A blog by staff and others about the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Command Performance: VMFA Presents Chinese Film at the Byrd
November 19, 2014
It’s difficult to know where to start when delineating the reasons to see Zhang Yimou’s Red Sorghum (1987; 91 min) at the Byrd Theatre on November 23 at 1:30 pm. The film has an almost mythic reputation. But I will try. The Byrd Theatre will be the only venue in the entire US that has…
The Forbidden City Has Come to the River City
November 17, 2014
How do you stop traffic on the four-lane Manchester Bridge in downtown Richmond? Easy. Outfit someone in a historically accurate 18th century, Qing Dynasty soldier’s uniform, with a bow, quiver of arrows, and sword, and have him ride a very large horse across the bridge. If you’ve seen VMFA’s “Warrior” TV spot promoting our newest…
Behind the Scenes at Teen Stylin’
November 14, 2014
New-Fashioned from Briget Ganske on Vimeo. An average day of questions and answers during a Teen Stylin’ workshop: Q: Where are the scissors? A: Look in the blue bins on the table. Q: Is there any more hot glue? A: We have an endless supply. Look in the blue bins on the table. Q: I…
Forbidden City Is a Family-Friendly Adventure
November 7, 2014
Looking for an indoor family adventure? Explore treasures of the Chinese emperors, while discovering stories about the family who lived in the largest palace in the world: The Forbidden City. In the past, ordinary citizens were not allowed into the imperial palace; however, today, you and your family can explore the Forbidden City at VMFA!…
Why Is My Favorite Art Off View?
October 30, 2014
Have you missed the Tiffany lamps, our beautiful Louis Majorelle bedroom suite, or a favorite Matisse or Picasso painting? Maybe you came to the museum to see Degas’s At the Milliners, one of the masterworks acquired by the museum from the Paul Mellon estate this summer, and found it off view. Just like any other…
The VMFA Visual Arts Fellowship Program Helps Virginia’s Artists Realize Their Dreams
October 28, 2014
Applications due November 7 “In a finance-based culture, sometimes it’s difficult to rationalize being an artist at all,” explains Rachel (Rainier) DeFrank, who received a VMFA Arts Fellowship in 2011. “All cultural measurements of achievement—in my case earning a living, having children, so many other things—are ignored in order to pursue something abstract and seemingly…
Collegiate School Students Help to Build the Forbidden City
October 20, 2014
The Chinese language teacher in Collegiate School’s lower school is Xin-yi Fergusson. Her third and fourth grade students were inspired by VMFA’s Crowdfunding project and wanted to help to build the Forbidden City with 3D technology. Together, the children contributed $50 to be recognized in the Archery Pavilions level. “Our trip to VMFA is scheduled…
Jazz Artists Meet Famed Painter and South African Embassy Officials
October 17, 2014
The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Music has been delighted to welcome back students and faculty from the University of KwaZulu-Natal from Durban, South Africa. For the past three years, musicians from VCU and UKZN have participated in the Jazz Bridge exchange program. During this year’s exchange, the South African five students and two faculty…
Helping VMFA Build the Forbidden City: A Crowdfunding Success
October 14, 2014
My husband Frank and I first came to the United States in 1986 and worked hard at building a business that, in less than twenty years, has become a global enterprise with more than 1,600 employees around the world and thousands of uniquely designed products that meet both indoor and outdoor decorative needs of American…
Imperial Ceremonial Halls: Sponsor the Location of Emperors’ Birthdays and Enthronements & Help VMFA Build the Forbidden City
October 13, 2014
If you’ve been to VMFA recently, you’ve probably noticed the 3D printers humming away in the Atrium. They’re printing the hundreds of tiny buildings that make up the Forbidden City in honor of the upcoming special exhibition, which opens Oct 18. This printing project is part of a crowdfunding campaign to support the museum’s exhibition program.…