Through three works in the special exhibition Artists as Art: Photographic Portraits, Frank Saunders, Photographer and VMFA Studio School Administrative Assistant, explores how photographic technology and changing aesthetics influenced the evolution of photographic portraiture in the 20th century. The talk moves from the formal studio portrait, to on-location, and finally to the more casual snapshot.
Image: James Joyce, 1928, Berenice Abbott (American), Gelatin silver print. Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
Led by a certified botanical artist, discover how the masters used botanicals in their own work. Learn fundamental techniques for this formal style of art to illustrate plants and flowers of your own.
How did impressionist and post-impressionist painters radically transform the traditional French still life genre? How were their experimentations with paint application, composition, and color combinations connected with changes in science, commerce, and technology? Discover how their reinvention of artistic representation can inspire and challenge your students’ understanding of art-making in this workshop that combines gallery exploration with hands-on elements.
Designing jewelry for 40 years, this graduate of the University of Virginia and resident of Charlottesville uses 18k gold, sterling silver, and precious and semi-precious stones in nontraditional ways, resulting in very intriguing contemporary designs and a national following. In addition to his signature “orbit” and “square” rings, Gabriel Ofiesh’s collection includes necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, all featuring his sophisticated and modern design. Gabriel’s trunk show will make your holiday gift selections easy and fun!
Beginning with a discussion of the impact of European culture on indigenous art forms—and how museums, critics, and art historians respond to this “non-Western” tradition, this course goes on to examine some of the major Native North American artists — Norval Morrisseau, Maria Martinez, Bill Reid, Preston Singletary — and movements in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. As students explore objects in VMFA’s permanent collection, they discover how these artists both carry on traditions and move in new directions.
Image: Platter, ca. 1925, Maria Montoya Martinez (American , 1887 – 1980), Julian Martinez (American , 1885 – 1943), New Mexico clay, volcanic ash, red slip; burnished, painted and fired, 14.375 in. Floyd D. and Anne C. Gottwald Fund
Described in a two thousand-year-old source as the “fairest of stones,” jade has long been treasured in China. Join Lulan Yu, Adult Programs Coordinator, for a gallery talk that will explore Chinese jade objects and beautifully crafted bronze ritual vessels produced by the technologically advanced Chinese Bronze age cultures.
In upcoming months, we will offer a series of permanent collection gallery talks inspired by the special exhibition, Forbidden City: Imperial Treasures from the Palace Museum, Beijing, that look at global connections with Chinese art and culture. Visit Talks for more details.
Image: Wine Vessel (Fang Yi),13th – 11th century BC, Chinese, Shang dynasty (ca 1600 – 1050 BC), bronze 9⅜ x 6 x 5 in, 23.81 x 15.24 x 12.70 cm. Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
A crash course in observation-based landscape painting in oil, this class shows students how to “see” the world through a painter’s eyes. Technical demonstrations stress line, shape, value, and color. Students learn to simplify the landscape by identifying color masses from which to develop impressionist oil paintings. A materials fee of $30, payable to the instructor, will be collected at the beginning of the class and will cover all materials. Students may also supply their own materials.
Prerequisites: basic drawing skills
See demonstrations of watercolor technique and learn about composition and color in capturing the unique beauty of flowers. For inspiration, students visit VMFA’s special exhibition Van Gogh, Manet, and Matisse: The Art of the Flower to view beautiful French floral paintings and then return to the studio to paint their own floral still lifes. Students should provide their own watercolors, paper, and brushes.
Prerequisite: basic drawing skills
Click here for materials list.
This workshop introduces oil pastels for painterly approaches to drawing flowers from life. Students explore colored grounds, glazes, and various methods of layering color as well as color mixing and interaction.
Prerequisites: basic drawing skills
Click here for materials list.
How did impressionist and post-impressionist painters radically transform the traditional French still life genre? How were their experimentations with paint application, composition, and color combinations connected with changes in science, commerce, and technology? Discover how their reinvention of artistic representation can inspire and challenge your students’ understanding of art-making in this workshop that combines gallery exploration with hands-on elements.