With Love: 1000 Flowers Exhibition
- Rebecca Cassity
- May 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 4
I am so honored to be one of the featured artists of Virginia MOCA’s With Love: 1000 Flowers exhibition. This satellite gallery honors NAMI Virginia’s With Love Gala, an event that has raised funds for our community, supporting programs to fight the stigma of mental illness. This elegant event was held at the prestigious Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA, in which many wonderfully local artists’ works were featured, including my piece, Blue Morpho Wing. All artists’ works were donated on behalf of the artist for the auction.
In support of this past event and the imperative work of NAMI Virginia, VA MOCA invited several artists to display their work in the With Love: 1000 Flowers exhibition. I have three original pieces displayed in the gallery: Blue Morpho Butterfly, Luna Moth, and Leopard Moth. All of these are original watercolors that I painted between 2024 and 2025 – two of the pieces (Luna Moth and Leopard Moth) were displayed at the 68th VA MOCA Boardwalk Art Show. Blue Morpho Butterfly was a piece I painted exclusively for this event – a metaphoric nod to transformation and hope. I am pleased to say that it has since been acquired by a collector, but remains on view until the end of the exhibition.
"You do not just wake up and become the butterfly. Growth is a process." - Rupi Kaur
The metaphoric meanings of butterflies and moths are truly inspirational. Often standing for transformation, butterflies and moths are a powerful and awe-inspiring symbol of change. Whether seen as a sign of personal growth or as a visit from a passed loved one, they are ultimately seen as a symbol of hope and new beginnings. I wanted to share these particular pieces for this event for that reason.
The topic of mental health is extremely important. Personally, I felt called to donate and support this cause because I have dealt with and overcome several struggles with depression throughout my life. Right before seeking help from others, I experienced several extremely hard events. Navigating a pandemic with small children following the loss of my mom were consecutive events that led to the decision to seek help from an outside source. I could no longer could bear that weight alone.
There never needs to be a reason to validate mental illness. But, undoubtedly, we will all encounter tragedy at some point. Navigating it does not need to be a solitary journey. I've had friends and family deal with their own struggles - being verbal and open about mine has opened a safe space for others to express their own. It is imperative to keep the conversation flowing about mental illness and fight the stigma of it.
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly..." - Proverb
If you are in the Virginia Beach area and would like to visit the satellite gallery, it is located at Pavilion II, 600 22nd Street in Virginia Beach, VA.
For more information about the gallery: https://virginiamoca.org/exhibitions/with-love-1000-flowers/
For information about NAMI Virginia: https://namivirginia.org
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