Cost: Free

Rumors of War: One-Year Anniversary Celebration

Dec 10–12 | See individual event details for times

Join VMFA for outdoor and virtual celebrations marking the one-year anniversary of the 2019 unveiling of Kehinde Wiley’s Rumors of War. As we approach the close of 2020, an unprecedented and unpredictable year, let’s pay tribute to the sculpture’s power, beauty, and prophetic relevance, reflecting on all that unfolded in our city and the nation since its unveiling.

“We want more! We demand more! We creative people create more and today we say yes to something that looks like us. We say yes to inclusivity. We say yes to broader notions of what it means to be an American.”
—Kehinde Wiley


Outdoor Event

December 10–12, 2020
Thu–Sat, Dec 10–12 | 6–9 pm
Available Friday on the VMFA YouTube channel
Visual projection by Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui
A five-minute presentation continuously looped
Near VMFA’s Main Entrance*

See and hear a stirring tribute that speaks to the power of art to reimagine. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Rumors of War unveiling, VMFA commissioned Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui, Richmond artists who have garnered national attention for their thought-provoking projections onto the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. Specially created for VMFA by Klein and Criqui, a captivating visual presentation of animation, digital collage, and projection mapping will be projected onto the museum near Rumors of War. Audio recordings of Kehinde Wiley’s 2019 remarks will fill the air, amplifying the unpredictably profound relevance of Rumors of War and the dialogue it continues to inspire. You can also watch from the comfort of home beginning Friday on the VMFA YouTube channel.

*Attendees will be asked to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols, including face coverings and physical distancing. To learn more about VMFA’s safety protocols, including indoor capacity limits, visit the FAQs page.

The museum is open until 5 pm and until 9 pm Wed–Fri. If you wish to see the exhibition Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Sunken Cities, reserve your tickets online. Space is limited. Timed entry and limited capacity ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.


Virtual Events

Thu, Dec 10 | 7–8 pm
Dominion Energy Jazz Café

Dominion Energy Jazz Café joins the Rumors of War celebration with The Barbara Martin Trio featuring guests Michael Hawkins and Lucy Kilpatrick, who also played at the Rumors of War sculpture’s unveiling celebration in 2019. Julie McKnight’s participation has been rescheduled.

Fri, Dec 11 | 5:30–6:30 pm
Fridays After 5 Presented by Chase
Taste of Art: Sparkling Wine Cocktails
Raise your glass to a virtual toast in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Rumors of War unveiling. Registration is required for this free Taste of Art event. Join Robert Pence of The Robins Cellars and VMFA’s Molly McCurnin, Lead Mixologist of Amuse, and Celeste Fetta, Director of Education, for a tasting of sparkling wine to ring in the holiday season. Pair these selections with works of art that depict or were made for celebrations. To taste along, visit VMFA 2GO to purchase the wine selection in advance.