Most of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures depict the naked human body. Join Dr. Mitchell Merling, Paul Mellon Curator and Head of the Department of European Art for this lecture, which will explore Rodin’s lifelong engagement with the subject. In-depth examination of such works as The Age of Bronze, The Thinker and The Kiss will reveal Rodin as one of art history’s most profound and original artists. This lecture is inspired by Rodin: Evolution of a Genius, on view through March 13.

Maggie Ingram, known as the “Gospel Queen” of Richmond, Virginia, celebrates 65 years of gospel music this year. Enjoy three generations of gospel singers, including Maggie, her daughter Almeta, granddaughter Cheryl, and close family Valerie Stewart, when this renowned group performs at VMFA. Together for 50-plus years, the group has performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center, the National Folk Festival, and the Richmond Folk Festival and has received numerous awards, including the Virginia Heritage Award for a lifetime of excellence in the folk and traditional arts in 2009.

An internationally known mixed-media artist who divides her time between Richmond, VA, and Hong Kong, Frankie Slaughter bridges East and West with her one-of-a-kind textile jackets and jewelry. Approaching each design as a creative journey with no preconceived destination, Slaughter allows her keen eye and artistry to guide her as she combines layers of texture, color, and pattern, as if creating a painting or collage, and weaves ancient traditions with new experiences. Come see how Slaughter affirms the timeless beauty of ancient cultures at a trunk show and sale of her work Nov 3 – 8.

Fri, Oct 23, 6:30–7:15 pm | Leslie Cheek Theater
Book Signing, 7:30–8 pm | Conference Suite

Photographer Sally Mann will read from her recently released memoir, Hold Still. A book signing with the author will be held following the reading from 7:30-8 pm in the Conference Suite.

Sally Mann is a finalist for these two prizes:
—the National Book Award and the Carnegie medal for Excellence

Edgar Degas’s influence upon Mary Cassatt has long been acknowledged, but in this talk, Kimberly Jones examines the American artist’s role in shaping Degas’s artistic production and her actions to pave the way for his warm reception in America. These two major figures of the impressionist movement shared a keen observer’s eye, as well as an openness to experimentation. Despite differences of gender and nationality, they built a deep friendship based on mutual respect and admiration for each other’s talents. 

VMFA programming for the period September 17–27 in support of the UCI Bike Races. Richmond Regional Tourism’s mobile unit will be on location in the Mary Morton Parson’s Plaza both race weekends: Thu–Fri, 10 am–7 pm & Sat, 10 am–5 pm.

Prior to the races RideRichmond & VMFA will present Bike Swap in conjunction with the opening of VMFA Teaching Gallery’s new ArtCycle exhibition on September 6th. Exchange bicycle parts with your community and take a trip through the VMFA on an interactive gallery tour.

Weekend 1: September 17–19

Jazz Café featuring Patrick Lawler/Debra Dean
Thu, Sep 17, 6 pm | Atrium

Happy Hour @ VMFA & Tango
Fri, Sep 18, 5 pm | Atrium

Friday Nights Are Better by Half: Tour de France
Fri, Sep 18, 7 and 7:30 pm | Meet at Visitor Services Desk
30-minute guided tours of the French Art collection
FREE, no registration required

Weekend 2: September 24–27

Jazz Café featuring Rattlemouth
Thu, Sep 24, 6 pm | Atrium

Film: The Triplets of Belleville (2003; 81 min., PG-13: some mature content)
Fri, Sep 25, 7 pm | Leslie Cheek Theater
When her bike racing grandson is kidnapped by gangsters during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters—an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire—to rescue him. This zany, animated feature was nominated for two Oscars.
$5 (VMFA members free)

1708 Gallery Lantern Making Workshop
Fri, Sep 25, 5-8 pm | Atrium
Create a lantern that can be attached to your bike! Look forward to InLight with 1708 Gallery in this creative lantern making activity, inspired by the VMFA collection.

Friday Nights Are Better by Half: Tour de France
Fri, Sep 25, 7 and 7:30 pm | Meet at Visitor Services Desk
30-minute guided tours of the French Art collection
FREE, no registration required

Men’s Elite Road Circuit Peloton
Sun, Sep 27, 9-10 am | Boulevard Entrance
Members are invited to view the peloton of the Men’s Elite Road Circuit race as it passes by VMFA at around 9:10 am. Free coffee will be provided for VMFA members who present their membership card. Pastries will be available for purchase.

School of Rock
Sun, Sep 27 | Pauley Center Terrace
School of Rock will play on the Pauley Center Terrace in the museum’s Sculpture Garden for 3 sets during the day.
Performance Times: 10–11 am, 11:30 am–12:30 pm, and 1–2 pm

Spoke Card Art
Sun, Sep 27, 10 am–12:30 pm | Sculpture Garden
Make your own spoke cards using found materials. Collage cool designs and draw with metallic markers to create original artwork for your bike.

Walk-in Highlights
50-minute guided tours of the permanent collection are offered at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm | Meet at Visitor Services Desk
FREE, no registration required

Join Dr. Nancy Berliner, Wu Tung Curator of Chinese Art, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, for a talk that explores the Forbidden City’s Qianlong Garden. Designed inside and out by the Qianlong Emperor, the garden contains 26 buildings and pavilions, and is a thrilling manifestation of this emperor’s visual imagination. 

One of the world’s greatest art connoisseurs, the 18th century Qianlong Emperor collected a myriad of ancient masterpieces but also relished his privileged opportunity to work with the finest artists and artisans to design and create all manner of inspired objects. With a deep knowledge of Chinese artistic traditions and a hungry interest in European aesthetics and styles, he and his workers produced extraordinary porcelains, trompe-l’oeil murals, and fantastical garden estates, the likes of which had never before been seen in China.

From weaving bicycle wheels to making mosaics, this studio class puts a fun and funky spin on art history while utilizing found objects and leftover supplies!

Set in 19th century China, this novel tells the tale of a girl named Lily, who is paired with a laotong (“old same”) named Snow Flower. A girl’s relationship with her laotong is even more important than her relationship with her husband, and they are expected to be best friends for life. Often forced to communicate in a secret language written on fans, the two girls grow very close, despite their differences and the challenges that face them as they grow up together. When a misunderstanding arises and danger descends upon them, their loyalty to each other is tested. Will their friendship survive?

Join Lulan Yu, Adult Programs Coordinator, and Maggie Allbee, VMFA’s Reference Librarian, for this look at Chinese art and culture.

 

 

During World War I, participating governments often commissioned artists to create pictorial records of the war for propaganda or commemorative purposes. This talk will consider the privileges and challenges of the official War Artist role by exploring three prints on display in the exhibition THE GREAT WAR: Printmakers of World War I that evoke firsthand experiences of the global conflict.