Press Releases

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach Hosts Exhibition of Posters for Foodbank’s Taste of Hampton Roads

 The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia is gearing up for its 25th Anniversary Taste of Hampton Roads on March 4, 2014. In preparation for this milestone event, the Foodbank has partnered with The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, to call on local artists who will compete to create the commemorative poster for the popular fundraising event. The artists’ designs will be displayed at The Art Institute of Virginia Beach Gallery in Virginia Beach’s Town Center during Hunger Action Month in September. The winning poster will be unveiled at a special evening reception on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 7 pm, which will be open to the public.

“With this being our 25th anniversary of Taste of Hampton Roads, we really want to get everyone in the community involved, and we’re so thankful for the partnership with The Art Institute of Virginia Beach,” said Debbie Mergi, corporate engagement manager for the Foodbank. “Hunger is a community-wide issue and having local artists help tell the story of the Foodbank and this event through their design is a wonderful thing.”

At the 2013 Taste of Hampton Roads, The Art Institute of Virginia Beach was represented by their culinary students and took home the award for Best Dessert. Guests attending the poster unveiling event at the gallery reception on September 6 will also have the chance to taste some delicious morsels prepared by the culinary students. The décor and dishes will be themed in orange — the color of hunger awareness. The winning artist will receive a $1,000 prize provided by The Art Institute of Virginia Beach and their design will be replicated and given to Taste of Hampton Roads Partners as a commemorative piece.

“We believe wholeheartedly in the work being done by the Foodbank and its Partner Agencies to feed those facing hunger in our community,” said Marilyn H. Burstein, president of The Art Institute of Virginia Beach. “Our school is dedicated to turning passion into productivity, and we recognize that same drive and commitment in the work of the Foodbank, so we are proud to partner and engage the artistic community to come to the table in support.”

About the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, a member of Feeding America® and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, has been providing food for those facing hunger since 1981. To date, we have distributed over 214 million meals throughout our service area, which includes the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Franklin, and Virginia Beach as well as the counties of Southampton, Northampton, Sussex, Isle of Wight, and Accomack. For up-to-date information on the Foodbank, you can find us online at www.foodbankonline.org; like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SEVAFoodbank; or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FoodbankSEVA.

About The Art Institute of Virginia Beach

The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, is one of The Art Institutes, a system of private, non-profit schools throughout the United States. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, Two Columbus Center, 4500 Main Street, Suite 200, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 © 2019 The Arts Institutes International LLC. All rights reserved.