EVENTS

CALENDAR¬

We love making your Museum experience even better by offering a variety of unique programs each month. From interactive talks with exhibiting artists, to master classes, there are events for all ages, interests, and artistic experience.

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    Mar 23

    Photo by Alvin Parker, Kxxda Media.

    CLASSES
    Ceramics: Developing your Artistic Style

    ADULTS
    Five Sessions
    Instructor: Sherród Faulks

    One of the greatest challenges and opportunities in an artist’s career is discovering their artistic style. In this dynamic, five-week course, we’ll concentrate on finding and developing a signature style in our ceramic artwork.

    Thursdays, March 23–April 20, 2023
    6:00–9:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Mar 24

    Photo courtesy of Annette Gordon-Reed.

    FEATURED EVENT
    An Evening with Annette Gordon-Reed, Harvard Professor and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author

    Annette Gordon-Reed is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard University and a professor of history in the University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Gordon-Reed is noted for changing scholarship on Thomas Jefferson regarding his relationship with Sally Hemings and her children.

    Friday, March 24, 2023
    6:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Mar 25

    Photo by Fresh Look Photography.

    CLASSES
    Mixed Media: Collage on Canvas

    AGES 6–8
    One session
    Instructor: Jeff Robertson

    A collage is made by attaching various materials such as photographs and pieces of paper or fabric to a backing. Professional collage artists set their work apart through their unique ideas and the way they put the work together. In this one-day workshop, we’ll discover many exciting examples of collage in contemporary art and try our hand at creating a professional-quality collage of our own!

    Saturday, March 25, 2023
    1:00–3:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Mar 25

    Amber Pierce. Courtesy of the artist.

    PROGRAMS
    Atrium Artist in Residence: Amber Pierce

    Engage with working artists creating on-site inspired by Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish. Artists will have mobile studios set up in the Virginia MOCA Atrium. The residency aims to support and amplify the work of regional artists while creating another entry point for Museum visitors to engage with contemporary art and ideas in connection with the main gallery exhibitions.

    This month's Artist in Residence is Amber Pierce.

    Saturday, March 25–April 22, 2023
    10:00 AM–3:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA ATRIUM

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    Mar 25

    Photo by Lindsay Collette.

    CLASSES
    1st Art: Printmaking

    AGES 2–5 (WITH CAREGIVER)
    One Session
    Instructor: Kim Herman

    Explore shapes and silhouettes with a gelli plate as we learn how to identify positive and negative space in art! Practice skills in cutting, arranging, and printmaking, and walk away with several unique, handmade prints.

    Saturday, March 25, 2023
    10:30–11:30 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Mar 26

    Photo by Lindsay Collette.

    PROGRAMS
    Looking to Learn: Art & Storytime

    Children ages 3–8 and their caregivers are invited to join us each month as we look, learn, and make in response to themes from our current exhibitions. This program for families will include close-looking at artwork, reading of a storybook, and a making activity inspired by the theme.

    Sunday, March 26, 2023
    10:00 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Mar 30

    Photo courtesy of Brittany Johnson.

    CLASSES
    Drawing: Scratchboard

    ADULTS
    Four Sessions
    Level: All levels welcome
    Instructor: Brittany Johnson

    Scratchboard is a subtractive drawing process that involves scraping away at a dark surface with a sharp tool to reveal a lighter layer beneath. This dynamic drawing method can be used to achieve stunning levels of contrast and detail.

    Thursdays, March 30–April 20, 2023
    6:00–8:30 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Mar 30

    Photo courtesy of Lauren Francis.

    PROGRAMS
    Coffee + Conversation with Lauren Francis, With Good Reason

    Join us for a casual conversation exploring current exhibitions, led by Virginia MOCA staff and guest lecturers.

    This month we will be joined by Lauren Francis, associate producer, With Good Reason, who will discuss selected works of art from our current exhibition Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick.

    Thursday, March 30, 2023
    11:00 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 01

    Photo by Lindsay Collette.

    FEATURED EVENT
    Community Day presented in partnership with the Virginia African American Cultural Center

    A Museum-wide activation encouraging intergenerational conversation. Explore our current exhibitions, and join us for a day of performances, activities, artist demos, community resources, food, and more.

    Saturday, April 1, 2023
    10:00 AM–4:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 01

    Nadd Harvin. Courtesy of the artist.

