Featured Events

When VMFA’s doors opened for the first time in 1936, the building’s site and surrounding area already had a fascinating history. Many reminders of earlier eras can be seen in and around the sculpture garden today. This workshop provides opportunities to look back through time at the changes that have taken place on these grounds,…

“The Eight” were a group of 20th-century artists dedicated to creating art that provided an unflinchingly honest, and sometimes ugly, view of urban reality. Also known as members of the Ash Can school, these painters, illustrators, and printmakers turned to the margins of society for their inspiration: immigrants, the working-class, and urban poverty. In this…

This workshop explores the integral role that photography played in affecting change during the Civil Rights Movement in America. Topics of discussion include James Van De Zee’s expressive documentation of African American life in New York City in the 1920s and 30s and the VMFA exhibition Gordon Parks: Back to Fort Scott. Activities include a…

A Pre-Event to the Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival, Nov 17–19, at the Byrd Theater, Carytown Independent Indigenous Cinema 3:00–5:00 pm Dylan McLaughlin’s This is a Stereotype (2014; 40 min) and other selected shorts. This is a Stereotype is an artistic narrative about the possible causes and effects surrounding Indigenous identity with the intention to socially…

With a background in graphic arts and social work, Shelley Jones exhibits her work nationally and has taught at various venues in Virginia for more than 10 years. She works primarily with felt, glass beads, and fine silver, favoring color and playfulness in her creations which include jewelry and decorative objects.. In the past 4…

Lily Snow Boykin’s work reflects the imageries influenced by her Japanese heritage, as well as the environment which surrounds her – extremely visual and tactile; simplistic yet complex. She experiments with a vast range of designs, textures, glaze application, and firings while throwing, carving and incorporating hand-building. Her vessels are created by manipulating contrasting colors,…

VMFA Book Club Using books about artists or works of art currently on view at VMFA to pique curiosity and open discussions, VMFA Book Club explores these specific works of art as well as the setting and period surrounding the art. Reading the book is helpful but not required. The VMFA Shop stocks a limited…

Join VMFA in a Family Day celebration of Native American art and culture inspired by the special exhibition Hear My Voice: Native American Art of the Past and Present. Explore connections with the natural world and indigenous American identities through art activities, such as basket weaving and pottery. View demonstrations by renowned artists Molly Murphy…

The VMFA Council and the Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising of Virginia Commonwealth University present their fifth Flowers in Fashion. A three course luncheon will be followed by a collection of student designed and modeled attire from casual to evening gowns.

Dee Antil uses the finest gemstones and metals to design and create unique, wearable art. As one of the most respected jewelry makers on the east coast, Dee’s work can be found in private collections across the country, including those of ABC news anchor Robin Roberts and Syracuse news anchor Maureen Green. Dee is a…