Rumors of War, 2019, Kehinde Wiley. Photo by Travis Fullerton © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, December 2019.
RICHMOND, VA - The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts celebrates Black History Month throughout February with special events as part of its longstanding commitment to inclusivity and diversity outlined in its 2015-2020 strategic plan. The programs honor African American artists and highlight the museum’s growing African American art collection.
During an artist talk on Feb. 21 in Leslie Cheek Theater, Paul Rucker discusses his multidisciplinary art and practice as a visual artist, composer and musician. RVA Community Makers is back to honor six local leaders who have been selected for their impact on the RVA community. The Feb. 27 unveiling of the completed artwork will be led by Richmond-based artist Hamilton Glass.
VMFA Director and CEO Alex Nyerges says: “VMFA has an extensive collection featuring African American artists whose works are on display not just during Black History Month, but year-round. We are committed to celebrating talented artists by growing our collections.”
Additional programs include African American Read-In on Feb. 27, following the unveiling of RVA Community Makers. Dominion Jazz Cafe: Jazz Around the Museum will feature live music by Klaxton Brown Band on Feb. 13. VMFA After Hours: VMFA Is for Lovers, on Feb. 15, will feature DJ Lonnie B and live music by Legacy Band, hosted by Kelli Lemon. A full list of VMFA Black History Month programming is outlined below.
VMFA Black History Month Programs
RVA Community Makers Art Activity
Sun, Feb 2 | 1–4 p.m.
Free
Art Education Center
Take your digital family portraits onsite at VMFA to become part of a mixed-media public art collaboration.
OPEN STUDIOPLUS Grandma’s Hands
Sun, Feb 2 | 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Free
Atrium
Two sisters share remarkable stories from the perspective of the African American South.
FIRST FRIDAY Spirituals
Fri, Feb 7 | 6–8 p.m.
Free
Atrium
Sopranos Lisa Edwards Burrs and Olletta Cheatham perform spirituals.
GALLERY PROGRAM3 in 30:African American Art and the Power of the Written Word with Dr. Christopher Oliver,Assistant Curator of American Art
Tue, Feb11 | 11–11:30 a.m.
Thu, Feb13 | 6:30–7 p.m.
Free
Meet at Visitor Services
Explore three objects on view in VMFA’s American Art galleries with Dr. Oliver and discover their connection to the power of poetry and prose.
DOMINION ENERGY JAZZ CAFÉ Jazz Around the Museum
Klaxton Brown Band
Thu, Feb 13 | 6–9 p.m.
Free
Marble Hall
Led by saxophonist Robert “Bo” Bohannon, Klaxton Brown Band combines the old with the new and will rock you steady all night long. Prepare to get Klaxtonized!
VMFA AFTER HOURS VMFA Is for Lovers
Enjoy art, dancing, food and more!
Sat, Feb 15 | 7–11:30 p,m,
$45/person (VMFA members $35)
Museum wide
Hosted by Kelli Lemon, with DJ Lonnie B on the spin and Legacy Bandperforming live.
ARTIST TALK Paul Rucker
Fri, Feb 21 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
$8 (VMFA members $5)
Leslie Cheek Theater
Multidisciplinary artist Paul Rucker discusses his art and practice as a visual artist, composer and musician.
DANCE AFTER WORK Hip-Hop Line Dancing
Fri, Feb 21 | 6–8 p.m.
Free
Atrium
RVA Community Makers Unveiling
Thu, Feb 27 | 5:30 p.m.
Free
Atrium
Come see RVA Community Makers—a mixed-media public art mural in VMFA’s Atrium. The completed project will feature portraits of six local leaders who have been selected for their impact on the RVA community
GALLERY PROGRAM African American Read-In
Thu, Feb 27 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Free
Meet at Visitor Services
See and hear notable figures from the greater Richmond community as they lend their voices in prose and poetry readings through the galleries.
COMMUNITY EVENT | Celebrate Wiley!
Sat, Feb 29 | 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Free
Atrium
Join VMFA for a community celebration of Kehinde Wiley’s Rumors of War.
GALLERY PROGRAMFamily African American Read-In
Sat, Feb 29 | 11 a.m.–noon
Free
Meet at Visitor Services
Intended audience: children ages 2–8 years with their guardian; everyone is welcome.
Bring your family to VMFA to experience African and African American children’s literature read by members of the community in front of engaging works of art.
About the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA, which opened in 1936, is a state agency and privately endowed educational institution. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, and to encourage the study of the arts. Through theOffice of Statewide Partnerships program, the museum offers curated exhibitions, arts-related audiovisual programs, symposia, lectures, conferences, and workshops by visual and performing artists. In addition to presenting a wide array of special exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a global collection of art that spans more than 6,000 years.VMFA’s permanent holdings encompass nearly 50,000 artworks, including the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris, and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, British sporting and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art. In May 2010, VMFA opened its doors to the public after a transformative expansion, the largest in its history.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. For additional information, call 804-340-1400 or visit www.VMFA.museum.
