ARTIST STATEMENT

Jaida Garrison is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans visual art, performance, film, and event production. Her practice explores transformation, identity, and the intersections of the personal and communal, creating immersive experiences that invite audiences into acts of reflection, connection, and storytelling.

Alongside her exhibition work, she contributes to film and writing projects and produces artist-led events and activations that support and expand the local arts ecosystem.

WORKSHOPS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Art Seen Residency (2026)

Vibe District Workshop (2025)

Contemporary Arts Network 10×10 Workshop (2025)

 Contemporary Arts Network Workshop (2025)

 Contemporary Arts Network Workshop (2024)

 Contemporary Arts Network Workshop (2023)

CURATION & EVENT PRODUCTION

“The Limital Space,” Cure coffeehouse (Upcoming 2026)

Art Director / Exhibit Curator, “OM” Production, Z Theater (Upcoming, 2026)

Chrysler Museum Mixtape Activation, 2026

Neon Fest, Producer (October 2025)

Chrysler Museum Ignite, Activation (October 2025)

RBLE Pop-Up Exhibition, Curator (September 2025)

Pure Lagos Gallery, Exhibition Curator (March 2025)

Beyond Frequency, Non-profit board member 

Artist Show & Tell,  Monthly Curatorial Event (May 2024–Present)

Garbage Town Art Party, Exhibition & Performance Art (2023)

Vibe Fest,  Activation & Installation (2023)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Live Art Performer, Art Jam, Montréal, QC (March 2026)

Doodle Booth Artist, Virginia MOCA (January 2026)

Vibe District Contractor, Small Business Saturday (November 2025)

Mural Touch-Up Artist, Onie Tonie (October 2025)

 Instructor, Creative Wells Arts Foundation (October 2025–Present)

 Tour Guide, Vibe District(October 2025-present)

 Grant Panelist, City of Virginia Beach (October 2025)

Model, Foster Beauty Fashion Show, Chrysler Museum (September 2025)

Participating Artist, Monster Drawing Rally, Virginia MOCA (August 2025)

Live Artist, Virginia Beach Tattoo Fest(August 2025)

Public Engagement, Vibe District Pride Fest (June 2025)

Portrait Drawing Instructor, Studio Kuumba (March 2025–Present)

Gallery Associate, Pure Lagos Gallery (November 2024–June 2025)

FILM, THEATER & SCREEN

48 Hour Film Project, Participating Artist/Actor (2023, 2024, 2025) Films screened at The Naro Expanded Cinema

Press Feature, Foster Beauty Fashion Show, Virginia Zoo (May 2026)

Film Extra, “Golden,” Universal Pictures (Unreleased, July 2024)

 Actress, “Losing Genesis”, Z Theater (April 2024)

 Actress, “Can’t F With Me, “ Film Screening at Granby Theater (2023)

EDUCATION

Tidewater Community College (TCC), Virginia Beach, VA, Associate of Liberal Arts (2016)

GRANTS & AWARDS

Neon Fest Producer Grant (2025)

Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department Grant (2025)

PRESS & MEDIA

Artist Panelist, A.C.E Gallery, (July 2025)

WHRO Public Lens,  Film Licensed (2026–2029)

Panelist, Art of Coffee Expo  (2025)

Featured Artist, Living 757 Broadcast (2024)

EXHIBITIONS

 2026

Zeke’s Norfolk, solo exhibition (upcoming)

Norfolk Botanical Garden, Solo exhibition (upcoming) 

Cure Portsmouth SPPA exhibition 

The Womxn’s Connective, Traveling Group Exhibition,

“Swamp Sanctuary” Envision Tattoo Gallery, Group Exhibition 

VB Arts Center Grantee exhibition 

Botanical Gardens, “Diversity Gallery”

 2025

Featured Artist, Eleanor’s Norfolk

Art Groove Miami, Group Exhibition

Contemporary Arts Network, “Tenfold” Group Exhibition

Black Voices & Visions,  Attucks Theater

“Black Out”, Group Exhibition

Makers Craft,  Group Exhibition

Coastal Mod, “VA Desh II” Group Exhibition

Vessel Craft Coffee, “Butter” Group Exhibition

The Womxn’s Connective, Group Exhibition

Sevente London  (International), “VA Desh” Group Exhibition

For All Handkind,, “Triptychs” Group Exhibition

Zeke’s Chesapeake, Solo Exhibition

Commune, “Intimate Friends” Group Exhibition

Visual Arts & Design Center (TCC), “Renewable Energies” Group Exhibition

2024

Zeke’s, Solo Exhibition

Commune, Group Exhibition

Ava Galerie, Group Exhibition

Neon Fest, Exhibition

CAN Fest, Summer Mural Exhibition

For All Handkind, “Myths and Legends: The Stories We Told Ourselves” Group Exhibition

“Losing Genesis”, Zeiders American Dream Theatre (Acting & Art Displayed in Show)

2023

Garbage Town, Performance Art Piece

Vibe Fest, Art Installation

Zeke’s Norfolk, Solo Exhibition

Utopia Feni,  Solo Exhibition

For All Handkind, “Traces / Ghosts / Residuals” Group Exhibition

Visual Arts & Design Center (TCC), “A Look Within” Opening Group Exhibition

Virginia MOCA, Open Call Exhibition

Assembly Norfolk, “Cantemporaries Auction” Group Exhibition

Contemporary Arts Network, Group Exhibition

2022

Elevation Brewery, Solo Exhibition

Zeke’s Norfolk, Solo Exhibition

Art Institute, Group Exhibition

Virginia MOCA, Open Call Exhibition