VB Historic Black Neighborhoods Recognized

VIRGINIA BEACH

The African-American Cultural Center of Virginia Beach (AACCVB) hosted a recognition program on Saturday (May 4) at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). The event  recognized historically Virginia Beach African-American neighborhoods and honored community members who participated in AACCVB’s “Portraits from a Place of Grace” public art installation by Richard Hollant.

“Portraits from a Place” of Grace was unveiled in March at the future home of AACCVB on Newtown Road, and was commissioned by the City of Virginia Beach Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the AACCVB. The on-site installation displays large-scale portraits of community members from historically African-American neighborhoods.

Richard Hollant was on hand to share in the program, along with members of the AACCVB Board and its founder and chairman, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond.

Through interviews, videography, photography and graphics, Hollant  the captured the  aspirations of members of the community. The display can be viewed online at www.portraitsofgrace.us

“The hope is to tell the stories of the past and ‘the now’ of the historic African-American neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, and to portray residents as they meet each other, stand together and imagine a new, bold future for generations to come,”  said Hollant.

The portraits are also on display on the MOCA grounds.