A blog by staff and others about the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Start the New Year with ChinaFest!
December 27, 2014
VMFA is ringing in the New Year with a cross-cultural celebration in honor of the Forbidden City exhibition. The 10th annual ChinaFest! Year of the Wood Sheep Family Event on Saturday, January 3, will feature nine treasure-making art activities as well as multiple performances and demonstrations. Here are some things that we learned while planning…
The Commonwealth’s Governor Calls on Virginia’s Art Museum for Christmas Card Art
December 22, 2014
When First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe decided she wanted a different sort of Christmas card this year—not her usual photo of the kids but a painting of the Governor’s Mansion and the family dogs instead—the obvious resource was VMFA’s Studio School. Mrs. McAuliffe’s executive assistant, Victoria Lewkow, headed to the Studio School to talk to director,…
The Writing on the Wall
December 18, 2014
If you’ve had lunch or attended a VMFA After Hours performance in BEST Café since October, you’ve probably read—and gotten a chuckle out of—the giant fortunes on the walls. “One that would have the fruit must climb the tree.” (Well, maybe not that orange you just picked up from the BEST cooler.) “It is better…
In The Moment: An Interview with Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Jeffrey Allison on Photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue
December 15, 2014
Thank you to David Siegel for the below post. You can follow this link to the original blog.The photo just jumped out at me. It had a joyful, playful performing arts feeling. But it was a photograph from a century ago by an artist I did not know. And I wanted to know more. So with a bit…
Happy Birthday, Edvard Munch!
December 11, 2014
Edvard Munch, who was born 151 years ago today, is best known for The Scream, created in four unique versions (painted and pastel) between 1893 and 1910. But that one agonized figure set against a swirling blue landscape and fiery orange sky hardly begins to represent his body of work—in either its breadth or impact.…
VMFA 365: #GivingTuesday
December 2, 2014
At VMFA, we believe that great art should be shared. From visitors finding moments of inspiration exploring our free permanent collection to others enjoying art at their local libraries, schools, and art centers through our statewide outreach, VMFA fosters art experiences across the commonwealth 365 days a year. Here are just a few ways that…
Winning Designs Recognized at Teen Stylin’
November 25, 2014
Exhibition in MWV Education Center: This exhibition features the 2014 Teen Stylin’ designer renderings and garments awarded Best Overall, Best in Show, Best Use of Alternative Materials and Creative Construction, and Best Interpretation of a Work of Art. Teen Stylin’ is VMFA’s eight-week program for Virginia students, grades 6–12, with a passion for clothing design,…
Command Performance: VMFA Presents Chinese Film at the Byrd
November 19, 2014
It’s difficult to know where to start when delineating the reasons to see Zhang Yimou’s Red Sorghum (1987; 91 min) at the Byrd Theatre on November 23 at 1:30 pm. The film has an almost mythic reputation. But I will try. The Byrd Theatre will be the only venue in the entire US that has…
The Forbidden City Has Come to the River City
November 17, 2014
How do you stop traffic on the four-lane Manchester Bridge in downtown Richmond? Easy. Outfit someone in a historically accurate 18th century, Qing Dynasty soldier’s uniform, with a bow, quiver of arrows, and sword, and have him ride a very large horse across the bridge. If you’ve seen VMFA’s “Warrior” TV spot promoting our newest…
Behind the Scenes at Teen Stylin’
November 14, 2014
New-Fashioned from Briget Ganske on Vimeo. An average day of questions and answers during a Teen Stylin’ workshop: Q: Where are the scissors? A: Look in the blue bins on the table. Q: Is there any more hot glue? A: We have an endless supply. Look in the blue bins on the table. Q: I…