Fifty-one years ago, the citizens of Virginia Beach gathered to host the first Neptune Festival at the Oceanfront. It was formed as a way to celebrate our city’s heritage and inspire a sense of unity. Now, hundreds of thousands of people participate in the festival, many of whom are Salem students. This year, the festival was hosted from September 26th to the 28th.
“The Neptune Festival is an outlet for students to express how different schools learn and express themselves,” said senior Gracie Fries. “You can see how art students are taught differently depending on the school. Each piece is very personal and creative.”
Every year, the festival transforms the oceanfront into a celebration of creativity, culture, and community. For students, it’s more than a chance to showcase art; it is a moment to shine on a public stage to show how much they value their work.
“I think [the Neptune Festival] is pretty cool. It’s a place where all artists can connect and enjoy each other and attract tourism,” said senior Fatima Huezo-Menendez.
With dozens of schools participating, the festival becomes a melting pot of styles and visions. From vibrant paintings to intricate sculptures, each student’s work contributes to a larger story about youth expression and diversity.
“I wanted to express myself and get recognition for my hard work,” said Huezo-Menendez.
Many students feel a strong sense of accomplishment when their work is accepted into the festival. For some, it’s their first time having their work displayed in a professional setting.
“Overall, I think it’s a great opportunity and I think it’s fun,” said senior Cyprus Leuhrs. “Our teachers are a great help in prepping us, as students, for the show, we get the possibility to be awarded for our work, and we get to show it off to those at the festival. It’s an amazing ‘in’ into the art world.”
For other students, the festival isn’t just an opportunity to be seen, it’s a meaningful first step into the larger art community. Many walk away feeling more confident in their abilities and inspired by the recognition they receive. The experience helps young artists understand the value of putting their work out into the world.
“I believe it’s a very cute and fun way to get your art out into the world,” said junior Violet Warren. “The Neptune Festival is very prominent in the Virginia Beach Area. Your first time may be nerve-racking, seeing all the other art. But once the colored ribbon has entered your hand, you feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s rewarding and exciting and really gets your art into the real world.”
Beyond personal satisfaction, participating in the Neptune Festival can also help students build a foundation for their artistic careers. It’s a chance for students to gain exposure to a real-world setting.
“It’s a super simple process, and not only do you have the opportunity to win an award,” said Leuhrs, “but you automatically get to put that your work was showcased in an art show on your resume.”
Still, the experience isn’t without obstacles. The oceanfront venue, though scenic and iconic, comes with its own headaches. From setup issues to unclear layouts, some participants find that displaying their work can be more stressful than expected.
“There could be a better location than the oceanfront; it’s hard to get into and set up, and hard for people to know where you’re located,” said senior Keeley Bolling. “Your art is also shown in the bike lane, so sometimes people just drive past.”
Despite the challenges of setup and location, these inconveniences are just a small part of the experience. Once the art is displayed and the crowds begin to gather, the excitement of being a part of something so big takes over. The energy of the festival helps make the effort feel worthwhile.
“When you get there, [the setup] is a whole other thing because they have us set our art up on chickenwire, which sucks,” said Warren. “Not to mention the people give us clothes and binder clips [which also sucks]. But once everything is actually hung up, walking around is the best part.”
Not only does the festival share our culture, it is our culture. Growing from 50,000 visitors in the first year to over 400,000 in 2024, it is a tradition that is expanding every year.
Best In Show: Vincent Glasgow – The Pink Stripes
11-12th Grade Awards
1st: Sienna Vera Cruz – Playing in the Past
2nd: Lolo Elmquist – Opportunity Cycle
3rd: Amy Liao – Overgrown
Honorable Mention: Fatima HM – Weeds of Addiction
Honorable Mention: Maegan Quiazan – Yummm
Honorable Mention: Violet Warren – A good Rest
9-10th Grade Awards
1st: Ella Berdoulay – I will grow wings
3rd: Piper McSpadden – Bur first they must catch you
Honorable Mention: Bell Bryant – A Verb in Perfect View
Honorable Mention: Emily Heijermans – Early Memories at Cape…
Honorable Mention: Alexx Price – Dinner
