Experience the Japanese tradition of taiko drumming that dates back to the 6th century with the River City Taiko Drummers. The evolution of this percussion can be traced throughout history—from the battlefield to the theater and to religious ceremonies. Come learn how taiko is used today with Alasdair Denvil of the University of Richmond and his community ensemble. After the performance, take advantage of the rare opportunity to play the different drums yourself!

Sat, Jun 20, 11 am – 3 pm | VMFA
Free, no tickets required.

To the Ndebele people of South Africa “good” and “beautiful” mean the same thing. At this celebration of diversity, we will introduce themes of pattern and design in African and African American culture and show how these themes relate to daily rituals, rhythm, folkloric motifs, and mathematical concepts across continents. During your visit, view the mural art of Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu, who spent two months in residence at VMFA. It is very good!

Celebrate African and African American Art: All Good!

Performances (times and locations listed below)
Afrika Arkestra | Marble Hall, Level 2
11:30 am—12:15 pm

Listen to artist and musician Ashby Anderson’s original composition that tells the story of Richmond’s African burial grounds.

Step Afrika! | Leslie Cheek Theater, Level L
12:15—1 pm (doors open at 11:45 am) & 2:15—3 pm (doors open at 1:45 pm)

Step Afrika! is an internationally acclaimed step group that will make you literally feel the patterns in the rhythm. In stepping, the body becomes an instrument, creating intricate rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, claps, and the spoken word. Stepping’s movements draw inspiration from African foot dances such as Gumboot, originally conceived by miners in South Africa as an alternative to drumming. (Seating is limited. First come, first served.)

Exhibitions and Demonstrations

Ongoing

Gallery Hunt | Welcome Table, Atrium, Level 1

Explore the VMFA galleries to see African and African American works of art featuring pattern and design.

Scheduled

Double Dutch | Sculpture Garden, Pauley Center Patio
12:30 pm

Games and sports have been played and shared cross culturally since ancient times. Learn how the sport of jumping rope promotes teamwork and strategy through timing, counting, methodical footwork, and coaching. Watch and then join in.

Activities

Community Ndebele Mural Project | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Art Education Center, Level 1)

The Ndebele home is a symbol of culture, tradition, beauty, family, and community. Join in the rich family tradition of painting symbols, patterns, and designs unique to the Ndebele culture on wooden play houses.

Make Your Own Ndebele Home | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Atrium, Level 1)

Before or after joining in the community fun of painting a larger scale Ndebele-styled house, create your own one-of-a-kind home while being inspired by traditional colors, patterns, and designs.

Geometry in Art and Basketball Game | Pauley Loading Dock Bay

Identify, define, and practice elements of art and geometry through the game of basketball. Visitors that take a shot will be able to put a ticket into one of their favorite local community center’s buckets. The community center with the most tickets gets to take home one of the large basketball hoops!

Mancala in the Garden | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Atrium and Best Café, Level 1)

Join in a traditional counting game played by people across the globe. Play in pairs while resting in the Sculpture Garden, or use your whole body to maneuver playing pieces on our giant scale board. When you’re done playing step on over to the ”make it” station and create your own board.

Create your Own Egungun-Inspired Mask! | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Art Education Center, Level 1)

Create your own Egungun-inspired mask by attaching different strips of fabric, crepe paper, shells, beads, and more to a paper headband strip.

Contemporary Fabric Design | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Conference Room 1, Level L)

Print your own version of contemporary Kanga fabric using radial symmetry and layered stamping techniques. Visitors will be able to take home their original printed pillowcase.

Create your Own Maasai Beadwork – Inspired Bracelet | Art Education Center, Level 1

Examine different depictions and examples of Maasai beadwork, including elements of design and decoration. Then create your own Maasai beadwork using fusion beads.

Generously sponsored in part by

Japanese tattoos traditions inspire Strength. Courage. Perseverance.
Things you see in RVA every day.

With that in mind, we’re giving Richmond its very first Japanese tattoo – one piece at a time.

Every couple of days, we’ll put a new piece of the tattoo around Richmond, in a place that represents that tattoo’s meaning.
And we want you to find them. (And win some very cool prizes in the process.)

With every piece, we’ll post a clue on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter about where you can find that piece.
(With a little break in the contest for Memorial Day weekend.)

Here’s what you need to do.

