Monica Serra

Wesselmann model visits VMFA

Monica Serra, Wesselmann’s longtime studio assistant, model and a country music singer traveled from New York to savor VMFA’s Pop Art and Beyond: Tom Wesselmann retrospective. Serra worked for Wesselmann and now the Wesselmann studio for the past 20 years. How did she snag such a fascinating job? A mutual friend invited her to an…

Pair of Girandole Mirrors

More additions to YOUR art collection @VMFA

Through our privately funded aquisition program, VMFA regularly aquires significant pieces to be added to our permanent collection. We welcome you to visit and enjoy recent aquisitions such as these at the museum. This singular pair of girandole mirrors is a spectacular manifestation of decorative arts as sculpture. The unusual inclusion of Native American motifs—arrows,…

Processional Cross

Adding to YOUR art collection @ VMFA

VMFA is fortunate to have endowed private funds which can only be used for art acquisition. Here are some recent acquisitions currently on view in the galleries. The curators have provided insights about the objects. Elaborate processional crosses made for Ethiopian churches are often inscribed with images and lettering that deepen their message. On this…

Antietum

Anniversary of Antietam

One-hundred fifty years ago today, 160 miles north of Richmond, a horrific battle near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek marked the turning point in the Civil War. It was the first major confrontation in the conflict to take place on Union soil and remains the single deadliest day in American history with over 23,000 casualties…