher, writer, and juror. Working primarily in watercolors, the artist loves the transparency and immediacy of the fluid mark and considers herself to be a watercolor advocate. As for subject matter, it’s always about the light, both figuratively and literally. She finds herself drawn to scenes that are often forgotten and seeks out the intrinsic beauty in the most neglected of places. When the light is just right with a compelling narrative, it’s a painting.
Hillis has won hundreds of awards and travels extensively to paint in national juried plein air events and invitationals and to teach workshops. Her work is found in museums and corporate and private collections around the world. She’s earned 9 signature memberships and is a proud member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. A regular contributor to the American Watercolor Weekly Newsletter, her work has been featured in Watercolor Magazine, American Watercolor Weekly, The Art of Watercolour, Fine Art Connoisseur, PleinAir Magazine, the Washington Post and the Splash series.
Hillis maintains a home studio in Locust Grove, VA.
Artist Statement
“I admit it. I’m a daydreamer. I’m also a bit of a gypsy. Wherever I happen to be wandering is where I’ll be painting. When the light is just right and I see a compelling narrative, my brushes and paint come out. I want viewers to join me on this journey and enjoy the daydream. I hope you’ll find a piece that speaks to you and takes you to another time and place with a satisfied smile on your face.”
Flowing and Flying: A Juried National Exhibition of Waterscapes and Waterbirds
Saturday, August 9th – Saturday, September 6th, 2025
Opening Reception, Thursday, August 14th, 5:30 – 7:30
Flowing & Flying is an exhibition of artworks that feature waterscapes such as the ocean, lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands, and swamps, and/or the birds that inhabit them.
Artworks may depict just a waterscape, just a waterbird, or both in the same work.
This exhibit is co-curated by d’Art Center Gallery Director, Amanda Bradley, and juror & artist, Sue Mangan.
The Vault – LENS ERT: A local Photography Exhibit of the Elizabeth River Trail
Saturday, August 9th – Saturday, September 6th, 2025
Dual Opening Reception with Flowing & Flying, Thursday, August 14th, 5:30 – 7:30
LENS ERT is an exhibition of photographs taken by Hampton Roads Photographers.
This exhibition will take place in our smaller exhibition space, The Vault, to create a more intimate and theme based experience for our patrons. The d’Art Center is working with the ERT to create more local awareness and understanding of this 10.5 mile trail.
This is a juried exhibition in an intimate space, and it will be juried and curated by d’Art Center Gallery Director, Amanda Bradley. The Best in Show award will be selected by a panel of d’Art Center’s professional working artists and staff.
VIVID: Annual Juried National Exhibition of VIBRANT, BOLD & LOUD Artworks
Saturday, September 13th – Saturday, October 18th, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, September 19th, 5:30 – 7:30
VIVID is an annual exhibit at d’Art Center that features 2D and 3D artworks from across the country in all mediums that are exceptionally vibrant, bold, loud, and/or brilliant in color! We want our patrons to experience an EXPLOSION of color as they enter this exhibit.
This is a juried exhibition, and it will be curated by Gallery Director Amanda Bradley. Award winners will be selected by Juror and Artist, Hillarey Breedlove.
The Vault – ¡Presente!: A Juried National Exhibit of Contemporary Hispanic Folk Art in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
Saturday, September 13th – Saturday, October 18th, 2025
Dual Opening Reception with VIVID, Friday, Spetember 19th, 5:30 – 7:30
The d’Art Center is curating a juried show in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
¡Presente! is an open medium exhibition of artworks that explore a variety of 2D and 3D works that pay homage to hispanic heritage using the freedom of art making. Works my reflect cultural traditions, hispanic history, the vibrant colors & imagery typical of hispanic folk art, and/or the beliefs of Hispanic communities.
This exhibition will take place in our smaller exhibition space, The Vault, to create a more intimate and close up experience for our patrons. The Vault is a historical bank vault within the center, and gives artists an opportunity to exhibit their work in a unique space in the heart of Norfolk Arts District (The NEON District). This will be a competitive call as this intimate space will only be able to accommodate about 20 works
Full 2025 Exhibition Schedule
- Main Gallery – Portrayed: A National Juried Exhibition of Portraiture. Call Open: Mon. 10/7/24 – Sun. 11/10/24
- Vault – Brittany Johnson
Exhibits Open: Sat. 1/11/25 – Sat. 2/8/25
- Main Gallery – Surface 2: A National Juried Exhibition of Artworks Unique in Texture or Pattern. Call Open: Mon. 11/25/24 – Sun. 1/12/25
- Vault – Anne May
Exhibits Open: Sat. 2/15/25 – Sat. 3/8/25
- Glass Immersed: A Glass Exhibit at d’Art Center for the 2025 NFK Glass Circuit Event
Exhibit Opens: Fri. 3/28/25 – Sat. 4/12/25
- Main Gallery – Flourish: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Floral and Botanical Artworks during VA Garden Week. Call Open: Mon. 1/27/25 – Sun. 3/2/25
- Vault – Andy Harris
Exhibits Open: Sat. 4/19/25 – Sat. 5/24/25
- Main Gallery – Gilded: A National Juried Exhibition of Artworks that Incorporate Gilded Elements. Call Open: Mon. 2/24/25 – Sun. 4/6/25
- Vault – Affirm: A Juried National Exhibit of Artworks from the LGBTQIA+ Community. Call Open: Mon. 2/24/24 – Sun. 4/6/25
Exhibits Open: Sat. 5/31/25 – Sat. 6/28/25
- Main Gallery – Figment: A National Juried Exhibition of Fanciful, Whimsical, and Surreal Artworks. Call Open: Mon. 4/7/25 – Sun. 5/11/25
- Vault – Catherine Hillis
Exhibits Open: Sat. 7/5/25 – Sat. 8/2/25
- Main Gallery – Flowing & Flying: A Juried National Exhibition of Waterscapes and Waterbirds. Call Open: Mon. 5/12/25 – Sun. 6/15/25
- Vault – LENS ERT: A Local Photography Exhibit. Call Open: Mon. 5/12/25 – Sun. 6/15/25
Exhibits Open: Sat. 8/9/25 – Sat. 9/6/25
- Main Gallery – VIVID: A National Juried Exhibition of VIBRANT, BOLD, and LOUD Artworks. Call Open: Mon. 6/16/25 – Sun. 7/20/25
- Vault – ¡Presente!: A Hispanic Folk Art Show. Call Open: Mon. 6/16/25 – Sun. 7/20/25
Exhibits Open: Sat. 9/13/25 – Sat. 10/18/25
- Main Gallery – Reminiscent: A National Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Impressionism. Call Open: Mon. 7/28/25 – Sun. 9/7/25
- Vault – Tiny But Mighty: Annual National Juried Exhibition of Small Artworks. Call Open: Mon. 7/28/25 – Sun. 9/7/25
Reminiscent Open: Sat. 10/25/25 – Sat. 11/29/25
Tiny But Mighty Open: Sat. 10/25/25 – Sat. 12/6/25