1. Check the clue.
2. Find the piece.
3. Take a picture of yourself with it.
4. Post it to Instagram with #ttthunt.
5. Once you’ve found (and taken pictures of yourself with) all six pieces, post the last picture with #tttfound.

Once we’ve released all six clues, we’ll put the tattoo on one of RVA’s buildings as a mural—giving it to the city as a lasting gift. And yes, we’ll have a big party at Triple Crossing Brewing on Saturday, May 30 to go with it.

We’ll give each of the first 50 people who complete the scavenger hunt a free ticket to the exhibition. And we’ll put you in the drawing for one of two grand prizes:

1.) A free year-long membership at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, or
2.) Free drinks and a ride home from our Mural Release Party at Triple Crossing Brewing on May 30.

¡Celebre el Arte Latino Americano: México!

Sat, Sept 12, 11 am – 3 pm | VMFA
Free, no tickets required.

Bring the whole family to VMFA’s fiesta patrias (Patriot Festival) to celebrate Mexico’s independence. Enjoy traditional dance, performances by the Latin Ballet, music, artist demonstrations, and crafts, including making a Day of Dead skull maracas, a papel picado paper garland, a Tree of Life candlestick, and more. The ringing of bells, a tradition of Mexico’s Independence Day, will signal the start of our annual parade through the Sculpture Garden. Let’s not forget loteria (Mexican bingo) with prizes!

Event planning consultation, translation services, and volunteer support for the Celebrate Latin American Art: Mexico! Family Event was provided by the City of Richmond Office of Multicultural Affairs and Chesterfield County Multicultural Liaison.

Traiga a toda la familia al Festival Patriótico en VMFA para celebrar la Independencia de México. Disfrute de bailes tradicionales, presentaciones del Ballet Latino, música, demostraciones artísticas y artesanías, incluyendo un cráneo móvil del Día de los Muertos, una guirnalda de papel picado, un candelero del Árbol de la Vida y mucho más. El repique de las campanas, una tradición del Día de Independencia de México, marcará el inicio de nuestro desfile anual a través del Jardín de Esculturas. ¡No podemos olvidar la lotería (el bingo mexicano) lleno de premios!

La consultación de la planeación de los eventos, servicios de traducción y apoyo con voluntarios para ¡Celebre el Arte Latino Americano: México! fueron proporcionados por la Oficina de Asuntos Multiculturales de la Ciudad de Richmond y el Enlace Multicultural del Condado de Chesterfield.

Performances (times and locations listed below)

Latin Ballet of Virginia performs “El Día de los Muertos” | Leslie Cheek Theater, Level L 
11:30 am—12:30 pm

The celebration known as El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican tradition. This Aztec ritual and commemoration started at least 3,000 years ago. It is a traditional festival that embraces the cycle of life. Performance follows a short introductory film.

PRESENTACIONES (Horas y lugares listados abajo)

Ballet Latino de Virginia presenta “El Día de los Muertos” | Teatro Leslie Cheek, Nivel L
11:30 am—12:30 pm

La celebración conocida como El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) es una tradición mexicana. Este ritual y conmemoración Azteca comenzó al menos 3000 años atrás. Es un festival tradicional que resalta el ciclo de la vida. La presentación es seguida de una corta película.

Tlaltlacayolotl performs “Danza Azteca” (Aztec Dance) | Leslie Cheek Theater, Level L
1:30—2:30 pm

Experience the rich traditions and ancient culture surrounding the Aztec community while enjoying performances by the Ricardo Garcia family from Atlanta, Georgia.

Tlaltlacayolotl presenta “Danza Azteca” (Aztec Dance) | Teatro Leslie Cheek, Nivel L
Experimente las riquezas de las tradiciones y la cultura ancestral que rodean la comunidad Azteca mientras disfruta de las actuaciones de la familia de Ricardo García de Atlanta, Georgia.

Sacred Heart Ballet Folklorico Youth Group | Atrium, Level 1
Enjoy traditional Mexican dance representative of regions throughout Mexico.
2:00 pm—2:45 pm

El Grupo Juvenil del Ballet Folclórico del Sagrado Corazón | Atrium, Nivel 1
Disfrute la danza tradicional mexicana representativa de varias regiones a lo largo de México.

Exhibitions and Demonstrations

Popotillo Art by Martin Gonzalez | Lobby of Leslie Cheek Theater , Level L

Popotillo art uses sacaton grass, which grows in many areas of Mexico. The art form has pre-Columbian roots but is still practiced today.

