ARTrageous 2015!

Tickets now on sale! VMFA’s signature biennial party celebrating the cultural vibrancy that the museum brings to the commonwealth Inspired by this year’s special exhibitions devoted to French art — Van Gogh, Manet, and Matisse: The Art of the Flower and Rodin: Evolution of a Genius — ARTrageous 2015 will transport you to the Belle Époque.…

Dig Deeper

with Celeste Fetta, Chief Educator, VMFA and Lulan Yu, Adult Programs Coordinator, VMFA

Tue, Jul 14 or 21, 1 – 2:30 pm (1 session)

Conference Suite & Galleries

Inspired by the introductory course, Dig Deep, this follow-up class focuses on visual and contextual exploration of selected works of art in VMFA’s permanent collection. Through a variety of facilitated, in-gallery activities, as well as group interaction and conversation, participants “dissect” works in VMFA’s collection and learn new ways to connect with art. Each session…

Member Lecture: Van Gogh, Manet, and Matisse: The Art of the Flower

with Dr. Mitchell Merling, exhibition co-curator

Thu, Jun 18, 6 – 7 pm

Leslie Cheek Theater

During the 19th century, French painters reinvented floral still-life painting by taking greater artistic liberties with the traditional imagery of the genre. Join Dr. Mitchell Merling, exhibition co-curator, for a closer look at how French artists — including some of the most well-known practitioners of Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism — transformed the floral still life…

Photo Shoot with Glen McClure

Fri, May 29, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Leslie Cheek Theater Lobby & Conference Suite

Richmond is full of talented tattoo artists and the beautiful and evocative art they create. Photo-artist Glen McClure will spend an afternoon at VMFA shooting portraits of those who proudly wear this art. Select images will be featured on VMFA’s website, accompanied by short stories about the tattoos. Following the photoshoot, artist and exhibition designer,…

Gallery Walk with Kip Fulbeck

Sat, May 30, 2 – 2:45 pm

Evans Court Gallery

Sold Out Join Kip Fulbeck, the artist, designer, and photographer for Japanese Tattoo: Perseverance, Art, and Tradition, for an informal gallery walk through and talk about the special exhibition. Mr. Fulbeck will also be hosting a talk: Perseverance: Creating the First Exhibition Exploring Japanese Tattooing as Fine Art on Fri, May 29.  

3 in 30: Organic: Photographs of the Natural World

with Frank Saunders, Photographer and VMFA Studio School Administrative Assistant

Tue, Jun 2, 11 – 11:30 am & Thu, Jun 4, 6:30 – 7 pm

Meet at Visitor Services Desk

Exploring works on view in the exhibition Organic: Photographs of the Natural World, photo collection educator Frank Saunders examines the diversity of artistic responses to nature and the array of historic photographic processes the artists have used to achieve their vision. Frank Saunders is a photographer, instructor, and VMFA Studio School Administrative Assistant.

Understanding the Art of Tattoo: The Perseverance of Traditions in Contemporary Japanese Art

with Dr. Margaret Richardson, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Fine Art and Art History Christopher Newport University

Thursdays, Jun 4 & 11, 6:30 – 8 pm (2 sessions)

Conference Suite & Galleries

Many modern tattoo artists, like contemporary Japanese painters, sculptors, and performing artists, have drawn on traditional Japanese motifs to inspire their work. For all of these artists, various aspects of tradition have been used to reflect the persistence, relevance, and continuing evolution of their work, while they have turned to outside influences to help them…

Caravaggio and the Realism of Baroque Art

with Dr. Donald Schrader, Adjunct Professor of Art History, University of Mary Washington

Wednesdays, Jun 3 – Jul 8, 2 – 3 pm (6 sessions)

Pauley Center Parlor

Michelangelo da Caravaggio, the wayward artist from Lombardy who came to Rome for the opening of the era we call the “Baroque,” introduced a new awareness of the natural world into the visual arts, influencing nearly every artist who came after him in one way or another. This class investigates the life and career of…

Celebrate African & African American Art: Culture King

Sat, Jun 11, 11 am–3 pm

Join us and celebrate the opening of the special exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic. Through art activities, demonstrations, and participatory performances, discover the global art of Kehinde Wiley and explore African and African American art and cultural identities. Participants will receive complimentary admission to the exhibition thanks to a sponsorship from Richmond (VA) Chapter,…

First Fridays: Secretly Y’all

Fri, Sep 4, 6 – 8 pm

Marble Hall

The First Fridays series features an eclectic mix of multicultural performing arts showcased in different spaces within the museum. Take advantage of our extended hours on Friday evenings (we’re open until 9 pm) to also stroll through the galleries, explore the VMFA Shop, or enjoy dinner and drinks in Amuse Restaurant. Also enjoy discounted beverages in Best…