A blog by staff and others about the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA Celebrates the Month of Portugal
June 1, 2018
This June, VMFA joins a long list of cultural venues across the United States in celebrating the Month of Portugal with its special exhibition, Contemporary Art from Portugal. Organized in collaboration with the Lisbon-based Fundação Luso-Americana (Luso-American Development Foundation), the exhibition features works by six contemporary Portuguese artists. The exhibition is on display in the…
Beneath the Surface of African Art: The Importance of Wood Identification
May 29, 2018
By Casey Mallinckrodt, Assistant Conservator The conservation initiative in African art funded by the Andrew W. Mellon foundation is allowing the VMFA Conservation Center to deepen capacity by acquiring analytic equipment, engaging specialist consultants, and also by developing specialized expertise within the Conservation staff. This winter Assistant Conservator Casey Mallinckrodt participated in an intensive course…
Beneath the Surface of African Art: On the Historical Context of Ancient Terracottas
April 24, 2018
By Richard B. Woodward, VMFA Curator of African Art While ancient Egypt and Kush are well studied and widely known, far less research has been dedicated to the ancient art and history of the rest of the African continent. Recent discoveries across what today is northern Nigeria have opened new chapters regarding the deep history…
Inside VMFA: Ray Vasquez
April 18, 2018
From behind the scenes, electrician Ray Vasquez shines a light on VMFA’s artwork. “I like my job here because I like to see all the different cultures that come here and all the different exhibits that the museum brings,” he says.
South African Artist Esther Mahlangu Awarded Honorary Doctorate by the University of Johannesburg
April 12, 2018
Esther Mahlangu, whose dazzling, mural-size paintings provide a gateway to the VMFA African art galleries, has just been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg for “her legacy as a cultural entrepreneur and educator, skillfully negotiating local and global worlds.” Dr. Mahlangu, the most renowned artist of South Africa’s Ndebele people, developed the…
Q&A with Dr. Peter Schertz, VMFA Jack and Mary Ann Frable Curator of Ancient Art
April 9, 2018
In the first exhibition of ancient art in nearly 25 years, VMFA presents The Horse in Ancient Greek Art, an exploration of the Greeks’ fascination with an animal that served as a symbol of wealth, power, and status. Dr. Peter Schertz, Jack and Mary Ann Frable Curator of Ancient Art, shares some insights into the…
Beneath the Surface of African Art: Thermoluminescence Sampling of Terracotta Sculptures from Africa
April 3, 2018
To test terracotta using TL dating, conservators take a powdered sample from an unobtrusive area of the object using a high-speed drill. Due to the fragile nature of these objects and the risk of causing damage through improper technique, only an experienced conservator or trained sampling agent should collect the sample. We reached out to…
African American Read-In at VMFA
March 26, 2018
The galleries at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts were full of a different kind of art — literature — at the African American Read-In (AARI). This annual event, which occurs during Black History Month, celebrates African and African American art and literature as community leaders read aloud in front of African and African American…
Inside VMFA: Christina Garduno
March 6, 2018
Each day, Christina Garduno sets her focus on providing a positive experience to guests at VMFA. “When you come into work every day, you’re not just coming to work,” she says. “You’re representing the VMFA and you’re representing the state of Virginia.” Garduno was recently promoted from café supervisor to administrative coordinator for the food…
Edible Art
February 20, 2018
Juana Straus is an artist. But rather than oil or acrylic, her mediums are sugar and flour. And instead of paintbrushes, her creative tools include whisks and spatulas. Straus is the pastry chef at VMFA’s Amuse Restaurant, where she has worked since it opened in 2010. Her artistry was recently recognized with a nomination for…