    PROGRAMS
    Atrium Artist in Residence: Nadd Harvin

    Engage with working artists creating on-site inspired by Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish. Artists will have mobile studios set up in the Virginia MOCA Atrium. The residency aims to support and amplify the work of regional artists while creating another entry point for Museum visitors to engage with contemporary art and ideas in connection with the main gallery exhibitions.

    This month's Artist in Residence is Nadd Harvin.

    Saturdays, April 1, May 27–June 10, June 11, 2023
    10:00 AM–3:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA ATRIUM

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    Apr 01

    Poetry Jackson. Photo courtesy of the artist.

    PROGRAMS
    Atrium Artist in Residence: Poetry Jackson

    Engage with working artists creating on-site inspired by Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish. Artists will have mobile studios set up in the Virginia MOCA Atrium. The residency aims to support and amplify the work of regional artists while creating another entry point for Museum visitors to engage with contemporary art and ideas in connection with the main gallery exhibitions.

    This month's Artist in Residence is Poetry Jackson.

    Saturdays, April 1, April 29–May 20, 2023
    10:00 AM–3:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA ATRIUM

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    Apr 08
    PROGRAMS
    Get Well Soon Workshop: Guided Meditation

    Connect with your breath in this beginner-friendly guided visualization meditation.

    Saturday, April 8, 2023
    9:30 AM

    GALLERIES

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    Apr 08

    Photo courtesy of Angelique Scott.

    CLASSES
    Ceramics: Hand-building, Symbolism, & Form

    ADULTS
    One session
    Instructor: Angelique Scott

    CLASS FULL; please join waitlist.

    Practice slab hand-building techniques to create a variety of forms, and use tools and underglaze to embellish ceramic surfaces with texture, text, symbols, and more.

    Saturday, April 8, 2023
    10:45 AM–2:45 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 10
    CLASSES
    Art Portfolio Development for Teens

    AGES 13–17
    Five Sessions
    Instructor: Heather Beardsley

    Spend spring break strengthening your art portfolio! In this week-long program for teens, you’ll work closely with a teaching artist to develop a series of artworks centered around a theme of your choice. Together, we’ll get inspired by the art in our galleries and hone our studio skills as we delve deep into the processes of research, practice, and documentation to develop a cohesive body of work perfect for building a strong portfolio.  

    Monday–Friday, April 10–14, 2023
    1:00–4:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 12

    Photo courtesy of LaToya M. Hobbs.

    PROGRAMS
    Instagram Live Chat: LaToya M. Hobbs

    Join Curator Heather Hakimzadeh for a conversation with past and current Virginia MOCA exhibiting artists. Guest artists will give us a look inside their studios, share current projects, and discuss process and inspiration.

    This month's guest is LaToya M. Hobbs.

    Thursday, April 12, 2023
    11:00 Am

    Instagram | @virginiamoca

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    Apr 15

    Photo courtesy of Isa Monell.

    CLASSES
    Watercolor: Process on Paper

    ADULTS
    One session
    Instructor: Isa Monell

    Spend the day relaxing with watercolor, journaling, and imagination as you learn introductory watercolor painting techniques and experiment with the dynamics of blending colors. Discover how journaling and process art may assist in sifting through the weight of life’s experiences, and engage with the capacity of color to influence the emotional power of a particular work of art.

    Saturday, April 15, 2023
    10:00 AM–2:30 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 18
    PROGRAMS
    Norfolk State University Night at Virginia MOCA

    Virginia MOCA welcomes Norfolk State University (NSU) students, faculty, staff, and administrators for an evening of art and conversation. Explore the interdisciplinary connections found in Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick through a panel discussion and gallery tours led by NSU faculty, topics will include psychology, sociology, womanism/Black feminism, media, African American art, and history.

    All are welcome to attend.

    Tuesday, April 18, 2023
    6:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 22
    CLASSES
    1st Art: Drawing

    AGES 2–5 (WITH CAREGIVER)
    1 session
    Instructor: Bria Tyler

    Explore the element of texture through the scratchboard art technique. Scratchboard is a drawing medium where the artist scrapes away at a dark surface layer to reveal a secret layer underneath. In this workshop, we’ll use wooden tools to mark the surface of our scratchboard, revealing a colorful first layer. We’ll also learn how to make our very own, homemade scratchboards so you can repeat the process whenever you’d like!

