Thriving through change to CREATE with art museum director Alison Byrne
• – • The Creative Well Arts Foundation
About the speaker
Alison Byrne is the Executive Director of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA), where she leads the museum’s vision as a vital cultural and educational resource for the Alison Byrne is the Executive Director of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA), where she leads the museum as a vibrant cultural and educational hub for the region. She is currently guiding the opening of Virginia MOCA’s new home on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University in 2026. A 2025 Arts, Culture, and Design Honoree at the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards and a Women in Business Honoree, Byrne also serves on the board of the ViBe Creative District and the City of Virginia Beach Public Art Committee. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, she lives in Virginia Beach with her two children.
Local partners
The Commission’s work plan goals are realized through the initiatives of its committees. These committees focus on developing and promoting leadership within the arts, advocacy for arts organizations and creating and sustaining effective arts programs and services.
The Creative Well Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that art has the power to heal, connect, and sustain us throughout our lives. We exist to support artists of all ages and stages by providing accessible studio spaces, therapeutic and educational programming, and opportunities to grow and share their work within a thriving creative community.
Our friends at Brand Fuel are a brand merchandise agency with a B Corp certification. They have invested 26 years in our community, creating branded gear worth remembering and are committed to sustainability, trust, originality – and a lot of fun. Trust us, you want them at your party ;)
Additional details
Thriving through change to CREATE with art museum director Alison Byrne
• Friday, May 15, 2026 • 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM EDT • The Creative Well Arts Foundation - 536 Virginia Beach Blvd
Light refreshments provided at 830am– bring your own reusable mug for coffee. Come network with your creative community.
The talk begins promptly at 9am followed by Q&A.
This event is supported in part by grants to the ViBe Creative District nonprofit from the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission.
About the speaker: Alison Byrne is the Executive Director of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA), where she leads the museum’s vision as a vital cultural and educational resource for the region. She is currently leading the opening of Virginia MOCA’s new home on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University in 2026. A 2025 Arts, Culture, and Design Honoree at the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards and a Women in Business Honoree, Byrne also serves on the board of the ViBe Creative District and the City of Virginia Beach Public Art Committee.
Local partners The Creative Well Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization rooted in the belief that art has the power to heal, connect, and sustain us throughout our lives. We exist to support artists of all ages and stages by providing accessible studio spaces, therapeutic and educational programming, and opportunities to grow and share their work within a thriving creative community.
ViBe Creative District exists to promote, support, connect, and inspire the arts and creative industries to boost our local economy, grow jobs, and enhance our quality of life.
The Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission’s work plan goals are realized through the initiatives of its committees. These committees focus on developing and promoting leadership within the arts, advocacy for arts organizations and creating and sustaining effective arts programs and services.
Our friends at Brand Fuel are a brand merchandise agency with a B Corp certification. They have invested 26 years in our community, creating branded gear worth remembering and are committed to sustainability, trust, originality – and a lot of fun. Trust us, you want them at your party 😉
PLEASE RSVP FOR A SEAT AND COFFEE COUNT
Location
Hosted at
The Creative Well Arts Foundation
536 Virginia Beach Blvd
Virginia Beach, Virginia United States 23451
When
–
Event Photographer Misty Prewitt
Host Kate Pittman
Co-Host Tessa Hall Duquette
Co-Host Robert Fiveash
Co-Host Alicia "Sunny" Peoples
Blogger Valeria Palmertree
Event Coordinator RACHEL JAFFE
Videographer Chris Lane
Event Coordinator Destini Harrell
