Overview
To honor the opening of Virginia MOCA's new home on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University, VWU invites students from all academic disciplines to submit an original project that responds to the upcoming exhibition by acclaimed contemporary artist Nina Chanel Abney. Her work examines race, politics, identity, sexuality, media culture, and contemporary social life through bold color and fragmented narrative. Student response projects will be exhibited in the Goode Center Lobby to coincide with the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum.
Competition Goals
- Engage VWU students in cross-disciplinary academic responses inspired by Nina Chanel Abney's artworks.
- Highlight and display the diversity of academic inquiry across VWU.
- Celebrate original student scholarship and creativity that takes advantage of the Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Offer an experiential learning opportunity that fosters intellectual engagement with contemporary art and public culture.
- Highlight the relationship between the arts and real-world issues.
Eligibility
- Open to all VWU undergraduate students.
- Individual or group submissions allowed.
- Projects may be scholarly, analytical, creative, performative, scientific, or interdisciplinary.
Submission Requirements and Due Dates
- Project Title, Statement of Intent (250–500 words) and Exhibition/Presentation Plan
Submissions Due: Monday, April 13th - The Project Itself and Bibliography of Sources (when relevant)
Submissions Due: Wednesday, April 29th
Evaluation Criteria
- Intellectual or Creative Merit
- Relevance to Themes in Abney's Work
- Depth of Research or Creative Intent
- Originality and Innovation
- Craftsmanship / Professionalism
- Interdisciplinary Awareness
- Impact on Viewers
Awards
- Best Humanities-Based Response
- Best Social Science Response
- Best Natural Science Response
- Best Fine or Performing Arts Response
- Best Interdisciplinary Project
- Audience Choice Award
Timeline
- Competition Launch: January 26th (First Day of Spring 2026 Semester)
- Information Session: Tuesday February 3rd, 12:00pm - 12:30pm in the Athenaeum
- Submission Deadlines:
- Monday, April 13th: Project Title, Statement of Intent (250–500 words), and Exhibition/Presentation Plan
- Wednesday, April 29th: The Project Itself Ready for Display and Bibliography of Sources (when relevant)
- Jury Review: May 1st
- Showcase Event & Awards Ceremony: Friday, May 1st (Spring Undergraduate Research Forum)
Syllabus Scheduling Items to Consider
These Might be In-Class, Homework, and/or Extracurricular Requirements
- Project Introduction, Distribute Information/Links, Establish Groups (for Group Projects)
- Competition Information Session: Tuesday February 3rd, 12:00pm - 12:30pm in the Athenaeum
- Schedule a Date for MOCA Representative to Visit Class to Assist in Interpretation Strategies and/or Project Brainstorming Exercises
- Exhibition Opening Event: April 17
- Exhibition Visit and Reflective Discussion (Exhibition Dates: April 8 - August 16)
- Library Research and Work Periods
- In-Class Project Presentation Date
- Due Date: Monday, April 13th: Project Title, Statement of Intent (250–500 words) and Exhibition/Presentation Plan
- Due Date: Wednesday, April 29th: The Project Itself Ready for Display and Bibliography of Sources (when relevant) to the Goode Center Lobby
- Event Date: May 1st in the Goode Center Lobby (SURF event)
Potential Project Ideas by Discipline
Art, Art History
- Series of digital collages responding to Abney's visual language
- Sculptural reinterpretation of themes like policing or surveillance
- Color-field studies based on her palette
- A graphic-novel–style narrative influenced by her compositional approach
- Curatorial analysis of Abney's practice in a museum studies context
Biology & Environmental Science
- Study on pigments, materials, and sustainability in contemporary art
- Infographic or visualization comparing image density to ecological data systems
- Interpretation of Abney's work through concepts of population dynamics or networks
Business, Marketing & Management
- Branding campaign inspired by Abney's aesthetic
- Market analysis of how contemporary art institutions engage diverse audiences
- Business proposal for community arts programming at VA MOCA
Chemistry
- Analysis of paint chemistry and color theory
- Laboratory recreation of pigment combinations inspired by her palette
- Research poster on toxicity and sustainability in art materials
Communication, Media Studies & Journalism
- A podcast episode or mini-documentary exploring Abney's relationship to contemporary news cycles
- A visual communication analysis of her graphic style
- A social media campaign interpreting her themes for a modern audience
- A critical essay on representation, race, and image circulation in digital culture
Computer Science & Cybersecurity
- AI-generated interpretations of Abney's visual motifs (ethically constructed)
- Interactive digital artwork or game exploring her themes
- Digital mapping of her compositions as networks or systems
- Data-privacy artwork linking cybersecurity themes to surveillance in her work
Criminal Justice
- Analysis of police–community relations as depicted in Abney's imagery
- Research paper on cultural perceptions of authority and representation
- Policy recommendations addressing themes of justice and inequity
Education
- Lesson plan for teaching social themes through contemporary art
- A children's activity book inspired by Abney's style
- Research paper on visual literacy in K–12 settings
English & Creative Writing
- A short story or allegorical narrative inspired by one of Abney's paintings
- A cycle of poems responding to themes of identity, violence, or media culture
- A critical essay analyzing her work through literary or cultural theory
- A multimedia hybrid text combining image and poetry
Math
- Geometric study of compositional structures
- Data visualization project exploring narrative complexity
- Mathematical patterns found in color distribution
Music
- Original composition responding to an Abney image
- Soundscape mimicking the intensity and rhythm of her visual fields
- A musical performance addressing similar themes of identity and conflict
Political Science & International Studies
- Policy analysis inspired by themes of policing or racial inequality
- Research paper on visual activism and protest art
- A mock policy brief proposing community arts interventions
- Comparative analysis of art and political propaganda
Psychology
- Study on viewer perception and emotional response to color-dense political imagery
- Research on identity formation and self-representation
- A cognitive analysis of information overload in Abney's densely packed compositions
Recreation & Leisure Studies
- A community engagement plan linking art-viewing to wellness
- A study of museum spaces as leisure environments
- Program proposal for public workshops at VA MOCA
Sociology & Social Work
- Sociological analysis of race, gender, or sexuality in Abney's work
- A community-based project interviewing students about art and social identity
- Social mapping of power structures represented in the paintings
Theatre & Performance Studies
- Dramatic monologue inspired by a character or narrative suggested in an Abney work
- Movement or physical theatre piece responding to her dynamic compositions
- Scene analysis of media and identity mirrored in contemporary plays