THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996 TAG: 9610290125
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 38 lines
The Virginia Beach Center for the Arts wants to ``do lunch.''
The center has a new policy, ``Bring In Your Take Out,'' inviting in lunchtime diners in search of a quiet table surrounded by an artsy ambience.
Mid-day visitors are urged to bring in their fare from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and grab a seat at a linen-covered table set under the interior courtyard's many ficus trees.
Entrance into the museum is free and so is seating. The policy was enacted to encourage weekday attendance at the center.
``The majority of our visitors are on the weekend,'' said Josey A. Mooney, director of public relations. ``We're trying to think of other ways to bring visitors in during the week.''
Visitors are free to wander through the galleries to gaze at exhibitions by contemporary artists who work in all types of mediums.
Currently, the museum is hosting a exhibition of portraits by American photographer, Dawoud Bey. The exhibit, ``Dawoud Bey: Portraits 1975-1995,'' is a 20-year survey composed of more than 90 images by the New York-based photographer.
This exhibition is on view in the center's main galleries until Nov. 10.
Aside from the daily spotlighting of artists, the center also holds a host of educational programs for professionals, teachers and those interested in learning more about art.
The center was opened in 1989 and exists to foster awareness, exploration and understanding of significant art of the time.
There is no admission charge to the nonprofit center, however, donations are accepted and a donation box sits just inside the museum's doors at 2200 Parks Ave. Visitors may also browse the gift shop, which offers an array of unique items for sale. MEMO: For information on programs or memberships, call 425-0000. by CNB