The Contemporary Arts Network

10/14/2026

‘Artists in Residence: Past and Present’ is on view at Assembly through Spring 2027. For inquiries view the exhibition catalog at the link in our bio and stop by Assembly to check it out.
Featuring works by CAN Foundation current and past artists in residence, Wil Swink, MarieAnn Fluker, and Rain Spann, the exhibition celebrates the creative practices, artistic growth, and ongoing connections fostered through CAN’s artist residency program. Wil Swink MarieAnn Fluker Rain Spann
A special thank you to our Exhibitions Manager, Rain Spann, for his thoughtful curatorial contributions and dedicated work in bringing the exhibition to life through its installation and presentation.

On view through Spring 2027�Assembly | Norfolk, VA
📸 Rain Spann

10/12/2026

We’re excited to welcome Wil Swink as the CAN Foundation’s 2026–2027 First Patron Artist in Residence citycenteratoysterpoint.

Wil’s work is currently on view Assembly as a part of our exhibition, “Artists in Residence: Past and Present’, and he will officially begin working out of the CAN Studios at City Center in Oyster Point in early November.

The First Patron Artist Residency supports emerging and established artists by providing dedicated studio space, mentorship, opportunities for community collaboration and exhibitions. At the end of their time in residency, artists are invited to contribute a work to The CAN Collection, our artist-owned archive. Through the program, CAN continues its commitment to building sustainable careers for the creative class by investing in artists and their creative development.

Please join us in welcoming Wil to the CAN Family! Many thanks to our residency partners citycenteratoysterpoint that make the work we do possible!

Wil Swink
Wil Swink is a Virginia based visual artist whose practice developed from a lifelong relationship with art, first as an admirer and collector and later as a maker. Born in Williamsburg, Virginia, Swink began formally exploring his own artistic ideas in 2011 while living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. What began with the creation of a portrait soon led to his first public exhibition and the beginning of an ongoing studio practice.
Since then, Swink has presented solo and group exhibitions throughout Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Utah, including exhibitions at Westbeth Gallery in New York City, Southampton Arts Center, Artworks Trenton, and Colonial Williamsburg. In 2022, his work received third place in the juried Viewpoints exhibition in Montclair, New Jersey. His practice and story have also been featured in several documentary projects, including Swink (2013), The New Native (2017), and Curate 757 (2025).
Swink approaches art as an exchange between artist and viewer, resisting fixed interpretations in favor of allowing meaning to emerge through observation and experience. In 2026, he joins CAN Foundation as an Artist in Residence in Newport News, Virginia.

10/09/2026

One door closes, another opens! We are moving, but not far. Our main operation will now be out of the former CAN Studios, a few doors down from what has served as the CAN Gallery for the past 3 years. We are so grateful for our time in such a beautiful space and and can’t wait for all that is to come in this next chapter. The CAN Studios at 701 Mariners Row, Suite 112 are getting a revamp to welcome Wil Swink as our next artist in residence. We also look forward to engaging the community for upcoming activations and programming. Stay tuned for announcements in the coming weeks! Special thanks to our residency partners citycenteratoysterpoint that make the work we do possible.

09/28/2026

09/19/2026

Many congratulations!
CAN co-founder, Asa Jackson co-curated “Sown Together” with Dr. Anita Bateman as a collaboration between Charlotte’s McColl Center and the Harvey B. Gantt Center. A work by Nastassja E. Swift made during her 2021 CAN Foundation First Patron Artist Residency is on view in the show, along with the work of former Resident Artist MarieAnn Fluker (now serving as CAN Community Engagement Manager), and Asa Jackson.
The show is on view through January 24th. If you’re in the Charlotte area, be sure to check it out.

