Local businesses are going above and beyond to partner with the “Beyond Monet” exhibit that runs now through Sept. 5 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. They’re crafting creative products and specials to help promote the exhibition.
When Gerald Einhorn was asked to participate in the artistic partnership, he already had the perfect French connection to pair with Claude Monet, a French impressionist painter.
Einhorn, owner of Gerald’s Ice Cream in Hilltop, serves fresh baked croissants at his shop. He recently created a new menu item that uses croissant dough to make a waffle cone. The process involves making fresh croissant dough, refrigerating it and then proofing (warming the dough so it rises). Lastly, the dough is placed on the waffle iron and then rolled around a wooden cone to form the shape.
Einhorn named his French-inspired creation the “Croffle” and plans to keep the specialty cone on the menu even after the “Beyond Monet” exhibit is gone.
“It’s an amazing combination. It’s like eating a croissant with ice cream,” Einhorn said. “The cone has a buttery flavor, which is an absolute natural combination with ice cream.”
The “Beyond Monet” exhibit features projection technology to illustrate over 400 Claude Monet artworks. The immersive exhibit encompasses 50,000 square feet and highlights high-resolution images of Monet’s masterpieces. The visual exploration of impressionism is in collaboration with the Virginia Arts Festival and Paquin Entertainment.
“The large scale immersive exhibitions at the Virginia Beach Convention Center are a gift to our arts district community,” said Kate Pittman, executive director of ViBe District. “They’re fun to do and a major draw to the small businesses that benefit from the extra foot traffic.”
The following businesses are partnering with the “Beyond Monet” exhibit. Go to vafest.org for more information.
ViBe Creative District: Social media scavenger hunt July 8-12. One clue per day is posted to Facebook and Instagram. First one to find a clue wins two tickets to the “Monet” exhibition. An August scavenger hunt is planned, too.
Prosperity Kitchen: A blueberry sourdough croissant with Monet inspired glazes.
Mermaid Factory: A Monet themed paint night.
Get Lost VB Shave Ice: Monet-inspired shave ice featuring homemade blueberry lavender syrup.
Stockpot: Signature drinks, menu items and trivia nights.
Lolly’s Creamery and Sundae Scoop: Special ice cream flavor.
Peace, Love and Little Donuts and O’s Donut: A signature donut.
Wasserhund Brewing Company: Signature beer “Painter’s Pint” with a creative label designed by local artist Kendall Snyder.
IKEA: Local artists Abby Pawley and Darcey Whitlow will be painting furniture displayed in IKEA in July and at the exhibit in August.
Hampton Roads Transit: Offering free one-way rides on the VB Wave Trolley to visit the exhibit through July 12. Free rides are available on select routes. Download the Journey mobile app at gohrt.com/mobile and enter the promo code Beyond24. Mobile ticketing is only available for the VB Wave trolley, not other HRT services.
Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net
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If you go
What: “Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience”
When: Through Sept. 5
Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center
Info: MonetVirginiaBeach.com for tickets
