In 1952, the Virginia Beach Art Show and Festival was inspired by a group of artists who gathered on the boardwalk to sell their art for a friend who suffered a stroke. Their sales proved successful, so they created an organization called the Virginia Beach Art Association. Within the next four years, they instituted the Virginia Beach Art Show and Festival.
The first Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show and Festival in 1955 was the first outdoor art show in the country. Approximately 82 artists, many in bathing suits, displayed their art by using chicken wire to tie it to the railing aligning the boardwalk. Hundreds of visitors came to see the art, and an award was given to the best work at the show.
Artists wishing to display their artwork at the Virginia Beach Art Show and Festival must apply and submit an application fee of $30. Once processed, accepted applicants pay $350 for a 10-by-10-foot booth. Artists can send applications to BWAS&F, Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, 2200 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451, or apply online at www.zapplication.org.
Artists must abide by specific guidelines when displaying their art. Festival guidelines prohibit artists from displaying or selling commercially manufactured work, T-shirts or other commercial clothing, jewelry made with commercial products, artwork created from commercial molds or patterns, embellished items, digitally reproduced items or reproductions of works already created. Only work created by or created under direct supervision of the applicant artist is permissible.
Each year, artists interested in portraying the theme for the Virginia Beach Art Show and Festival can enter into a contest to have their work portrayed. One artist wins each year, and the festival sells the artist's work on its posters. The theme for 2010 is " Minds Wide Open: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts." Posters can be pre-ordered for $20 by calling 757-425-0000. Posters are also available for sale at the event. Two runner-up contestants' posters are also available for purchase.