08/26/2026

Today we say “Happy Birthday” to CAN Team member Kayda Plus by sharing this masterpiece of the man himself recently painted by Nico Cathcart. An exciting year with Kayda lies ahead! Stay tuned for more soon!
Kayda Plus we thank you for your commitment to documentation & CAN Talk Podcast , your broadcasting with WHRO Public Media CANdo, all that you have always done behind the scenes to move the mission forward, & all that you’re preparing in the coming months ahead! May this be a fruitful and abundant dance around the sun! Happy birthday to you! Support Portsmouth Public Art (SPPA)

08/26/2026

photos by JORDAN | 757 PHOTOGRAPHER 📸⚡️ with Rain Spann & Wil Swink during installation day for ‘Artists in Residence: Past and Present’ Assembly

RSVP to the Opening Reception Assembly at the link in our bio

The CAN Foundation presents ‘Artists in Residence: Past and Present’, a group exhibition featuring Wil Swink, MarieAnn Fluker, and Rain Spann at Assembly NFK. An opening reception will take place September 3, 2026 from 7-9 PM.

‘Artists in Residence: Past and Present’ brings together the work of Wil Swink, MarieAnn Fluker, and Rain Spann. The exhibition reflects on the CAN Foundation’s Artist in Residence program, and the resident artists that help shape its story.

At the heart of CAN Foundation’s work, the Artist Residency provides artists with dedicated space, resources, metorship, and opportunities to develop their practices while engaging with the broader creative community. The residency is designed to support artists not only in the creation of new work, but in building sustainable practices and careers.

The exhibition welcomes Wil Swink as the 2026-2027 CAN Foundation Artist in Residence, while marking the culmination of MarieAnn Fluker and Rain Spann’s residencies with CAN. ‘Artist in Residence: Past and Present’ celebrates this transition while recognizing Fluker and Spann’s continued evolution within the organization. Fluker will step into the role of CAN Community Engagement Manager, and Spann will serve as CAN Exhibitions Manager at Assembly NFK, supporting exhibition operations and assisting with curation.

Together, the exhibition celebrates residency as a continuum, honoring residents past and present and the transitions in between.

08/19/2026

Exhibition Announcement! RSVP to the Opening Reception Assembly at the link in our bio!
The CAN Foundation presents ‘Artists in Residence: Past and Present’, a group exhibition featuring Wil Swink, MarieAnn Fluker, and Rain Spann at Assembly NFK. An opening reception will take place September 3, 2026 from 7-9 PM.
‘Artists in Residence: Past and Present’ brings together the work of Wil Swink, MarieAnn Fluker, and Rain Spann. The exhibition reflects on the CAN Foundation’s Artist in Residence program, and the resident artists that help shape its story.
At the heart of CAN Foundation’s work, the Artist Residency provides artists with dedicated space, resources, metorship, and opportunities to develop their practices while engaging with the broader creative community. The residency is designed to support artists not only in the creation of new work, but in building sustainable practices and careers.
The exhibition welcomes Wil Swink as the 2026/2027 CAN Foundation Artist in Residence, while marking the culmination of MarieAnn Fluker and Rain Spann’s residencies with CAN.
‘Artists in Residence: Past and Present’ celebrates this transition while recognizing Fluker and Spann’s continued evolution within the organization. Fluker will step into the role of CAN Community Engagement Manager, and Spann will serve as CAN Exhibitions Manager at Assembly NFK, supporting exhibition operations and assisting with curation.
Together, the exhibition celebrates residency as a continuum, honoring residents past and present and the transitions in between.

08/14/2026

Our hearts are with all impacted by the loss of Tony C., the creative community of Hampton Roads that knew him well.
To our CAN Family member Jaida Garrison, we are in admiration of the work you two have done with TheDoperShow. Your care for community and for space making for creatives near and far has always been admired and appreciated deeply. We value and know the importance of that work and in it Tony’s memory will continue on.
What has existed within form finds freedom in formlessness and we know well that Tony is familiar with the rest alive in other realms.
Jaida Garrison, we hold you in our hearts along with Tony’s family. You are loved, prayed for, and in our thoughts.

05/19/2026

Former CAN Foundation Artist in Residence is at work on archiving history. We give thanks for this very thoughtful acknowledgment of CAN co-founder & of the essence of the CAN. The work has always come from a place of passion and for those that understand and have understood the intention, we give thanks. An organization built by artists, for artists, intent on building sustained pathways for the creative class.