The Council of VMFA upcoming events

City Murals Walk (Wednesday, May 06, 2026)

Wed, 06 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

As we walk through the Jackson Ward community, we will be exposed to a variety of murals depicting the history and culture of this vibrant community.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Fee: $15 per person

Many of the murals were painted by the prominent muralist, Hamilton Glass. An example of his work, called Community Makers, was recently installed in the Atrium at VMFA.

This walk will begin at the Black History Museum located at 122 W. Leigh Street. There is on-street parking on Leigh Street and on St. Peter Street, and carpooling is strongly suggested. We will start at 1:00 p.m. and our walk should be complete by 3:00 p.m.

This is an urban walk, led by Rick Pleasants, on city streets and sidewalks with little elevation. Attendees should dress comfortably, with good walking shoes. Water, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended.

Parking and carpool details will be provided at a later date.

Organized by Nan Miller

For additional trip information, please contact:

Gail Bourner, Director of Membership Enrichment Programs, vmfacouncilmep@gmail.com

Council Information Event / India's Great Mughals Preview (Thursday, May 07, 2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

We hope you can join us for coffee and conversation in Conference Room 1 (across from the Entrance to Cheek Theater) to learn about the enriching activities and volunteer opportunities provided by The Council of VMFA.

Thursday, May 7th at 9:30 a.m.

The presentation and coffee will be followed by an exclusive opportunity to experience the VMFA Member Preview of India's Great Mughals: Art, Power and Opulence before this highly anticipated exhibition opens to the public.

What is The Council of VMFA?

The Council is a dynamic, diverse volunteer organization whose men and women actively give of their time and talent in support of the museum. Becoming a Council member is a chance to give back to the community, meet new friends, and enrich the experience of visitors to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

The Council of VMFA enthusiastically welcomes new members!

If you have any questions please email MaryMoss Walker, President, The Council of VMFA at marymoss.walker@vmfa.museum

Please note this event is for prospective Council Members not existing Members.

We will have passes for anyone who needs them to enter the India's Great Mughals: Art, Power and Opulence after The Council Information session.

Spring 2026 Lecture Luncheon (Monday, May 11, 2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Collecting Modern: The Making of VMFA’s Design Collection

by Alisa Chiles, Ph.D.

Dr. Alisa Chiles is the Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Decorative Arts, 1890 to the Present at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where she oversees a collection of more than 3,100 decorative arts objects created after 1890. This includes the museum’s renowned holdings of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, widely considered among the finest outside of France.

Spring Lecture Luncheon on Monday, May 11, 2026

Luncheon Cost: $65

Deadline to Register: April 29, 2026

9:15 am - 10am - Check In

9:30 am - Guided Tours (optional)

Plan to arrive at 9:15 am in the atrium. Tours will leave promptly at 9:30 am. Please attend if you sign up! Our docents work hard to prepare for the tour and their focused tours will add to your appreciation of our lecturer.

10:30 am - Council Business Meeting and Lecture - Cheek Theater

Lecture: Collecting Modern: The Making of VMFA’s Design Collection

This lecture traces the development of modern and contemporary design collecting at VMFA, from the transformative Lewis Collection gift to the establishment of a “Good Design” program in the 1980s with support from The Council. It explores future areas of growth, with a focus on building a more globally inclusive design collection and deepening the museum’s engagement with contemporary design.

*Image 1: Robert Venturi (American, 1925-2018) (Designer), Knoll, Inc. (Manufacturer), Art Deco Chair, 1984, Bent plywood, laminated plastic, Overall: 31 3/4 × 23 1/2 × 23 7/8 in. (80.65 × 59.69 × 60.64 cm), Council Good Design Fund and the Sydney and Frances Lewis Art Nouveau Fund, 87.3

*Image 2: Shiro Kuramata (Japanese, 1934-1991) (Designer), Kurosaki (Manufacturer), How High the Moon Armchair, 1993, Nickel-plated steel, Overall: 28 1/4 × 37 3/8 × 32 1/2 in. (71.76 × 94.93 × 82.55 cm), Council Good Design Fund, 95.20

Noon - Luncheon - Marble Hall

Menu:

Chicken Marsala over rice with asparagus tips
Sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce

Wild Mushroom Marsala with tofu over rice (Vegan)

Sorbet

If you would like to sit with friends at the luncheon, please send the names to Kathleen Murphy, klmarquessmurphy@gmail.com by April 29, 2026. Please verify that the members in your group have all registered for the luncheon, and send all names in the same message.

For additional information contact:

Gail Bourner, VMFACouncilMEP@gmail.com

This requires a specific registration and payment. Any payments by check must be received by April 29, 2026.

Registration limited to 128 people.

Payment options:

Pay Online with Credit or Debit Card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express)
Mail a check payable to "The Council of VMFA" addressed to The Council of VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220-4007. Attn: Wayne Gautier

Sculpture Garden Walking Tour (Friday, May 22, 2026)

Fri, 22 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Sculpture Garden Walking Tour with Michael Partusch,

Lead Horticulturist

Friday, May 22nd, 2026

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

There is no fee for this event.

Meet at the deck on the Upper Belvedere at the top of the waterfall stairs.

If you were able to go on this popular tour with Michael Partusch previously we ask that you consider not registering again this year and allowing another Council member to attend. - Thank you.

Registration Information:

The tour is limited to 30 participants. A waiting list will open once the tour is full.
The deadline to register is May 18th.

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For additional information, please contact:

Gail Bourner, Director of Membership Enrichment Programs, vmfacouncilmep@gmail.com