VISUAL NOISE: What We Carry Beneath the Surface

Five collaborative paintings. Two distinct artists. One unforgettable exhibition exploring identity, mental health, and what we carry beneat Kenneth James × Lee Valentine Present VISUAL NOISEWhat We Carry Beneath the Surface Sunday, November 15, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM THEE STUDIO | Historic Downtown Phoebus 5 N Mallory St, Hampton, VA Hosted by R&B/Soul Recording Artist Dezzae FREE ADMISSION | DONATIONS ENCOURAGED So, What's VISUAL NOISE All About? We all carry things we don't necessarily talk about. Emotions, memories, experiences, and parts of ourselves that aren't always easy to put into words. Sometimes, it's easier to put them on a canvas. VISUAL NOISE: What We Carry Beneath the Surface brings together artists Kenneth James, and Lee Valentine for a different kind of art experience, one that gets into the real, messy, and sometimes uncomfortable parts of being human. At the center of it all are five original collaborative paintings created specifically for VISUAL NOISE. Kenneth and Lee have two completely different artistic styles, and these pieces bring both perspectives together on the same canvas. Kenneth's work draws from shadow work, personal healing, and the exploration of emotions we sometimes bury. Using acrylics, charcoal, and mixed media, he creates raw, heavily layered paintings where faces, words, and symbols seem to emerge from the chaos. Lee, a self taught artist known for his bright fluorescent colors and emotionally driven self-portraiture, approaches painting like a visual journal, using his own experiences to explore everything from love and identity to grief, vulnerability, and survival. One artist digs into the shadows. The other brings his emotions out in fluorescent color. And with five original collaborative paintings created specifically for VISUAL NOISE, you'll get to see what happens when those two perspectives share the same canvas. Having connected with artists and creatives throughout Richmond, the Northern Neck, and Norfolk, we haven't personally come across many exhibitions quite like what we're putting together. And that's what makes this so exciting for us! We wanted to create something different. Something that brings people together, starts conversations, and gives folks a chance to connect through art without feeling like they need an art degree to understand it. A Creative Space Worth Knowing About We're bringing VISUAL NOISE to THEE STUDIO, a cultural hub and creative workspace in historic downtown Phoebus, Hampton. Formerly known as GH Designz Studio, THEE STUDIO was founded by artist and entrepreneur Adrienne Terry-Bey, who has created a space where art, wellness, entrepreneurship, and community come together. It's a place built to give creatives opportunities, bring people together, and support the local arts community. We love what Adrienne is building, and we're excited to introduce more people to this dope space! And we've got a special guest helping us bring the evening together! We're excited to have Dezzae joining us as the host of VISUAL NOISE! An independent R&B/Soul recording artist, singer, and songwriter whose music blends soul, blues, and gospel influences, Dezzae knows a thing or two about turning real life experiences into creative expression.He'll be holding it down as our host, welcoming guests, keeping the evening flowing, and bringing his personality and energy into the mix! Good art, good people, and real conversations. We're putting together something pretty dope, and we're glad to have Dezzae be part of it! What to Expect • Five original collaborative paintings created exclusively for VISUAL NOISE • Individual collections of original artwork by Kenneth James and Lee Valentine • Opportunities to meet both artists and hear about the inspiration behind their work • Art that sparks conversations around identity, mental health, vulnerability, and everyday human experiences • A chance to discover THEE STUDIO and connect with other artists, creatives, and art lovers And yes, ALL artwork on display will be available for purchase! That includes our five collaborative paintings and our individual pieces. Look, whether you're an art collector, considering your first original painting, or just want to experience something different, there's a place for you here. Free Admission & Supporting VISUAL NOISE Admission is completely FREE! We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience this exhibition, whether you're coming to purchase artwork, support local creatives, or simply enjoy the evening. With that said, putting something like this together takes time, resources, and a whole lot of work behind the scenes. If you believe in what we're creating and would like to help make it happen, we'd genuinely appreciate your support! When registering, simply select your FREE General Admission ticket. For anyone wanting to show a little extra love, we're offering optional VISUAL NOISE supporter tiers, complete with a few special thank-yous for helping us bring this experience to life. Choose How You'd Like to Support VISUAL NOISE Supporter | Any Amount (Suggested $20) Every bit helps! Contribute whatever feels comfortable and receive a supporter sticker and digital acknowledgment as our way of saying thank you. Print Supporter | $35+ Receive one exclusive VISUAL NOISE art print from either Kenneth James or Lee Valentine. Dual Artist Supporter | $60+ Why choose one when you can support both? Receive two exclusive art prints, one from Kenneth and one from Lee. Preview Supporter | $85+ Get a little extra time with the artwork before the exhibition officially opens! Includes: • Early exhibition preview from 4 PM to 4:45 PM • Meet-and-greet with Kenneth and Lee • Two art prints, one from each artist • A special VISUAL NOISE supporter keepsake • Early opportunity to inquire about purchasing original artwork Collector Supporter | $125+ For those who want to go all in and take a little more VISUAL NOISE home! Receive everything included in the Preview Supporter tier, plus a small premium art reproduction from each artist and special Collector Supporter recognition. A Quick Note About Supporter Prints We want everyone who supports VISUAL NOISE through a print-inclusive tier to receive the artwork included in their package. All supporter prints will be made to order, with a small selection available for pickup during the exhibition while supplies last. If your prints aren't ready that evening, no worries! We'll coordinate pickup or shipping once they're completed. For supporters who can't attend, we'll reach out to confirm your print selections and delivery arrangements. Additional shipping costs may apply and will be communicated beforehand. This way, everyone gets their promised artwork, and we can focus on producing quality prints without unnecessary waste. Where Does Your Support Go? Your contributions help cover exhibition production, promotional materials, artwork presentation, and other expenses involved in bringing VISUAL NOISE to life. More than anything, your support helps us continue creating opportunities for independent artists and bringing experiences like this into our communities. Can't attend but still want to show love? You can absolutely contribute or choose a supporter package without attending.