DEMONSTRACIONES Y EXHIBICIONES

Arte Popotillo por Martín González | Lobby del Teatro Leslie Cheek, Nivel L

El Arte Popotillo usa grama (pasto) zacatón, el cual crece en muchas áreas de México. La forma del arte tiene raíces Precolombinas pero todavía es practicado hoy en día.

Visit the VMFA Ancient American Art Galleries | Level 2

The Pre-Columbian collection includes a broad range of Meso and South American ceramic vessels, precious metalwork, and textiles. These works represent the religious customs, political structure, and daily lives of the ancient indigenous peoples there.

Visite las Galerías de Arte Americano Ancestral | Nivel 2
La colección precolombina incluye una gran variedad de vasijas de cerámica, orfebrería y textiles Meso y Sur Americana. Estos trabajos representan las costumbres religiosas, la estructura política y las vidas diarias de la gente indígena ancestral de allá.

Activities

Scheduled

Mexican Loteria (Bingo) | Conference Room 1, Level L
11:15 am, 11:45, 12:15 pm, 12:45, 1:15, 1:45, and 2:15

Mexican loteria is a wonderful card game similar to bingo. Join us for a game of chance and, if you’re lucky, leave with a prize.

ACTIVIDADES

PROGRAMACIÓN

Lotería Mexicana (Bingo) | Salón de Conferencias 1, Nivel L
La lotería mexicana es un maravilloso juego de cartas similar al bingo. Únase a nosotros para un juego y, si es suertudo, salga con un premio.

Pedestrian Parade | Sculpture Garden, outdoors 
(canceled in the event of rain)  2:45pm

Our annual parade through the sculpture garden will commence with the ringing of bells.

Desfile de Peatones | Jardín de la Escultura, al aire libre
(será cancelado en caso de lluvia)
Nuestro desfile anual en el Jardín de Esculturas empezará con el repique de las campanas.

 Ongoing

Papel Picado (Paper Garland) | Atrium, Level 1

Papel picado means “perforated paper.” Mexican festivals and holidays include garlands of elaborately designed papel picado decorations.

Papel Picado (Papel Adornado) | Atrium, Nivel 1
Papel picado significa “papel perforado”. Los festivales y feriados mexicanos incluyen guirnaldas elaboradas con diseños de decoraciones de papel picado.

Mexican Tin Lanterns with 1708 Gallery | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Marble Hall, Level 2)

Make your own tin lantern inspired by Mexican folk art and join 1708 Gallery for the Community Lantern Parade on Nov 13, 2015, here at VMFA.

Linternas Mexicanas de Hojalata con Galería 1708 | Jardín de Esculturas
(si llueve el sitio será: Marble Hall, Nivel 2)

Haga su propia linterna de hojalata inspirada en los artistas mexicanos y únase a la Galería 1708 para el Desfile Comunitario de Linternas el 13 de noviembre, aquí en VMFA.

Tree of Life Candelabra | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Art Education Center)

The Tree of Life is an elaborately decorated clay candleholder with small figurines depicting bible stories. Today they show historical events and Mexican culture. Make your own Tree of Life to illustrate an event or occasion that is important to you.

Candelero del Árbol de la Vida | Jardín de Esculturas
(si llueve el sitio será Centro de Educación de Arte)

El Árbol de la Vida es un candelero de arcilla profusamente elaborado con pequeñas figuras que representan las historias relatadas en la Biblia. Hoy, estos muestran eventos históricos y la cultura mexicana. Haga su propio Árbol de la Vida para ilustrar un evento u ocasión que es importante para usted.

Day of Dead Skull Maracas | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Marble Hall, Level 2)

A maraca is a traditional Mexican instrument made from a hallowed gourd. Contemporary artisans make papier-mâché skull maracas for Day of the Dead festivities. Take your maraca to the pedestrian parade at 2:45 pm and join in the fun!

Maracas de Calavera del Día de los Muertos | Jardín de Esculturas
(si llueve el sitio será: Marble Hall, Nivel 2)

Una maraca es un instrumento tradicional mexicano hecho de calabaza sagrada. Artesanos modernos hacen maracas de calaveras/cráneos de papel maché para las festividades del Día de los Muertos. ¡Lleve su maraca al Desfile de Peatones a las 2:45 p.m. y únase a la diversión!

Aztec Mosaic Mask | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Art Education Center)

Ancient mosaic masks of the Aztec and Maya were made with semi-precious stones. Make your own version out of recycled foam squares and faux rhinestones.

