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The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts went bigger and better for its first new exhibit for 2021.

The Living LARGE Art Exhibit opened with a live-streamed tour of the new gallery on Jan. 21. It will be available for in-person viewing through Feb. 19. The BB&T and Norfolk Foundation galleries will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The exhibit features 18 artists who “supersize” their artwork.

“We are very excited to be able to feature seasoned artists alongside up-and-coming painters from the Hampton Roads area in this exhibit,” said Sandy Waters. “Given the large size of these pieces and the various mediums used to create the works, it truly should be seen in person.”

For the exhibit’s opening, Waters and Pat Eelman, who are gallery managers at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, gave viewers a virtual tour of the new display, sharing facts and reviews of the artist’s techniques. The opening also featured pre-taped videos of the artists discussing their art and process, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look.

Six of the 18 artists are from Suffolk, including Rick Byrd, Barbara Harris, Karen Sallaz, Chris Jeanguenat and Hope Kinard.

Since everyone could not gather for an in-person opening, the live-stream event allowed friends and family of the artists from across the country to experience the gallery. Being its first live-streamed event, the center had to use new equipment in real-time for a seamless video. For this 30-minute event, staff members used laptops, cell phone cameras and gimbal and lavalier mics.

“The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts is following all safety protocols, so visitors should feel safe spending time in these beautiful galleries,” said Waters.”

For more information on the Living LARGE exhibition, visit suffolkcenter.org. To view the live opening, visit tinyurl.com/livinglarge21. The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts is located at 110 W. Finney Ave.