Featured Events

As the United States entered the 20th Century, its changing population experienced the era through many lenses. Industrialization, immigration, and migration gave rise to a diversity of perspectives on American life that was captured in the art of the Progressive Era. Examine perspectives from the past, unpack narrative devices and contextual cues, and discover how…

Don’t miss this workshop led by Lori Coffey, VMFA’s Early Childhood Education Coordinator! She has developed classes for children from three months of age through the kindergarten level. Learn first-hand how these programs and in-classroom art centered activities enrich the lives of children and families. Discover how explorations of paintings and sculptures can be connected…

When you think about African art, are you thinking of hundreds of separate traditions, belief systems, and social structures? Take a step towards understanding how diverse this vast continent is by exploring various works in VMFA’s collection. Ranging from traditional to contemporary, and spanning centuries, African art provides rich narratives that illustrate the complex histories…

Join this conversation about the diverse art created by artists from 35 Native American cultures. Discover how Native American artists relate to the natural world, their community, and the outside world—and how these relationships affect their identity and work. Explore fascinating examples of contemporary works of art, as well as related images from movies and…

Jan Dobrowolski says she finds “inspiration in the rich textures of elements encountered on a simple walk through an open field or even a city street…the patterns revealed in the inner profile of a rock, the textures of lichen-covered bark, the repeating curves of a wave, pebbles in a shallow stream….and the bubbles in champagne!”…

The VMFA Shop is proud to announce its second partnership with Cynthia Gale New York! Featuring a graceful new jewelry collection inspired by the elegant world of Art Nouveau within the VMFA Decorative Arts Collection, honoring the facets of the style through the modern interpretation of exquisite artisan-crafted sterling silver and bronze jewelry. The collection…

In early 2008, Todd Parsons of Richmond, VA had a vision to expand artistic boundaries by creating laser engraved artwork in the form of jewelry. His fanciful earring designs include animal prints, abstract art, nature, ear candy, couture. just to name a few of his collections. Join us in the Shop during Family Day at…

Taylor Dean will give a gallery talk about the exhibition Steinlen: Cats. Dr. Mitchell Merling, Paul Mellon Curator and Head of the Department of European Art will introduce the program. Related program offsite: Sofia Nicolet (University of Richmond, BA, 2018) will give a gallery talk on the Steinlen: Humanity exhibition at the Joel and Lila…

Using perplexing juxtapositions and distortions of commonplace objects, the Belgian Surrealist artist René Magritte set out to disturb existing assumptions about rationality and the perception of reality. This lecture will focus on The Seducer, a mysterious and provocative painting in VMFA’s Mellon collection. Completed in 1950, this work highlights Magritte’s efforts to use his paintings…

VMFA’s statue of Senkamenisken is a masterpiece of ancient Nubian sculpture. This lecture will explore the meaning of the statue and its tumultuous history, including its exciting discovery and relocation to Virginia. This program is presented in partnership with VCUarts through the generous support of Maha and Bryan Whitfield.