Photo: Sandra Sellars © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA donors John and Diana O’Connor in the American Galleries (McGlothlin) September 30, 2020.
Longtime members John and Diana O’Connor of Manakin-Sabot had been thinking about making a significant gift to VMFA when an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch in January 2019 set the idea in motion. Although the museum had yet to announce its plans to the public, the governor’s budget included a planning grant for an expansion with nearly 200,000 sq. ft. of space for permanent collection galleries, special exhibitions, and educational activities. The couple quickly contacted the Advancement office to offer their support.
“We’ve been visiting the museum since we moved to Richmond some 30 years ago and it’s always been a wonderful asset to the community,” says John. “After the opening of the McGlothlin Wing VMFA became an economic engine for the region, which is pretty remarkable for an art museum. It’s a destination for residents and tourists but also helps employers attract and retain employees.”
“Of all the museums we’ve visited, VMFA is truly the best,” adds Diana, who has worked in the Shop as a Council volunteer for many years. “Every visit is an adventure. You never know what you’ll discover in the galleries or who you’ll meet. We’ve enjoyed the museum with our children, then our grandchildren, friends from Richmond and out of town,” she explains, “and we really wanted to be a partner in its continued growth through this gift.”
As they learned more about the goals of the expansion and the campaign through conversations with Dr. Michael R. Taylor, Chief Curator and Deputy Director for Art and Education, and Alex Nyerges, Director and CEO, the idea of an intimate, contemplative gallery crystallized. Drawing upon VMFA’s encyclopedic collections, the future John R. and Diana Powers O’Connor Gallery will present works of art in innovative and thought-provoking contexts. With each new installation, curators will create connections and crosscurrents between different collecting areas, time periods, cultures, inviting visitors to experience familiar works in new ways. The frequently changing displays promise to entice visitors to return again and again.
The O’Connors are delighted with the concept, which reflects an experience the couple had years before during a trip to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. “I was mostly alone in this Botticelli gallery,” Diana explains, “surrounded by every Christmas card I’d ever sent. It was absolutely magical, to be sitting there and having such a personal experience with the art.” After some time, one of the guards approached her to ask how she was enjoying the gallery. At the end of their conversion, he said, “It is here for you,” which immediately reminded Diana of VMFA’s motto. “Our hope,” notes Diana, “is that this beautiful gallery will project that message to every visitor: It’s Your Art.”
The O’Connor commitment, which was finalized in August 2019, is the first space to be named in the new wing.
We invite you to learn more about the Campaign for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts by visiting this page or contacting Jasmonn Coleman, Assistant Deputy Director of Development, at campaign@VMFA.museum or 804.340.5529.