Graduation Expressions - An Artistic Plaza Adventure

From May 17 - June 15, Virginia Beach Town Center is celebrating all college, high school, and advanced learning graduates along with those who have received any academic achievement with inspirational and uplifting messages from local artists. 

On the Town Center Fountain Plaza, you can find chalk art provided by 5 different artists who are students and graduates from Virginia Wesleyan University: 

• Jeremiah Boateng
• Carlton Grimes
• Whitney Leao
• Sarah Richards
• Iyonna Valentine

Town Center's very own Graduation Celebration Selfie Picture Frame will also be out at the Fountain Plaza to help capture this memorable moment with family, friends, and loved ones.

While you're here, enjoy some delicious cuisines or purchase a memorable gift from one of our many retailers!

Jeremiah Boateng goes by the name Miah. He’s a Graphic Design major and college basketball player at Virginia Wesleyan University where he majors in visual arts. All throughout his life starting back home in Springfield, VA, he always drew, whether it be at home with family, at school during classes, or when hanging out with friends. Drawing has always been an important escape for him due to the expression of emotion all brought on by simply putting a pencil on a piece of paper. Art allows him to conceptualize crazy concepts and ideas. One particular design seen in his artwork is "Oatis", the mouse or "the energy" which has recently featured heavily in his imagery. Expression and creativity are important to him, and he recognizes they require persistence and faith. 

Whitney Leao is an emerging artist from Norfolk, Va. Her most recent exhibition was the “Beyond the Frame,” her senior thesis exhibition at the Neil Britton Art Gallery at VWU. Following graduation from Virginia Wesleyan University she will attend the Masters Degree Program in Art Therapy at EVMS/ODU. Her goal is to introduce as many people as possible to the art-making process, and its transformative power. Art allows her to explore my emotions and communicate messages that words sometimes fail to express. This emotional connection to my work has strengthened my belief in the importance of art as a tool for self-expression and healing.

Sarah Richards hails from Richmond, Virginia, and is currently a junior at Virginia Wesleyan University, where she studies art and psychology. After graduation, she plans to attend Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling and Art Therapy, aspiring to become an art therapist. In her free time, Sarah enjoys painting throughout Virginia Beach, including three murals on campus and a community fence mural for the ViBe Creative District. Her artwork often features floral themes, representations of girlhood, and human interactions with the environment, reflecting her current interests. Art inspires her every day, and she hopes that her designs can similarly motivate recent graduates, serving as a reminder that their dreams are boundless.

My name is Iyonna Valentine, and I am a dedicated visual artist and recent graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Art. Throughout my academic journey, I focused on developing my skills in acrylic painting, with a particular passion for fantasy-themed artwork that reflects my creativity and imagination. My experiences in studio courses, campus exhibitions, and collaborative projects have helped me refine my artistic voice and deepen my understanding of visual storytelling. Art has always been a powerful outlet for me—a way to explore complex ideas, emotions, and narratives. I am now continuing my education at Virginia Wesleyan as a graduate student in the Master of Education program, with the goal of becoming an art educator. I aspire to inspire and empower students to find their own voices through creative expression, just as I have found mine. Ultimately, I hope to establish myself as both a professional artist and a dedicated educator, making a meaningful impact through art and teaching. My vision is to create work that resonates, educates, and uplifts others.

This event is brought to you by the Town Center businesses and the City of Virginia Beach and produced by the Central Business District Association.

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