Institute for Contemporary Art Opened Three Exhibitions
The Richmond gallery launched new solo shows featuring work by Tony Cokes, Cassi Namoda, and Diane Severin Nguyen.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University has opened three new solo exhibitions. The shows feature works by Tony Cokes, Cassi Namoda, and Diane Severin Nguyen at the Markel Center.
Why it matters
These exhibitions bring significant contemporary art, including a career-spanning survey from 2024 MacArthur Fellow Tony Cokes, to the Richmond community. The show highlights diverse artistic practices ranging from painting to performance-based installations.
The ICA is presenting three solo exhibitions featuring more than 20 paintings by Cassi Namoda. Admission to the venue is free for all visitors.
The players
Tony Cokes
An artist and 2024 MacArthur Fellow whose survey at the ICA spans works created from 1992 to 2026.
Cassi Namoda
A featured artist whose exhibition includes more than 20 paintings produced between 2018 and 2026.
Diane Severin Nguyen
An artist whose installation at the center adapts a performance work commissioned for the 2025 Performa Biennial.
Institute for Contemporary Art
The exhibition space located at the Markel Center in Richmond that offers free admission to the public.
The details
The exhibitions display a variety of media including films, photography, paintings, sculptures, and performances. Diane Severin Nguyen’s installation notably adapts a performance originally commissioned for the 2025 Performa Biennial.
Timeline
Tony Cokes earned his MFA in sculpture at VCU in 1985.
The Markel Center opened in 2018.
Diane Severin Nguyen's performance was commissioned for the Performa Biennial in 2025.
The exhibitions opened for public viewing on October 5, 2026.
The exhibitions are scheduled to remain on view through February 21, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
The exhibition follows a pattern set by the Performa Biennial by integrating commissioned performance art into the gallery setting. This reflects a broader trend of institutions bridging the gap between live event commissioning and static exhibition curation.
Residents and visitors can access all three exhibitions for free at the Markel Center. The shows will remain open for viewing daily through February 21, 2027.
The takeaway
The concurrent presentation of these three artists highlights a diverse range of contemporary mediums accessible to the public. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trip to the Markel Center before the exhibitions conclude in February 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the regional arts scene, visit our Fine Art section.
More information
Learn more about the current schedule on the Institute for Contemporary Art website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by E-flux.
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