VIRGINIA BEACH, VA—In celebration of the 1607 First Landing in Virginia Beach, the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia (CAC) presents “Magna Carta and Four Foundations of Freedom,” a multi-faceted exhibition including the Lincoln Cathedral Magna Carta, an early broadside of the Declaration of Independence, James Wilson’s notes from the first drafting of the U.S. Constitution, a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Virginia Declaration of Rights. “Magna Carta and Four Foundations of Freedom” explores the relevance of these five historical documents to contemporary civil liberties.

The Lincoln Cathedral Magna Carta is one of only four existing original copies, or “exemplars” of Magna Carta. Originally composed in Latin, the document dates back to 1215, during the English reign of King John. Drafted by British nobles, Magna Carta established a separation of church and state, and set forth restrictions on the power of the monarchy.

CAC’s exhibition will trace the effects of these five documents throughout history, from the landing of the first settlers at Cape Henry to women’s suffrage and the Civil Rights Movement. Recent additions to the exhibition include artifacts from women’s suffrage, including photographs of Suffrage rallies, "Votes for Women" buttons and ribbons and a Norfolk Police “permissions for speech” voucher to illustrate the activism of Virginians during the Women's Suffrage movement in the early 20th Century. Elements of the Civil Rights Movement will also be featured in the exhibition. The Valentine Richmond History Center (VRHC) of Richmond, Virginia has loaned an original Woolworth's countertop with three stools for the exhibition. These artifacts, once located in a Woolworth’s Department store in Richmond, are symbolic of the sit-ins that took place during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.

Special Standards of Learning (SOL)-related educational programming and family activities will accompany “Magna Carta and Four Foundations of Freedom.” An ancillary exhibition titled “By Our Heirs Forever” will feature contemporary artists’ responses to the ideas of individual freedom set forth by the documents. The opening reception for “By Our Heirs Forever” is Saturday, March 31 from 5-7pm. This reception is free and open to the public.

In celebration of the exhibition, CAC is planning four days of festivities:

March 29 – An Evening with King John
Preview Dinner, 7-10:30pm
Enjoy an evening of fine dining and enlightened discussion. Travel back in time to mingle with King John courtesy of Living History Associates. Hors d’oeuvres, music and a three-course dinner will accompany an exclusive preview of the exhibition. Tickets are $150/person; sponsorships available.

March 30 – Public Opening, 10am
Members of the media are invited to enjoy refreshments and view the exhibition as it opens to the public. A presentation by CAC executive director Cameron Kitchin is followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an 11am media Q & A. Historical figures will mingle with guests, inviting lively conversation and discourse.

March 31– “By Our Heirs Forever: New Waves 2007” Artist Reception and Awards Ceremony
Museum Hours: 9am-5pm. Artist Reception and Awards Ceremony: 5-7pm.
“By Our Heirs Forever” artist reception and awards ceremony, 5-7pm, features music and refreshments. The reception/awards ceremony is free and open to the public.

April 1 – Historical Characters at CAC
Museum Hours: 9am-5pm
This day is an opportunity to see Magna Carta and Four Foundations of Freedom with figures from American history mingling in CAC’s galleries.

“Magna Carta and Four Foundations of Freedom” is presented by SunTrust and The Virginian-Pilot. Key Partners include the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach 2007, Lincoln Cathedral and Riggs Ward. Sponsored by: National Education Association, Steve Keller & Associates, Williams Mullen, Pender & Coward and Runnymede Corporation. Lending Institutions include: Corporate Body of Lincoln Cathedral, Grimston Parish, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Library of Virginia, Valentine Richmond History Center, Virginia Beach Department of Museums, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, The Virginian-Pilot and University of Virginia Library.

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. CAC is supported by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Business Consortium for Arts Support, The Norfolk Foundation and the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission.

CAC is located at 2200 Parks Avenue at the entrance of Interstate-264 in Virginia Beach. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm; Monday 9am-9pm. Gallery admission is $8 adults, $6 students, seniors and military. CAC members and children under 4 admitted free. For information call 757.425.0000 or visit CAC=s Web site at www.cacv.org.

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