August 30, 2012
As a veteran docent of twelve years, I thought no experience at VMFA could rival time spent in the galleries. One of my greatest joys is researching and learning about the art and conversing about it with visitors. This July I was pleasantly surprised to find just how enjoyable volunteering in the sculpture garden could…
November 29, 2011
When Dr. Peter Schertz, VMFA Jack and Mary Ann Frable Curator of Ancient Art, arrived at the museum in 2006, he recognized the statue of Caligula as one of the highlights of VMFA’s antiquities collection.Formally known as Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Caligula was born in AD 12 and became emperor of Rome at age…
July 21, 2011
We’ve all seen a mummy before, whether it was Tjeby at VMFA, or on a late-night horror flick when we were kids. I have always been fascinated by the mummies I’ve seen on display at countless museums across the country and also the mysterious stories in books and films. I never once believed that I…
May 26, 2011
Practically from the moment I arrived in Richmond, people asked me “Whatever happened to the mummy?” They didn’t remember his name – Tjeby – or when he was from (First Intermediate Period) but they all vividly remembered how he was displayed: you walked up a long ramp lined with Egyptian art, turned 90 degrees and…
April 28, 2011
The art handlers and exhibit designer were slightly disturbed by my seemingly morbid interest as I pestered them week after week asking: “So, when’s the mummy going to be installed?!” I can’t help it… my interest in mummies stretches as far back as I can remember. Children seem to be so fascinated by mummies, but…
February 11, 2011
This is the third in a series of blog posts discussing highlights of the exhibition A Celebration of Print: 500 Years of Graphic Art from the Frank Raysor Collection currently on display in VMFA’s Mellon Focus Galleries. Admission to this exhibition is free. One of the pleasures of A Celebration of Print is the wide…
January 28, 2011
As an intern in the ancient art department in 2008, I grew attached to a few artifacts in the Greek collection that have enchanted me with their beauty. Now that I’ve returned to volunteer in the department and the ancient art galleries are open, I have an opportunity to once again work closely with the…
June 25, 2010
I’ve only been working at VMFA for two months now, yet in such short time an intimate relationship has developed. A casual appreciation for “beauty” has begun to blossom into a deeper understanding of history, art, and even people. See, while many flow through the museum each day, I have one job: Watch. I watch…
May 1, 2010
Over the past fifteen years, I’ve had the wonderful experience of getting to know the museum’s collections. Each time I visit the galleries or storage looking for the next product idea, I’m always amazed by the wonderful works of art that Virginians have available to them. For some time, I’ve been in search of a…
