Explore the museum’s growing collection of African American art, and take part in virtual experiences that celebrate African American artists, the stories they tell, and the depth and breadth of the museum’s collection.
To adapt to ongoing safety concerns related to COVID-19, most of our programs have been reimagined as virtual experiences. Studio classes will be held online, as well as onsite with reduced capacity. Visit our FAQs page for more information about safety protocols.
GALLERY PROGRAM
African American Read-In for Families
Ongoing, Beginning Feb 1
Free, no registration required
Moonlight Marine, 1885, Edward Bannister (American, 1828–1901), oil on canvas. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Fund for American Art
This program celebrates children’s literature and art created by African and African American artists. Experience these works with your children through discussion, music, movement, and enrichment activities. (Intended audience: children ages 2½–8 years; everyone is welcome.)
To adapt to ongoing safety concerns related to COVID-19, VMFA will host this year’s AARI event virtually with prerecorded videos of community readers and educators presenting on our website. The videos will be available February 1-28.
This VMFA program is presented by Chase.
GALLERY PROGRAM
3 in 30: New Installations in the Cochrane Atrium
With Valerie Cassel Oliver, VMFA’s Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
Tue, Feb 2 | 11–11:30 am
Free, registration via Zoom required
Procession, 2020, Odili Donald Odita, (American, born Nigeria 1966), acrylic latex matte/flat wall paint, acrylic soft gel medium, varnish. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
GALLERY PROGRAM
African American Read-In, Day 1
Thu, Feb 4 | 6–6:30 pm
Free, Zoom registration required
Literature and fine arts come together with the 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. In this powerful display of storytelling, experience evocative and poignant pairings of works by African American artists and authors.
To adapt to ongoing safety concerns related to Covid-19, VMFA will host this year’s AARI event online over the span of four weeks. Tune in each week to hear from community leaders and curators about works in the VMFA collection and their connections to literature.
This VMFA program is presented by Chase.
FRIDAYS AFTER 5 PRESENTED BY CHASE
FIRST FRIDAY
Clifton Davis
Fri, Feb 5
Video Premier 7 pm on YouTube
Internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated artist Clifton Davis discusses his career with VMFA’s Performing Arts Coordinator Robert Phanord and performs some of his favorite compositions, including “Never Can Say Goodbye” and “Looking Through the Window”— made famous by the Jackson Five.FAMILY PROGRAM
Open Studio Plus: Celebrating Black History
Sun, Feb 7 | 1–4 pm
Free
Virtual or On-site in the Art Education Center
Enjoy Open Studio at VMFA or at home! For virtual fun, visit VMFA’s YouTube channel for special performances at 1 pm. Onsite, families can visit VMFA’s Art Education Center to receive a FREE children’s book and take-home art activity inspired by African American artists and selections from the Virtual African American Family Read-In.
Visitors can also take part in the third annual RVA Community Makers project by coloring their own piece of art for a mixed-media public art mural that celebrates five Richmond-area musical artists. Local artists will create artworks inspired by the musicians, which will be compiled into a mural by Hamilton Glass. Families are invited to participate by using coloring sheets custom-designed by Glass that are available for pick up in the Art Education Center and through community partners. Completed sheets should be returned to VMFA’s Art Education Center drop-box by February 5. Glass will incorporate them into the mural Sun, Feb 7, 1–4 pm. To accommodate COVID-19 restrictions, viewers can stand outside the studio to briefly watch Glass at work. The mural will be on view Feb 22–Mar 1.
On-site, families can visit VMFA’s Art Education Center to receive a FREE children’s book, courtesy of Chase, and take-home art activity inspired by the musicians.
GALLERY PROGRAM
African American Read-In, Day 2
Thu, Feb 11 | 6–7 pm
Free, Zoom registration required
Untitled (Black Boy Smoking a Cigarette), 1935, James W.O. Thompson (American, active 1905–1930s), oil on board. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, John Barton Payne Fund
This VMFA program is presented by Chase.
DOMINION ENERGY JAZZ CAFE
Virtual Jazz Around the Museum
Thu, Feb 11 | Video Premiere, 7 pm on YouTube
In conjunction with the Richmond Jazz Society, Dominion Energy Jazz Café offers an extra-special night of music and dancing.
GALLERY PROGRAM
African American Read-In Day 3
Thu, Feb 18 | 6–7 pm
Free, Zoom registration required
Blocks and Strips, 2003, Ruth Kennedy (American, born 1926), corduroy. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund and partial gift of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation from the William S. Arnett Collection
This VMFA program is presented by Chase.
FRIDAYS AFTER 5 PRESENTED BY CHASE
Dance After Work: House and Hip Hop
Fri, Feb 19 | Video Premiere, 7 pm on YouTube
Local dancers join VMFA Performing Arts Coordinator Robert Phanord for a discussion about the rise and importance of freestyle dancing. The dancers will perform a freestyle dance battle.
COMMUNITY PROGRAM
RVA Community Makers
Wed, Feb 24 | 6–7 pm Live on Facebook
RVA Community Makers 2020 mural in the Atrium. David Stover 2020
Miss Community Clovia of KISS Richmond and Praise 101 interviews the musical and visual artists participating in Richmond Community Makers. After the program premieres on Radio One’s KISS Richmond, Praise 101, and IPower Facebook pages, the program will be available to view on VMFA’s YouTube channel.
This six-minute film features artist Hamilton Glass creating the public art mural for the inaugural RVA Community Makers event in 2019.
This VMFA program is presented by Chase.
GALLERY PROGRAM
African American Read-In, Day 4
Thu, Feb 25 | 6–7 pm
Free, Zoom registration required
L: Blues Singer, 1938, Louise E. Jefferson (American, 1908–2002), lithograph on cream wove paper, rives paper. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
R: Blues Singer I, ca. 1952, Charles Alston (American, 1907–1977), oil on canvas. Virginia Museum of Fine Art, J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Fund for American Art and Revolving Art Purchase Fund
This VMFA program is presented by Chase.
YOUTH STUDIO PROGRAMS
Art Explorers: [CE5] Art & Narratives
Lindsay Steele
Ages 9–12
Sat, Jan 30 | 1–4 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 1
$30 (VMFA members $25)
Celebrate Black History through art and literature—be moved by visual narratives from African American artists such as Jacob Lawrence and Faith Ringgold, as well as powerful literary readings. Use your own words and vision to tell a story through art.
Foundations in Art: [CF17] Painting & Collage
Ages 9–12
Thu, Feb 4 | 4:30–6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 1
$25 (VMFA members $20) per session
Be inspired by the art and stories captured in the iconic works of Romare Bearden in VMFA’s collection. Recreate a scene from your life or community using paints and papers on canvas.
Foundations in Art: [CF18] Art with Words
Ages 9–12
Thu, Feb 11 | 4:30–6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 1
$25 (VMFA members $20) per session
Discover the power of words—inspired by artist Glenn Ligon. Use hand-drawn graphic design techniques and bold text to develop a meaningful work of art that expresses your ideas about social justice.
Foundations in Art: [CF20] Patterns & Textiles
Ages 9–12
Thu, Feb 25 | 4:30–6 pm
Art Education Center, Studio 1
$25 (VMFA members $20) per session
Discover patchwork masterpieces by the women quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama—a small, remote Black community in the South—and develop your own improvisational patterns and expressive designs.