Professional Development

Professional Practices for the Visual Artist

Jeffrey Allison, Paul Mellon Collection Educator, VMFA, and Photographer

This workshop is devoted to the needs of the individual artist. Topics include photographing artwork, funding opportunities, developing professional relationships with galleries and publications, copyright issues, and marketing on the web. This workshop can be offered as a day-long workshop with a strong focus on photographing artwork or in a half-day or evening format that focuses more on gallery relationships, funding, and the business of art.

This program has been organized by the VMFA Office of Statewide Partnerships, and is funded, in part, by the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.
Available: July 2011 – June 2013
Audience: Practicing artists and college-level students
Enrollment: Minimum 10, no maximum

Professional Development for Teachers: Literacy Through Bookmaking

Diana Detamore, Artist and Educator

How can we improve our students' reading and writing skills and encourage an enthusiasm for learning? Learning comes alive through creative thinking and hands-on experience, as it does in this innovative workshop, which introduces ways to integrate art and academic studies, through bookmaking and journaling. We have an intimate relationship with books, as we hold them in our hands and turn the pages. Handmade books and journals are an excellent vehicle to spark creativity and personal expression in students of all ages. Written and illustrated journals can serve as flexible instructional tools across curriculums. Diana Detamore will share her collections of handmade books and journals. She will discuss a variety of approaches to making books and journaling and offer resources to assist teachers in making curriculum connections. The workshop is designed for all subjects and age groups. No art experience is necessary. Participants will be guided in creating two simple book formats (one folded and one sewn). Workshop will conclude with a brainstorming session, sharing new ideas for curriculum connections and lesson plans.

This program has been organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and is funded, in part, by the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.

Available: July 2011 – June 2013
Audience: Adult
Enrollment: 20

Writing an Effective Artist's Statement

Laura Parsons, Writer and Art Critic

The daunting challenge of writing an artist's statement can cause even the most accomplished artist to lose confidence. How long should it be? What should it include? Should it be creative or just state the facts? This workshop enables visual artists to craft statements about their work that are effective and express their individual personalities. Participants learn how to critique their current statements, how to avoid common pitfalls, how to determine the requirements of particular tasks — from exhibition statements to grant applications, how to select and manipulate words to create a lively sense of who they are, and how to compose a general statement easily adapted for different purposes. Above all, this workshop takes the fear out of writing and replaces it with self-assurance and fun.

This program has been organized by the VMFA Office of Statewide Partnerships, and is funded, in part, by the Jean Stafford Camp Memorial Fund.

Available: July 2011 – June 2013