    Saturday, April 22, 2023
    10:30–11:30 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 22
    CLASSES
    Intro to Contemporary Art

    AGES 6–8
    Five Sessions
    Instructor: Renee Calway

    CLASS FULL; please join waitlist.

    Uncover the themes, techniques, and materials exhibited in the galleries at Virginia MOCA, and immerse yourself in the essential studio practices of a contemporary artist. Learn to create works of art from start to finish as you perform visual research in a sketchbook, and try your hand at a variety of techniques in drawing, painting, and printmaking. By the end of this experience, you’ll walk away with a final print, drawing, and painting, in addition to a sketchbook full of useful knowledge!

    Saturdays, April 22–May 20, 2023
    12:00–1:30 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 23
    PROGRAMS
    Looking to Learn: Art & Storytime

    Children ages 3–8 and their caregivers are invited to join us each month as we look, learn, and make in response to themes from our current exhibitions. This program for families will include close-looking at artwork, reading of a storybook, and a making activity inspired by the theme.

    Sunday, April 23, 2023
    10:00 AM

    ZOOM

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    Apr 27
    FEATURED EVENT
    A Seat at the Table: An Arts & Culture Experience

    This Something in the Water community event brings a night of conversation and celebration for Black arts and culture in the Hampton Roads community.

    Thursday, April 27, 2023
    6:00–11:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Apr 29

    Photo courtesy of Amber Pierce.

    CLASSES
    Ceramics: Vessels with a Voice

    ADULTS
    Five sessions
    Instructor: Amber Pierce

    Discover expanded form-building and embellishment techniques to create ceramic vessels that share a story! For centuries, artisans have used ceramic surfaces to chronicle moments, legends, and messages. See how this tradition continues in contemporary art by exploring the galleries at Virginia MOCA and practicing your own take on ceramic form and surface design in our studios.

    Saturdays, April 29–May 27, 2023
    12:30–3:30 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 03

    Amber Pierce. Courtesy of the artist.

    PROGRAMS
    Teaching with Art: Artist in Residence Amber Pierce

    Join us for Teaching with Art at Virginia MOCA, part of a free professional development series created for educators of all grade levels and subject areas.

    This program, focusing on our current exhibitions Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish, aims to equip teachers with helpful tools for using contemporary artwork in their curriculum and classrooms.

    We will be joined by one of Virginia MOCA’s Atrium Artists in Residence, Amber Pierce, as she shares how these exhibitions have influenced her own artistic practice.

    Wednesday, May 3, 2023
    5:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 04

    Photo courtesy of Dr. Khadijah O. Miller.

    PROGRAMS
    Coffee + Conversation with Dr. Khadijah O. Miller

    Join us for a casual conversation exploring current exhibitions, led by Virginia MOCA staff and guest lecturers.

    This month we will be joined by Dr. Khadijah O. Miller, professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and dean of Robert C. Nusbaum Honors College at Norfolk State University, who will discuss selected works of art from our current exhibition Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick.

    Thursday, May 4, 2023
    11:00 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 06
    CLASSES
    Ceramics: Scratching the Surface

    AGES 9–12
    1 Session
    Instructor: Renee Calway

    CLASS FULL; please join waitlist.

    Sgraffito, meaning 'scratched', explores the layering and removal of different colored clay slips to create bold patterns and designs. Inspired by the textured artworks of LaToya Hobbs in our galleries, students will have the chance to design and create their own ceramic objects using the sgraffito technique!

    Saturday, May 6, 2023
    9:00–11:00 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 07

    Photo courtesy of Austin Miles.

    CLASSES
    Acrylic Painting: The Human Figure

    ADULTS
    One session
    Instructor: Auz Miles

    In this day-long workshop, you’ll learn to use movement, light, and color to tell expressive stories with the human figure in acrylic paint. Inspired by a visit to our exhibitions, we’ll discuss the importance of composition, color, narrative, and more in abstract and representational figure art before moving on to create our very own figure paintings!

    Sunday, May 7, 2023
    10:00 AM–4:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 10

    Photo Courtesy of Ciona Rouse.

    PROGRAMS
    Instagram Live Chat: Ciona Rouse

    Join Senior Curator Heather Hakimzadeh for a conversation with Ciona Rouse, poet and co-curator for Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick.

