VMFA announces full roster of events, talks, performances, and exhibits celebrating Black History Month

This February, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents an eclectic mix of programs to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. From talks by noted African American artists such as Chester Higgins and performances by acclaimed Black singers and musicians such as Desiree Roots and Claves Unidos, to updates on the museum’s important conservation work on objects in the African collection, the VMFA is taking a broad and comprehensive look at the contributions of African and African American art.

Exhibition

Like a Study in Black History: P.H. Polk, Chester Higgins, and The Black Photographer’s Annual, Volume 2
Through May 6 | Photography Gallery | Free; no tickets required

In the second volume of The Black Photographers Annual in 1974, editor and publisher Joe Crawford included an interview with P. H. Polk (1898–1984), the official photographer at Tuskegee University for nearly 50 years. Accompanied by a portfolio of Polk’s photographs, the entry began with this quote: “A number of students at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama told The Black Photographers Annual that looking at the works of P. H. Polk was like a study in Black history.” It was Chester Higgins, a student at Tuskegee, who introduced Polk’s work to the Annual. This series of exhibitions is sponsored by Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher and Dr. Betty Neal Crutcher.

Performances

First Friday: The Cheats Movement
Fri, Feb 2 | 6-8 pm | Atrium | Free; no tickets required

Marc Cheatham brings together a performance blending spoken word, hip-hop, history, and art focused on the mission of his group: to highlight the very best in humanity.

Dominion Energy Jazz Café: Jazz Around the Museum
featuring Desiree Roots

Thu, Feb 8 | 6-9 pm | Marble Hall | Free; no tickets required

Celebrating her CD, Don’t Ever Stop Dreaming, Desiree Roots brings a mixture of straight-ahead jazz and contemporary classics with her all-star ensemble.

Dance After Work: Claves Unidos

Fri, Feb 16 | 6-8:30 pm | Atrium | Free; no tickets required

Uniting the African Diaspora through dance, Claves Unidos (United Rhythms) is a collective of independent artists under the direction of founder Kevin LaMarr Jones, who believes that beyond many barriers, the African presence in the arts unites the world.

VMFA After Hours

After Hours Dance Party

Sat, Feb 3 | 7-11:30 pm | Marble Hall, Atrium, and Claiborne Robertson Room

Advance ticket sales only: $45 ($35 for member of VMFA or Black History Museum)
Must be 21+ to attend

Travel through space and time from ancient China to 20th-century Black America to modern-day RVA, all in one night. Hosted by Kelli Lemon. Music by DJ Lonnie B and Legacy Band.

Talks

Artist Talk: Chester Higgins

Fri, Feb 16 | 6:30-7:30 pm | Leslie Cheek Theater | $8 (VMFA members $5)

Photographer Chester Higgins sees his ”life as a narrative and [his] photography as its expression.” Join us for an evening with the artist as he discusses his life and work.

Conservation of African Art: the Meeting of Art & Science

Tue, Feb 20 | 11 am-noon | Marble Hall | Free; tickets required

Casey Mallinckrodt, Andrew Mellon Assistant Conservator for the VMFA, discusses the conservation and technical analysis of objects in the museum’s African art collection.

Gallery Programs

3 in 30: Chester Higgins and P.H. Polk (A 30 minute tour featuring three items from our collection)

Tue, Feb 6| 11-11:30 am & Thu, Feb 8 | 6:30-7 pm
Meet at Visitor Services| Free; no tickets required

Explore the relationship between photographers Chester Higgins and P.H. Polk, connected through Tuskegee University, with Dr. Sarah Eckhardt, VMFA’s Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

African American Read-In (Featuring community leaders as readers)

Thu, Feb 22 | Museum-wide | Free; no tickets required
As a part of the 28th Annual African American Read-In, VMFA staff and community leaders share African and African American literature through readings, poetry, and speeches related to works in the permanent collection. Also, new this year, children and their families are invited to join us from 4-5pm to explore artwork and stories by African and African American artists lead by VMFA Early Childhood Education Staff. For ages 2 1/2-8 (accompanied by an adult).

African And African-American Art in VMFA’s Permanent Collections
In 1944, only nine years after opening its doors, the VMFA acquired its first work by an African American artist. Since that time, the Museum has remained steadfast in building a collection reflective of the African American experience and expression. In 2015, the VMFA redoubled these efforts, launching an initiative to significantly deepen its holdings of African, African American and African Diasporic artists as a means to expand its connection to an ever growing diverse community. Browse the Collections page at VMFA.museum to learn more about these works.