Jazz, Latin, funk, and Afro-pop come together in the Inner Rhythm Band. Groove out with drummer Robert Jospé and Afro-Pop vocalist, percussionist, and dancer Heather Maxwell, Jeff Decker on sax and percussion, Bob Hallahan on keyboards, Randall Pharr on bass, and percussionist Kevin Davis.
Request ProgramGuidelines and Booking Info: Visual Arts Workshops and Performances
The VMFA Statewide’s Visual Arts Workshops and Performances are designed to stimulate greater community involvement in art and to provide opportunities for individuals to work closely with noted professional artists of exceptional talent. These artists have been selected for the merits of their work, their serious commitment to professional excellence, their teaching experience, and their communication skills. The many types of workshop and performance options allow the sponsor the flexibility to schedule programs that meet specific audience needs, and to satisfy different levels of skills and/or experience. To request a workshop or performance, simply click “Request Program” under the program description and complete the Form.
Fees and Costs
For each visual arts workshop, there is a non-refundable materials fee of $150 mailed to VMFA on receipt of an invoice near the date of the presentation. Performances are $250.
VMFA Statewide pays the artist’s fee of several hundred dollars and covers gas mileage.
Driving distances can occasionally necessitate that the Partner provide suitable overnight accommodation and meals for the artist.
VMFA Statewide Programs must be free and open to the public. Partner may suggest the students to pay a nominal fee, termed “Additional Materials Fee” or “Donation.”
Space Requirements
Artist workshops require a well-ventilated studio space with covered worktables, seating, and access to running water and electricity. Additional equipment needs are listed separately under each description. A staff member from the Partner must be present throughout workshops to introduce and assist the instructing artist or performer.
Length: VMFA Statewide workshops are designed to last about 5 hours to be a complete dive for the more engaged art student. The goal is for attendees to have a finished project to take home. Our artists are skilled at developing the students’ creativity with this in mind.
Lunch: Lunch break should be worked out with artist. Some prefer a lunch break, while some are okay with students snacking while working. It is highly recommended that the Partner venue provide lunch for the artist.
Cancellation: VMFA Statewide must be made aware of any type of cancellation at least five days before the event date or the host Partner must pay the fee. VMFA Statewide may cancel the workshop due to inclement weather or artist illness.
Scheduling
Workshop and performance dates are determined in consultation with VMFA Statewide, the Partner, and artist.
Priority is given to Virginia Partners beyond a 50-mile radius of VMFA. Our budget is limited, and our mission is to serve the entire state of Virginia. We invite those Partners within a 50- mile radius of VMFA to apprise their constituents of classes and activities given on VMFA campus.
Any VMFA Partner may host 3 programs per year. If our budget allows, VMFA Statewide can send 4-5 per year, if requested.
Please request a program at least two months prior to your desired program date and allow 2-3-weeks for confirmation. In case of urgencies, we will try to work with Partner requests made as little as 2 weeks in advance.
Availability
Artists and performers should be available July 2024–June 2025, with most available beyond those dates.
Publicity
For the Partner’s use in promoting the workshop or performance, images of the artists and/or their work may be available from the VMFA Statewide representative.
Acknowledgment Requirement
All publicity materials, electronic and/or printed, relating to the artists include the following credit line: This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Paul Mellon Endowment and the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
Audience
Due to the one-on-one nature of the Visual Arts Workshops, there must be a minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 participants. If there are fewer than 10, request approval from VMFA Statewide. For performances, there is no limit on number of audience members.
Checklist of Partner Responsibilities
The success of VMFA Statewide’s workshop program depends on strong audience development efforts, made well in advance of the event. To ensure success, the sponsor’s initial responsibilities are to:
- Email the Artist and VMFA Statewide with a complete itinerary at least two weeks before the program date.
- Have the art room in order and ready to go for the artist upon arrival. This includes any audio-visual needs.
- Have a representative of your organization introduce the artist to the students.
- Become a VMFA Partner (or renew). Simply complete a brief Partnership form at this link. No charge applies.
