Exhibitions and Visiting Artists are integral parts of the Art Department's mission to its students, the University community, and the public as a whole. Through exhibitions at the Baron and Ellin Gordon Galleries, students are exposed to work in all media by local, national and international artists in solo and themed group shows. These exhibits curated both in-house and travel from other venues. In any given semester, there are also numerous workshops, exhibitions and lectures conducted by visiting artists and scholars. Art Department faculty play a leadership role in selecting University Gallery exhibitions and identifying visiting artists.

Through the Visiting Artist program, students have the opportunity to meet and speak formally and informally about their own work with local, national, internationally-recognized figures in contemporary art and design. Recent visitors have included Alexander Anufriev, Marian Bantjes, Roberley Bell, Brian Bishop, Nikki Blair, K. Johnson Bowles, Sally Brogden, Chris Dacre, Saverio Simi de Burgis, Andy Deck, The Drama, Elliott Earls, Jon Eicher, Jason Englehardt, Adrian Gollner, Dave Hickey, Priscilla Hollingsworth, Terri Jones, Thomas Koole, Barbara MacCallum, Debbie Millman, Lori Nix, Rick Poynor, Thomas Rankin, Josef Schützenhöfer, Brad Schweiger, Amos Scully, Matt Sesow, Jim Sherraden (Hatch Show Print), Marcella Stasa, Cliff Tresner, Rick Valicenti, Rudy VanderLans, Martin Venezky, Herb Weaver, Donald Roller Wilson, Andrew Wodzianski, and Boris Zakic. 

In addition to the spaces described below, other informal spaces within the Art Department facilities are utilized to feature work by students and faculty. All shows are free and open to the public.

The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries
These galleries, located at 4509 Monarch Way on the University campus, opened in fall 2007. The new facility is comprised of two adjacent 2600 sq. ft. exhibition spaces: the University Gallery, the Baron and Ellin Gordon Self-Taught Art Gallery, and an Atrium space. The University Gallery presents a changing exhibition schedule of contemporary art, selected in collaboration with an ODU Art faculty committee. The Baron and Ellin Gordon Self-Taught Art Gallery exhibits selections from the Baron and Ellin Gordon Self-Taught Art Collection, a significant collection of 20th and 21st century American Folk Art. A study area is included in the galleries for examination of the works. The galleries are managed by a half-time Director and a full-time Curator, who oversees 10-12 exhibitions during the calendar year.

Nearby visual arts facilities include the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Hermitage Foundation Museum in Norfolk, the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News, the Portsmouth Museums, and the Contemporary Arts Center of Virginia.