Literature and fine arts come together with African American Read-In at VMFA. See and hear notable figures from the greater Richmond community as they lend their voices in prose and poetry readings throughout the galleries. In this powerful display of storytelling, experience evocative and poignant pairings of works by African American artists and authors.
The following works will be highlighted at this year’s program
The Banjo Player, 1929, Hale Woodruff (American 1900–1980), Oil on canvas, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Fund for American Art The Banjo Player, 1929, Hale Woodruff (American 1900–1980), Oil on canvas, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Fund for American Art
Tightrope: Continuous Rotation Servos, 2017, Elias Sime (Ethiopian, born 1968), Reclaimed electronic components and wire on panel, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment. Tightrope: Continuous Rotation Servos, 2017, Elias Sime (Ethiopian, born 1968), Reclaimed electronic components and wire on panel, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment.
Untitled (#6) from the Mémoire Series, 2006, printed 2017, Sammy Baloji (Congolese, born 1978), Archival digital photograph on satin matte paper, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment. Untitled (#6) from the Mémoire Series, 2006, printed 2017, Sammy Baloji (Congolese, born 1978), Archival digital photograph on satin matte paper, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment.
Frontispiece and Title Page, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Engraving attributed to Scipio Moorhead, 1773. Lent by the Library of Congress, Rare Book & Special Collections Division Frontispiece and Title Page, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Engraving attributed to Scipio Moorhead, 1773. Lent by the Library of Congress, Rare Book & Special Collections Division
Boy and H, Harlem, 1961, Louis Draper (American, 1935–2002), gelatin silver print, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment. Courtesy of the Louis H. Draper Preservation Trust, Nell D. Winston, trustee. Boy and H, Harlem, 1961, Louis Draper (American, 1935–2002), gelatin silver print, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment. Courtesy of the Louis H. Draper Preservation Trust, Nell D. Winston, trustee.
The following community readers will join us for this year’s program*:
- Amber Esseiva, Assistant Curator at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU
- Tobias Wofford, Assistant Professor of Art History, VCUarts
- Ross S. Browne, Professional Studio Artist & Instructor of Therapeutic Art
- Todd Waldo, Engineer, Artist and Community Advocate
- Adrienne Cole Johnson, Director of Family and Community Engagement for Henrico County Public schools
- Cheryl Miller, Anchor, CBS6 News WTVR
- Dr. Corey D. B. Walker, Visiting Professor, The Jepson School of Leadership Studies and the School of Arts and Sciences, University of Richmond
- The Honorable Mayor Levar Stoney, City of Richmond
- Nell Draper-Winston
- Dr. Lance Watson, Reverend, St. Paul’s Baptist Church
Prior to the Read-in, attend the unveiling of the RVA Community Makers Art Activity!
Please join us for the African American Read-In for Families which will be featured during the Community Event | Celebrate Wiley!
*speakers subject to change