    Wednesday, May 10, 2023
    11:00 AM

    Instagram

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    May 11

    Photo Courtesy of Valerie Cassel Oliver.

    PROGRAMS
    Lecture: Valerie Cassel Oliver on Kara Walker

    Valerie Cassel Oliver, Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), will discuss Kara Walker, her work, and her impact on the world of contemporary art.

    Thursday, May 11, 2023
    6:30 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 14
    PROGRAMS
    Get Well Soon Workshop: Drawing Meditation

    Join us for a guided drawing meditation workshop to calm the mind.

    Sunday, May 14, 2023
    11:00 AM

    GALLERIES

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    May 16
    PROGRAMS
    Community Workshop: Exploring the Dynamic of Race, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

    Race plays a critical role in understanding experiences and perspectives in our society. This workshop provides an opportunity to make meaning of how socialization, access, and experience may be shaped by our racial identities. Participants will consider critical incidents in their lives connected to identity, and they will then learn about and apply an identity development framework to better understand the impact of race.

    Tuesday, May 16, 2023
    6:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 18

    Photo courtesy of Anna Freeman.

    CLASSES
    Ceramics: Sgraffito

    ADULTS
    Three Sessions
    Instructor: Anna Freeman

    Sgraffito involves carving lines and marks through layers of underglaze or slip to reveal the clay color beneath. Visit our galleries to view the intricately carved works of exhibiting artist LaToya Hobbs, and create a ceramic piece inspired by Hobbs’ processes of using subtraction to create imagery.

    Thursdays, May 18–June 1, 2023
    6:30–9:00 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 20

    Photo by Fresh Look Photography.

    CLASSES
    1st Art: Painting

    AGES 2–5 (WITH CAREGIVER)
    1 Session
    Instructor: Kim Herman

    In this workshop, we’ll combine collage and paint to create multilayered, abstract works of art with a focus on texture and shape. Young artists will practice their scissor skills, as well as color mixing and painting techniques. By the end of class, they’ll walk away with a large, mixed-media artwork ready for display!

    Saturday, May 20, 2023
    10:30–11:30 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    May 21
    PROGRAMS
    Looking to Learn: Art & Storytime

    Children ages 3–8 and their caregivers are invited to join us each month as we look, learn, and make in response to themes from our current exhibitions. This program for families will include close-looking at artwork, reading of a storybook, and a making activity inspired by the theme.

    Sunday, May 21, 2023
    10:00 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Jun 07

    Photo courtesy of Trudy Gaba.

    PROGRAMS
    Instagram Live Chat: Trudy Gaba

    Join Senior Curator Heather Hakimzadeh for a conversation with Trudy Gaba, the Cincinnati Art Museum co-curator for Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick.

    Find us on Instagram @virginiamoca.

    Wednesday, June 7, 2023
    11:00 AM

    Instagram

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    Jun 08

    Julianna Siddiqi performs Imagine Isabella in Cash Crop, an exhibition by artist Stephen Hayes.

    PROGRAMS
    Imagine Isabella: A Solo Performance

    Imagine Isabella is a solo performance exploring the lives of Antony and Isabella, two of the first 20 enslaved Africans arriving at Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619, and their enslaver Captain Tucker. Performed inside the Virginia MOCA galleries, Imagine Isabella uses the artwork of Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick as a backdrop to bridge art and story.

    Thursday, June 8, 2023
    6:30 PM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Jun 10

    Photo by Fresh Look Photography.

    CLASSES
    1st Art: Clay

    AGES 2–5 (WITH CAREGIVER)
    One session
    Instructor: Bria Tyler

    CLASS FULL; please join waitlist.

    In this workshop, your little one will learn all about the human face as we use texture tools to animate a clay slab. After adding all the facial details, we’ll then learn how to slump our clay over a mold to create the perfect trinket dish! All artworks created during this class will be glazed, kiln-fired, and treasured for years to come. Museum staff will contact you for pickup when your final artwork is ready for pickup!

    Saturday, June 10, 2023
    10:30–11:30 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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    Jun 11
    PROGRAMS
    Get Well Soon Workshop: Beyoncé Vinyasa Flow Yoga

    A gentle vinyasa flow to a well-curated Beyoncé playlist. First time doing yoga? No problem. All levels are welcome!

    Sunday, June 11, 2023
    9:00 AM

    VIRGINIA MOCA

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