Features

Meet the judges for the 10th Annual VisArts Chili Throwdown

September 03, 2024 Blog Features

Nothing goes better with a handmade ceramic bowl than chili, and we’ll take any excuse to link up with the foodies of Richmond. Every year, we invite local restaurants to go head-to-head in a blind chili taste test here at VisArt. The chili is tested not only by our event attendees, but by a panel […]

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Another summer of ArtVenture in the books

August 13, 2024 Features

If you’ve dropped by VisArts on a weekday this summer, no doubt you’ve seen some of our youngest artists bopping from studio to studio, donning the ArtVenture t-shirts they screenprinted themselves.   This electric summertime energy is a familiar phenomenon here at VisArts. In some iteration or another over the past 40+ years, our building […]

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The Visual Arts Center Launches New Studio Fellowship Program 

December 08, 2023 Blog Features

Richmond, VA (December 8, 2023) — The Visual Arts Center in Richmond, Virginia is launching a new Studio Fellowship program to support clay artists and studio technicians emerging in the field. The fellowships began in October and will continue for a full year through next October, 2024  This program begins in the year leading up to […]

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Q & A with Illustrator Adam Goodman – Illustrator of VisArts’ 2023 Fall Class Catalog

July 24, 2023 Features

If you’ve picked up VisArts’ 2023 fall class catalog then you’ve encountered mixed media illustrator Adam Goodman’s fun, humorous barnyard animals. The characters illustrated by Goodman, a Philadelphia-based VCU grad, depict farm animals studiously making art. Goodman loves to use humor in everything he does, and this catalog is no different. Using his signature paper-cut […]

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VisArts Appoints Jordan Brown as New Executive Director

June 28, 2023 Blog Features

The Board of Directors of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jordan Brown as the organization’s new Executive Director effective immediately. Brown, who has served as the interim executive director since January 2023, brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the organization. Having started in […]

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Q&A With Illustrator Tess Wladar

April 21, 2023 Features

If you’ve picked up VisArts’ summer 2023 class catalog you’ve most likely encountered the delightful 3D characters created by illustrator and animator Tess Wladar. Tess is a 3D illustrator, animator, and fiber artist from Richmond, Virginia. She uses 3D modeling software to create adorable characters (that we, at VisArts have affectionately dubbed, “the squishies”), objects, […]

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Puppets in Protest: Community Build Exhibition Opens at VisArts

September 12, 2022 Blog Features

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond opened its Fall 2022 season with Community Build, an exhibition that explores the transformation of the collective through craft.  Artists Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Lil Lamberta, Valeska Populoh and members of their respective communities were the creatives behind the collaborative exhibition. Community Build opened on September 9, with a performance by […]

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Illustrator Erin Jhi Brings Possum Love to VisArts Fall 2022 Class Catalog

July 20, 2022 Blog Features

Erin Jhi is an illustrator from South Korea who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Art and completed a 2021-22 Pop Residency at the Visual Arts Center of Virginia. Erin’s studio practice uses traditional drawing and painting to reflect cultural taboos, differences, and experiences which emulate the conflicting emotions of belonging yet simultaneously out of […]

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ArtVenture Summer Camp Kicks Off At VisArts With Supersized Fun

June 29, 2022 Blog Features

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) commenced the 2022 ArtVenture Summer Camp season with a new class that brought larger-than-life puppet making to the classroom taught by the director of All The Saints Theater, Lily Lamberta. Students made a 15-foot high paper-mache puppet named Jerry. “Jerry” pronouns they/them was made as a penguin swamp […]

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VisArts Annual [Work] Exhibition Opens Friday June 17, Showcasing Over 65 New Works by VisArts Faculty, Staff, and Board Members

June 15, 2022 Blog Features

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s annual [Work] Exhibition opens on Friday, June 17, 2022, with an opening reception in VisArts’ True F. Luck Gallery beginning at 5:30 p.m. The exhibit features over 65 pieces of art created by VisArts faculty, staff, and board members.   “VisArts hires close to two hundred teaching artists each […]

