Art Show and Sale
Art Show and Sale
The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Art Show and Sale attracts artists and art connoisseurs throughout Hampton Roads. The 10-day show takes place the last week in January through the first week in February.
Featuring original artwork from over 150 local and regional artists, there are affordable options for everyone - from fine art, handcrafted jewelry and pottery to glass art, sculptures and more. Admission is free, and the community is welcome. Proceeds from the Art Show and Sale support Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s visual and performing arts programs. The show also exposes our students to career opportunities in the arts and inspires them to explore their own creative abilities.
The 41st annual Art Show and Sale is scheduled for January 30, 2027 through February 7, 2027! Online shopping for the Art Show and Sale will be available after hours, starting January 31 through February 7 from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.
2027 Featured Artist
Award-winning Virginia-based painter and calligrapher Chris Jeanguenat has been selected as the 2027 NSA Art Show and Sale featured artist.
Known for her richly detailed and narrative-driven artwork, Chris works in a distinctive baroque illustrative style that blends intricate ornamentation, expressive black linework and layered symbolism. Her work combines storytelling, nature and calligraphy to create visually immersive compositions that celebrate imagination and the beauty of creation.
Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by a lifelong connection to nature and her experiences as both a military child and military spouse, with recurring themes of resilience, transformation and memory. With more than 35 years of painting experience and more than 40 years of calligraphy practice, she has built a career spanning exhibitions, teaching, publications, jury service and arts leadership.
Chris' work has received numerous honors, including Virginia's Best Award at the MOCA Boardwalk Art Show (2025), Best in Show at the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival (2021), second place at Stockley Gardens (2024), Best in Painting awards at both the Seawall Arts Festival and Chesapeake Arts Festival and multiple awards at the Port Warwick Arts & Sculpture Festival. She has been featured by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and served as a Featured Artist at the Rawls Museum.
Her work and career have been highlighted in publications including Chalked Magazine, Painting World Magazine, Turquoise Iris Journal, Voyage Baltimore, Tattoo Savage Magazine, Bold Journey Magazine and Women in Art Magazine. She will also be a featured artist in the summer 2027 edition of What Women Create magazine, will serve as juror for the 2027 Art Speaks Juried Art Show at Bay School Community Arts Center and will present a solo exhibition at the Newport News Community Gallery (December 2026–January 2027).
Chris is also committed to arts leadership and community engagement, serving as exhibitions chair on the executive board of the Suffolk Art League and regularly participating as a juror, instructor and mentor for regional arts organizations.
Her work has been exhibited widely throughout Virginia and beyond in museums, galleries, festivals and cultural institutions, including Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Rawls Museum, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center and the Richmond Cultural Arts Center.
2027 Art Show and Sale
January 30, 2027 –
February 7, 2027
Free Admission and Open to the Community
January 30: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
January 31: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
February 1 - February 5: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.*
February 6: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
February 7: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Lower School, Main Campus
3373 Pruden Boulevard
Suffolk, VA 23434
Online shopping for the Art Show and Sale will be available after hours, starting January 31 through February 7 from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 a.m.
*During the weekdays, all visitors must present a valid state-issued ID to enter the show.
Participating Artists
Ways to Get Involved
Sponsor
Demonstrate your support for the NSA Arts Program at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy through your advance commitment to purchase original artwork during the Art Show and Sale. As a sponsor, you will receive admission for two guests to attend the Sponsors' Reception and you will be listed on the sponsor board.
Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist with the NSA Art Show and Sale committee and help during the week-long event. Volunteers are needed to assist with artist check-in, hanging, sales, receptions, artist check-out and much more! The time commitment will vary.
Displaying Flat Artwork or Multimedia Artwork
Volunteers are needed to assist with hanging flat art and displaying multimedia art. The time commitment may vary based on the availability of the volunteer.
Sales
Volunteers will greet art show attendees and will assist with sales transactions.
Check-in and Check-out of Artwork
Volunteers are needed to assist with the check-in and check-out of artwork. The time commitment may vary based on the availability of the volunteer.
Labeling and Displaying Artwork Tags
Volunteers are needed to assist with labeling and displaying tags for artwork. The time commitment may vary based on the availability of the volunteer.
Student Performers
Student performers in 1st through 12th grade are needed to share their talents. Students will perform during a solo shift ranging from 30 minutes to one hour.
Artists
Applications are now closed for the 2027 Art Show and Sale. If you would like to be added to the 2028 Art Show and Sale mailing list, please fill out the form linked below. Invitations will be emailed mid-July, 2027.
Special thanks to our sponsor, TowneBank.
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to The Camille A. Harrell Endowment Fund for supporting the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Art Show and Sale.
Contact
Melissa Hlinovsky '02
Director of Advancement
mhlinovsky@nsacademy.org
(757)539-8789 ext. 3333