TCC Talent on Display: Mural by Studio Arts Student Featured in ViBe District
Cameron Clark, a studio arts student at Tidewater Community College, was among 15 artists selected from nearly 100 applicants to participate in the 2nd Annual Virginia Beach Street Art Festival. Over Memorial Day weekend, Cameron brought his first official public mural to life in the heart of the ViBe Creative District, an achievement that marks a major milestone in his artistic career.
Known artistically as Rehdart (pronounced red-art), Cameron grew up in a military family and calls Norfolk home. His passion for art was sparked in high school by an appreciation for graffiti, eventually creating a personal style rooted in detail, color, and personal meaning. After years of working on character designs and selling out at Comic-Con exhibitions, Cameron began to expand his creative range by painting murals inside his home and for local businesses.
This festival marked his first official, public mural commission. For Cameron, it’s more than just a creative milestone, it’s a deeply personal achievement.
Presented by The Runnymede Corporation and the City of Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission, the VB Street Art Festival transformed 18th and 19th Streets in the ViBe Creative District into a 1.5-mile open-air gallery. Over three days, selected artists repainted sculptural neighborhood identifiers live in front of the public.
“I was working on my vision board earlier this year, and I put down that I wanted to do a public mural before graduating. Then the ViBe open call came around, and I applied. Getting picked was surreal,” said Cameron.
Cameron’s mural is in a high-traffic spot in the district, and he’s already seeing increased interest in his work.
“A lot of people are able to see my work, and that’s exactly what I hoped for. It’s helping me connect with a broader audience, as well as get the chance to meet all of the other amazing artists,” said Cameron.
During the rigorous application process, Cameron spent most of his time perfecting his proposed design, and determining how he wanted to represent himself as an artist to the public.
“I wanted my first public piece to have meaning,” said Cameron. “The peony flower design I used has personal roots, it’s my mom’s favorite flower and something that connects my family. I’ve designed flowers for my mom and sister’s tattoos, so including it in my first professional mural just made sense. I wanted that to be my first mark in the professional muraling world: a design with intention behind it.”
Cameron’s detailed design also honors the Rastafarian culture that has influenced his life in recent years. After learning more about his heritage and embracing the Caribbean influences his mother brought into their household, he began incorporating symbolic color palettes and cultural references into his work.
“I chose a Rastafarian color wave for this piece. It’s a nod to what my family has been through and how those experiences helped shape me,” said Cameron.
The mural’s vibrant flower design is not just aesthetically pleasing; it is also a reflection of Cameron’s personal identity and growth. That’s part of why Cameron went all-in on preparing for the event, even practicing on his backyard fence to perfect techniques and timing.
“I normally don’t rehearse. I just jump into projects. But this time I wanted to be intentional,” said Cameron
Cameron credits TCC’s Studio Arts program and the Visual Arts and Design Center for giving him the structure and tools he needed to elevate his skills.
“I’m originally 100% self-taught, so going back to school was about broadening my horizons and getting the chance to properly learn new mediums,” said Cameron. “The updated Visual Arts and Design Center really stood out to me when I first decided I wanted to pursue a studio art degree; everything is new, high-quality, and affordable. TCC has been a game-changer.”
He’s especially grateful for the faculty and mentors he’s connected with, including his work-study supervisor Leslie Mounaime, who supported him throughout the mural application process.
After successfully completing his mural in the ViBe District, Cameron is more energized than ever to continue growing as a public artist. He hopes this project will open the door to more commissions, collaborations, and community-based artwork. He’s also looking forward to connecting with other artists and helping build a stronger, more vibrant local arts scene.
“I’ve been inside doing art privately for years. This was my first time being out in public, sharing my work with the community,” said Cameron. “It’s been confidence-boosting. I’m ready to keep pushing forward and see where this leads.”