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VWU Student Artists Make Their Mark in Town Center Public Art Exhibit
Hands-on opportunity supports student growth through public art and professional experience
University News | May 15, 2025
A vibrant display of creativity is taking shape in the heart of Virginia Beach’s Town Center this week, thanks to the talent and vision of five 小猪视频 students. These emerging artists have been invited to participate in a temporary pop-up mural exhibit coordinated by the Central Business District Association.
Each student received a $1,000 honorarium to create two 6-foot by 6-foot chalk art murals that will remain on display from May 17 through June 15, 2025. The opportunity not only showcases their artistic talent in a high-traffic, public venue—it also affirms the University’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. Meet the VWU student artists behind these temporary masterpieces:
Sarah Richards ‘26 
A junior from Richmond, Virginia, Sarah Richards is double-majoring in art and psychology. After graduating from VWU, she plans to pursue a Master’s in Counseling and Art Therapy at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Her chalk drawings reflect the same themes found in her other work—floral imagery, girlhood, and the human relationship with nature. Sarah has already left her mark on the community with several murals around Virginia Beach, including in the ViBe Creative District and on VWU’s own campus. Her art aims to inspire hope and boundless ambition.
Whitney Leao ‘25
Whitney Leao of Norfolk recently completed her senior thesis exhibition, Beyond the Frame, at the Neil Britton Art Gallery. A 2025 graduate of Virginia Wesleyan, Whitney is headed to the Master’s in Art Therapy program at EVMS/ODU. Her passion lies in using art as a transformative tool for healing and expression. Her Town Center pieces explore emotion and inner dialogue, emphasizing art's power to express what words cannot.
Jeremiah “Miah” Boateng ‘26 
Graphic design major and Marlin basketball player Jeremiah Boateng, known by friends as “Miah,” brings energetic imagination to his chalk art. Originally from Springfield, Virginia, Miah’s work often includes “Oatis,” a recurring mouse character symbolizing energy and creativity. He views art as a powerful emotional outlet—one that blends faith, persistence, and originality.
Carlton Grimes ‘27 
Military veteran and longtime artist Carlton Grimes brings a wealth of experience and dedication to his work. A graduate of The Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, Carlton also completed an apprenticeship at Orzo’s Studio in Portsmouth. Now a visual arts major at VWU, he continues to explore his lifelong passion for drawing through this exciting public showcase.
Iyonna Valentine ‘25 
A recent VWU graduate and current Master of Education student, Iyonna Valentine is passionate about art education and fantasy-themed acrylic painting. Her chalk murals highlight her imaginative spirit and storytelling skills. Through her work, Iyonna hopes to uplift and inspire, reflecting her dual goals of becoming a professional artist and empowering future generations as an art educator.
Visitors to Virginia Beach’s Town Center are encouraged to stop by the plaza near the fountain to view these colorful, large-scale murals while they remain on display. For these five artists, the project represents more than a pop-up exhibition—it’s a public affirmation of their creativity, their stories, and their futures.