The Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia has come up with an innovative program to uniquely decorate the venue that also reinforces its profile in the community. On May 9th, the Hampton Roads Convention Center will host an opening reception for “Walls of Art,” a new gallery concept for meeting venues.

“Walls of Art” features the work of more than 20 regional artists, which will be displayed throughout the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The artists presented at the event were all chosen by members of the Public Arts Steering Committee, a group of Hampton business people, Hampton Arts Commission board members, and residents. "We are extremely pleased the Hampton Roads Convention Center will be used as an outlet to showcase the tremendously talented artists that the Hampton Roads Region boasts," said Lewis Dawley, General Manager, Hampton Roads Convention Center. "This will be a very special experience for conventioneers who utilize our building."

Art featured at the Hampton Roads Convention Center will be available for purchase. The center is currently requesting that any art purchased be allowed to remain in the building for six months (exceptions will be made to this rule. According to Dawley, new art will be unveiled on the venue’s walls every six months. “At the reception, we will also have applications for new artists and new pieces and for artists to even re-submit work,” he added.

Located in Hampton, Virginia, in the center of the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Hampton Roads Convention Center boasts 35 meeting spaces with the capacity for up to 14,000 delegates, as well as a 108,000 square-foot exhibit hall (divisible by three. Opened in 2005, the center is supported by over 3,045 hotel rooms in close proximity, including the host hotel, Embassy Suites Hampton Roads.