To communicate the need for members of the VCU community to maintain awareness and safety on Richmond’s streets and sidewalks, VCU Libraries seeks visual works of art for a curated exhibit for The Cabell Screen. The large digital screen on the front facade of the Monroe Park Campus library building is a high-profile exhibit space for public art.

The art selected for “Moving with Intention” should capture, suggest, or evoke feelings of alertness, vigilance, care, common sense, and vulnerability in our urban landscape where car and foot traffic co-mingle. Works may suggest anxiety or danger but the curators are especially interested in works that articulate concepts of safety, care for others, and accountability in positive, encouraging, community-building visual voices. Subject matter may find inspiration in all methods of moving through the city–on sidewalks, skateboards, bicycles, scooters and automobiles. This exhibit is tied to VCU’s ongoing commitment to pedestrian safety and public safety as a community responsibility. See background information here

Paintings, illustrations, comic arts, animations, short soundless films or videos, kinetic art or photographs–all visual forms–are invited.  

The selection committee will award one Best in Show honor among the student exhibitors and one Best in Show honor to a faculty/staff/community artist. Best in Show honorees will receive a $500 prize. Honorable mentions may also be given. 

Submissions should be created by faculty, staff, students, alumni or local artists. Works created exclusively using Artificial Intelligence programs are not eligible for display. Artists may submit more than one piece for consideration. The exhibit will run during the fall semester and will be reprised in January 2027. 

The exhibit is organized by VCU Police, VCU Student Media Center, Arts in Healthcare–a project of VCU Medical Center and student government alongside VCU Libraries. 

Works (a digital image or video file) should be submitted no later than midnight September 30 using this submissions/permissions form. Artists retain all rights to their work and give permission to exhibit their art throughout the 2026-27 academic year. Artists whose work is selected for the exhibit will be notified no later than October 15.

The artist’s name and title of the work will be published in a companion news article/blog posting published on the VCU Libraries home page and/or on other VCU channels, including social media. Selected works may also be published on posters or other VCU-branded materials. The artist will be credited.  

Questions? Email cabellscreen@vcu.edu or call (804) 827-3563.