Evaluation
Within five days after the workshop or performance, the partner must provide VMFA Statewide with an evaluation of the program. These can be emailed to VMFA. Please include information about the attendance figures and publicity arrangements, as well as comments and suggestions on the overall workshop. When this is sent, the partner must include copies of some related publicity and printed materials. Some photos of the event would be greatly appreciated.
Address all questions to:
trent.nicholas@vmfa.museum or call 804-204-2681.
Echoes of Goya
This performance is a multimedia celebration of the Spanish master, Francisco Goya. Visual images of his paintings, etchings and aquatints are juxtaposed with commentary and virtuoso guitar pieces consisting of music that was around him as he was creating his art and, later, music that his art inspired. The latter includes new works written for William by composers from Argentina, Cuba and the US. Accompanying materials include a CD, poster, a list and PowerPoint of the relevant images and extensive program notes.
Request ProgramAmerican Sketches
Feasley attended the Estudio de Arte Guitarristico in Mexico City before becoming the first guitarist to receive the Peabody Conservatory’s coveted Artist Diploma. Selected to play for Andres Segovia at the Master’s historic last class at the University of Southern California, he was later featured on the CBS special Eulogy of Segovia. Feasley has been the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including a Gold Medal in the 1987 Panhellenic Guitar Competition in Athens, Greece, and the 1996 Governor’s Citation for Outstanding Achievements in the Arts in Maryland. Feasley plays the classical guitar, both as a solo performer and as part of The D’Amore Duo. This solo concert features works by Peter Madlem, Albert Harris, George Gershwin, William Bolcom, Harry Lincoln, and Percy Wenrich.
Request ProgramSilk Painting
Discover the French technique of serti, drawing with a liquid resist to create designs and patterns on silk scarves. Once the resist has dried and set with an iron, fabric paints are applied to complete the design. Students can expect to finish a long scarf. The workshop will also include a brief overview of the history of silk painting. This program has been organized by the VMFA Office of Statewide Partnerships and is funded, in part, by the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
Request ProgramStructures, Vessels, and Basketry
What kind of a structure or container would you build to safeguard and preserve something of value? This workshop demonstrates how to weave mats and baskets using the simplest of materials. Participants build wire structures and investigate different ways to cover them so they can conceal or reveal the contents inside. Investigating both natural and manmade materials, this workshop allows experimentation with stacking, weaving, and stitching to create vessels.
Request ProgramCrash Course in Knitting
Learn how to knit! This workshop introduces beginners to the basic tools and materials used in knitting. Participants will receive group and individualized instruction. Materials are provided for this day-long workshop and at least one project will be on its way to completion by the end of the day.
Request ProgramUnique Tees: Silkscreen
From idea to finished object, participants print their own professional-looking and unique t-shirt. Starting with a discussion of what makes a good design, participants create their own designs, cut stencils, and print onto shirts using the silkscreen printing technique. Along the way, the concept of positive and negative shapes is introduced as it relates to stencil design. This workshop is a fun and fast-paced day that involves both individual creativity and teamwork!
Request ProgramSketchbook: Constructing and Content
This workshop is a combination of bookbinding and idea generation. We begin with learning and preparing the basic parts of a sketchbook, as well as discussing the importance of keeping a sketchbook. Then, as we begin to bind the textblock, we will do several content-based exercises to “get those creative juices flowing.” At the end of the day, students will leave with a handmade sketchbook and new ideas to take back to their workspace and turn into masterpieces.
Request ProgramPicasso and the Fearless Print!
Picasso was not only a prolific artist, but also a fearless one! Throughout his long life, he was constantly trying new ideas and techniques. One of these fun techniques is the reduction print, which provides a quick introduction to relief printmaking and color layering. The print is designed in advance, and then slowly carved and printed in a succession that produces a final multi-colored print and a fully exhausted carving block. Since there is no “reverse,” reduction printing rewards both careful planning and spontaneous problem solving!
Request ProgramExploring the Mellon Collection: I Spy through Edgar Degas’ Eye
This workshop begins with a slide-and-poster-talk introduction to works by Edgar Degas from the VMFA Paul Mellon Collection. Students create Degas-inspired drawings that they transfer to print blocks. They make relief cuts from the transferred drawings using block printing gouges and produce hand-rubbed black ink prints on colored stock.
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