VCUarts launches Capital Prize exhibition with developer partnership in Scott’s Addition apartment complex

VCU School of the Arts is launching a new alumni art competition and exhibition this spring through a partnership with real estate firm Capital Square, placing selected works inside Chasen, a recently opened apartment complex in Scott’s Addition.

The inaugural Capital Prize exhibition opens to the public on Friday, March 6, 2026, and features work by 19 alumni from VCUarts’ Painting + Printmaking program. The show is the result of a fall 2025 call for entries that drew 73 submissions, with 20 works ultimately selected for two rounds of exhibitions. Each round includes $5,000 in jury-awarded prizes.

The exhibition is being held inside Chasen, a 352-unit multifamily development at 2922 West Marshall Street. Artwork will be installed across two floors of gallery space within the building, which is owned and operated by Capital Square.

Leila Grothe, operations manager for the Ruth Foundation for the Arts and a former associate curator at the Baltimore Museum of Art, served as juror. Prize winners will be announced on February 21st, ahead of the exhibition opening. Awards include $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $500 for third place.

Participating artists in the first-round exhibition are:

Aaron Tran, Amy Chan, Angelica Credle, Alexandra McGowan, Chunghee Yun, Eleanor Mahin Thorp, GM Keaton, Julia Nauroth, Juliana Bustillo, Kristen Andes, Louisa Bodor, Luis Vasquez La Roche, Mahari Chabwera, Matt Shelton, Nadia Msalek, Natalia Mejía Murillo, Pia Bakala, Scott Whipkey, and Winston Harris.

Grothe will also give a public talk at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU on February 19th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., providing context on the curatorial process and the exhibition.

For alumni artists, the Capital Prize offers visibility, financial awards, and institutional backing at a time when dedicated gallery opportunities are limited. Whether the model expands or remains a one-off collaboration will likely depend on how successfully it balances public access with private development interests.

A public viewing will be held Friday, March 6th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Chasen. More information about the Capital Prize is available through VCUarts.