Featured Events

A former model, cultured entrepreneur, and trendsetting designer from the start of her 20-year career, Cynthia Gale has combined her fast-paced, eclectic New York City lifestyle with her enduring love of the serene and tranquil beauty of the Far East to create exquisite sterling silver jewelry. For Cynthia, each piece reflects a personal expression of…

This two-part class will provide insight into the special exhibition Terracotta Army: Legend of the First Emperor of China. One of the greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th century, the famed Terracotta Army was excavated in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China. Buried in three separate pits, an army of thousands safeguarded the nearby mausoleum of the…

In this lecture, the speakers and also exhibition curators, will review one of the most significant archaeological achievements of the 20th century – discovery of the terracotta warriors and horses in China. The lecture will introduce exhibition themes and highlights, providing a glimpse into the historical and cultural contributions of Qin people and the first…

From thunderstorms on raging seas to sunny skies above pastures, artists have used weather phenomena to create mood, movement, and contrast in works of art. Designed especially for elementary art, science, and English teachers, this workshop includes art projects, children’s literature, and creative writing assignments that relate to the weather-related components of the Earth Patterns,…

Come learn about applying the A(rts) in STEAM education with fidelity. Hands-on activities using Makey Makeys and other open-ended STEAM lessons will be featured. Don’t miss this chance to interact with Mike Gettings (Instructional Specialist, Visual Arts, Chesterfield County Public Schools) and his alter-ego—Lightman, whom you may have seen during InLight Richmond, an annual public…

Drawing is not just for artists. How many times have you jotted down a quick sketch as an explanation? Explore the importance of observational drawing by slowing down and really seeing. Discuss works of art in the VMFA collection and use a variety of drawing materials and scientific tools to discover not only what things…

How do you decide who your heroes are? Why are there so many portraits of heroes from past eras? What do clothing, setting, and props tell us about a hero portrayed in a portrait? Do these portraits always look like the subject? What is a memory portrait? Participate in discussions about how to analyze portraits,…

Discover equestrian life from the time of Homer to Alexander the Great! Explore the integral function the horse played in ancient Greek culture, from myth and legend, to warfare and transportation, to leisure, sports and Olympic competition. Participate in a variety of activities and delve into horse culture as represented on vases, coins, and sculpture.…

Investigate the central role that photography played in effecting change during the Civil Rights Movement in America. Topics of discussion include W.E.B. Du Bois’s Exhibit of the American Negro at the Paris World’s Fair of 1900; James VanDerZee’s expressive documentation of African American life in New York City in the 1920s and 30s; Louis Draper,…

As the United States entered the 20th Century, its changing population experienced the era through many lenses. Industrialization, immigration, and migration gave rise to a diversity of perspectives on American life that was captured in the art of the Progressive Era. Examine perspectives from the past, unpack narrative devices and contextual cues, and discover how…