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Meet the Curator: Caroline Wright discusses “Mira, Miru,” the 2022 VisArts Resident Artist Exhibition

April 22, 2022 Features

Caroline Wright is the consulting curator behind the Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s resident exhibition, “Mira, Miru.” Caroline is no stranger to VisArts — she worked as Director of Exhibition Programming at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond from 2011-2016. In this role, she curated contemporary art exhibitions in an extensive range of media and […]

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Q&A With Writer & Illustrator James Callahan

February 28, 2022 Features

Richmond-based writer and illustrator James Callahan graduated from VCU’s Communication Arts and Design program with a focus on Illustration in 2001. Over the years he’s created thousands of drawings for comics, records, clothing, skateboards, and every other imaginable printable surface, including the cover of VisArts’ Spring 2022 class catalog. Each year, the Visual Arts Center […]

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Q&A With Matt Cricchio, Author and Instructor of VisArts’ Yearlong Novel-Writing Class

November 29, 2021 Blog Features

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond is giving aspiring novelists the perfect opportunity to kick-start their writing careers in 2022. VisArts’ yearlong novel-writing class kicks off again this January. In this special class, writers will have the chance to spend an entire year workshopping their writing with Richmond-based author, Matt Cricchio. Cricchio is a Navy […]

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Over 500 Guests Attend “Of Mud & Blood” Opening; Pieces Up for Auction Until Dec. 20

November 12, 2021 Blog Features

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) hosted over 500 guests at the opening for “Of Mud & Blood,” an exhibition that features collaborative works by Central Virginia-based ceramicists and tattoo artists. The exhibition explores these centuries-old crafts through various vessels, sculptures and many other forms. Known for their own traditional styles and techniques, the […]

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The Royal Pig and Curbside Café win top prizes at the 8th Annual VisArts Chili Throwdown

October 08, 2021 Features

The Royal Pig and Curbside Café were declared chili champions at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s 8th Annual Chili Throwdown on Friday, Oct. 1. More than 500 people attended the event that benefits VisArts, making this year’s fundraiser the most successful yet. The Cary Street Ramblers performed traditional string band music as guests picked out handmade ceramic bowls made and donated by local clay […]

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Over 150 Handmade, Ceramic Bowls and Mugs are Ready for the VisArts Chili Throwdown, Thanks to Resident-artist, Kourtenay Plummer

September 23, 2021 Features

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond will host its eighth annual  VisArts Chili Throwdown on Friday, October 1. Adult admission to the event includes a handmade ceramic bowl—made and donated by local clay artists—a drink ticket and a bowl of delicious chili chosen from over 20 local restaurants.   In the months leading up to this popular VisArts fundraiser event, Chili Throwdown Clay Art […]

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Craft + Design Online Jewelry Guide 

November 23, 2020 Features

By Karen Kelly Craft + Design Online features a variety of museum-quality craft from artists across the country. The largest featured media is jewelry, with nearly 50 artists represented in this year’s show! From classic materials such as fine metals and precious stones to clay, newspaper, and wood, Craft + Design Online’s jewelry artists create truly […]

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Craft + Design New Artist Highlights

November 23, 2020 Features

Craft + Design is always evolving, growing and bringing in as many new artists as possible. While the 56th year of Craft + Design looks a little different due to COVID-19, we are continuing to welcome new artists and are proud to virtually host 46 of them for Craft + Design Online!   Stefanie Fedor, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s […]

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How to Navigate Craft + Design Online

November 23, 2020 Features

by Chris Hairston-White Welcome to Craft + Design Online, Presented by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond! As chair of the Craft + Design Committee this year, it’s my pleasure to share a how-to guide for navigating and enjoying this year’s virtual event.  With over 120 artists (including over 40 new artists) to shop and learn from, you’ll need to prep and plan your approach. Feel […]

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