Máscara de Mosaico Azteca | Jardín de Esculturas
(si llueve el sitio será: Centro de educación de Arte)

Máscaras de Mosaicos ancestrales de los aztecas y mayas fueron hechas con piedras semi-preciosas. Haga su propia versión de piezas de espuma sintética y diamantes de imitación.

Build Teotihuacán | Sculpture Garden
(rain location: Reynolds Lecture Hall, Level LL)

Help arrange cardboard box blocks into temporary structures that model Meso-American architecture. Teotihuacán is a city thought to have been established around 100 BC. (That’s 2,100 years ago!) It was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas, with a population estimated at 125,000 or more.

Construya Teotihuacán | Jardín de Esculturas
(si llueve el sitio será: Reynolds Lecture Hall, Nivel LL)

Ayude a organizar los bloques de cajas de cartón en las estructuras temporales que modelan la arquitectura Meso Americana. Teotihuacán es una ciudad que se cree haber sido establecida alrededor del año 10 A.C. (Eso es 2100 años atrás.) Fue la ciudad más grande en la América Precolombina con una población calculada en 125.000 o más.

Generously sponsored in part by

Tickets now on sale!

VMFA’s signature biennial party celebrating the cultural vibrancy that the museum brings to the commonwealth

Inspired by this year’s special exhibitions devoted to French art — Van Gogh, Manet, and Matisse: The Art of the Flower and Rodin: Evolution of a Genius — ARTrageous 2015 will transport you to the Belle Époque. Fête des Artistes evokes  the glittering nightlife of Paris when Toulouse Lautrec’s posters drew revelers to the Moulin Rouge, exhibits of African tribal art inspired a young Pablo Picasso, and the cafes buzzed with discussions of Baudelaire and Zola. Bring your joie de vivre to the beautiful Robins Sculpture Garden on Saturday, September 12 for dancing, creative cocktails, and delectable bites.

Kick off ARTrageous 2015 with an exclusive UGK dinner. For one night only, Amuse’s chef, Greg Haley, and Underground Kitchen will join forces to create a culinary adventure for 50 lucky ARTrageous guests. The details are a secret, of course, but you can be certain the menu and the experience will be memorable. Tickets for this 5:30 pm dinner are sure to go fast so don’t delay if you want to attend.

Proceeds from this event will support ARTshare, a major digital initiative to make VMFA’s collections and educational resources available to audiences throughout Virginia and the world.

$100 of each ticket is tax-deductible

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

FREEMAN’S

Miller Financial Services with Northwestern Mutual

Peachtree House Foundation

The Winebow Group

Silver Sponsors

Gumenick Properties

Release the Hounds

RiverFront Investment Group, LLC

Host Committee

Julee & Drew Spitzer, Co-Chairs              Melissa & Julian Bowen-Rees, Co-Chairs

Inspired by the introductory course, Dig Deep, this follow-up class focuses on visual and contextual exploration of selected works of art in VMFA’s permanent collection. Through a variety of facilitated, in-gallery activities, as well as group interaction and conversation, participants “dissect” works in VMFA’s collection and learn new ways to connect with art. Each session covers different artwork; sign up for one or both sessions.

During the 19th century, French painters reinvented floral still-life painting by taking greater artistic liberties with the traditional imagery of the genre. Join Dr. Mitchell Merling, exhibition co-curator, for a closer look at how French artists — including some of the most well-known practitioners of Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism — transformed the floral still life from a genre that garnered little critical esteem into a popular and prestigious site of dynamic artistic experimentation.

Richmond is full of talented tattoo artists and the beautiful and evocative art they create. Photo-artist Glen McClure will spend an afternoon at VMFA shooting portraits of those who proudly wear this art. Select images will be featured on VMFA’s website, accompanied by short stories about the tattoos.

Following the photoshoot, artist and exhibition designer, Kip Fulbeck, will host Perseverance: Creating the First Exhibition Exploring Japanese Tattooing as Fine Art.

Sold Out

Join Kip Fulbeck, the artist, designer, and photographer for Japanese Tattoo: Perseverance, Art, and Tradition, for an informal gallery walk through and talk about the special exhibition.

Mr. Fulbeck will also be hosting a talk: Perseverance: Creating the First Exhibition Exploring Japanese Tattooing as Fine Art on Fri, May 29.