A blog by staff and others about the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
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…
Inside VMFA: Martin Reamy, Associate
January 29, 2018
Meet Martin Reamy who has put his passion for art to work at VMFA for the past six years. “When I started working here, being in the galleries was like a kid in the candy store,” says Reamy, who was recently promoted to assistant manager of gallery associates.
Building understanding through cultural exchanges
January 13, 2018
By Alex Nyerges, VMFA Director For the past week, I’ve been traveling through China with a group of journalists, spending time in both Xi’an and Beijing—but, more importantly, traveling back in time. This trip builds on our long-term cultural partnerships with agencies in China, and I was delighted to show how VMFA has developed relationships…
Digging into the contemporary Chinese experience
January 12, 2018
By Jan Hatchette, VMFA Deputy Director for Communications The one thing I didn’t have time to do before leaving Richmond was perfect my chopstick skills. After nearly a week in China, I am getting a little better at eating my meals in the truly local fashion. Last night, we went to Made in China, which…
Making connections that define Terracotta Army exhibition
January 10, 2018
By Alex Nyerges, VMFA Director With a packed itinerary ahead of us, we started yesterday at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built during Tang Dynasty in 652, which is an important symbol of modern Xi’an culture—and a perfect place to reflect on today’s step back in time to the Qin nation. Curating a major art…
Uncovering the culture of Qin and the First Emperor
January 9, 2018
By Alex Nyerges, VMFA Director Yesterday, I introduced Richmond journalists to many of the partners who have loaned their work, knowledge, and resources to VMFA to help us best present the Qin story to our visitors. These interactions also underscore how our exhibition and the related Terracotta Army catalogue are generating new scholarship in this…
Journey back in time starts halfway around the globe
January 7, 2018
By Jan Hatchette, VMFA Deputy Director for Communications No one can ever prepare you for the hustle and bustle of China—even when there was a lot of preparation to get us here. We landed today in Beijing, then rushed to make our connection to Xi’an, an exciting city balancing its legacy as one of the…
Follow VMFA on trip of a lifetime for Terracotta Army
January 6, 2018
By Alex Nyerges, VMFA Director If someone gave me a plane ticket today to go anywhere, I’d immediately hop on a plane to China, probably without even pausing to pack a suitcase. Of course, I’d bring along my lovely wife, my son, and my new daughter-in-law to share in this experience halfway around the world.…