Ayida

Ayida is a new group exhibition of five early- to mid-career artists celebrating the Caribbean and its diaspora. Through a combination of new and existing works, the contributors investigate and pay attention to the material, spiritual, and intellectual cultures of Hait......More

Ayida is a new group exhibition of five early- to mid-career artists celebrating the Caribbean and its diaspora. Through a combination of new and existing works, the contributors investigate and pay attention to the material, spiritual, and intellectual cultures of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, among other sites. Taking inspiration from Haitian poet and performer Assotto Saint (b. 1957 Haiti, d. 1994 New York), an important figure of the 1980s Black and gay writers movement, the exhibition considers Saint’s own complex relationship to Haitian Vodou, a topic frequently censored in Western societies. This impetus gives rise to Ayida’s focus on syncretism between religions and cultures, and on Afro-diaspora religions. The exhibition thus builds on dance and folklore research by the Dominican sociologist Fradique Lizardo (1930–1997) on El Gagá, a movement-based Vodou practiced in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The exhibition title refers to Ayida, or Ayida Wedo, a loa or deity in Haitian Vodou that is the god for the earth and of the origins and is often represented by a feminine figure or a snake (such as in the 1947 oil painting Damballah La Flambeau by the famous Haitian artist Hector Hyppolite). The preoccupation with nature among Ayida’s followers is evident in most of the contributors’ works, in addition to traces of Afro-diaspora religions, including Candomblé, Santería, and Vodou, among others. Assotto Saint, the show’s main inspiration, was a poet who endeavored to archive the lives of his community of Black and gay writers in New York City through his work in publishing, editing, writing, and theater. Similarly, the exhibition’s contributors view their own artistic practices in documentary film, photography, installation, sculpture, and printmaking as a kind of archival and memory work. At the same time, they are also interested in textiles and other forms of craft that refer to the objects and material cultures of Black diaspora communities in the Caribbean and the United States. Ayida is curated by guest curator Serubiri Moses and coordinated by ICA Assistant Curator Egbert Vongmalaithong. The exhibition features works by Oletha DeVane, Thomas Allen Harris, Lizania Cruz, mujero, and Didier William.

Institute for Contemporary Art at The Markel Center, 601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States

Lily Cox-Richard: Disquiet in the Sand

Lily Cox-Richard’s (Professor, Sculpture + Extended Media) solo exhibition Disquiet in the Sand presents a newly commissioned body of work that examines how land serves as both a witness and a guide amid our current global crises. This exhibition invites viewers to enga......More

Lily Cox-Richard’s (Professor, Sculpture + Extended Media) solo exhibition Disquiet in the Sand presents a newly commissioned body of work that examines how land serves as both a witness and a guide amid our current global crises. This exhibition invites viewers to engage deeply with sites marked by profound human transformation, listening for messages that resonate through the earth. At the heart of Disquiet in the Sand is the artist’s expansive use of material as medium, as they explore glass as both a material and a conduit. The exhibition features a series of multicolored scrying mirrors, creating a vibrant and immersive constellation within the ICA’s True Farr Luck Gallery. These glassworks act as lenses, reflecting and refracting light while inviting viewers to look deeper. Both the glass and the artist’s body serve as physical and spiritual conduits, with the installation activated by the shifting natural light in the gallery, fostering ongoing dialogue with the messages emanating from the land. Cox-Richard draws on their dedication to divination, ritual, and deep listening to explore the intersections of history, spirituality, and presence. Their practice is rooted in uncovering paths of resistance and understanding the narratives embedded in the land. A key aspect of this project involves the exploration of infradian rhythms and somatic cycles, particularly the influence of lunar phases on our bodies and interactions with the environment. Through their own experiences, the artist embraces the wisdom that comes with time, inviting viewers to reflect on how our connections to place evolve and how listening can become a lifelong commitment. Central to the exhibition is the ancient practice of scrying—gazing into reflective surfaces for insight, particularly through glass. Cox-Richard has undertaken repeated visits to White Sands, New Mexico, during full moon cycles, conducting rituals that inform the charged objects in the exhibition. These scrying mirrors, cast from impressions made in the sand during rituals, serve both as artifacts and as catalysts for interpretation. The artist’s fascination with White Sands is driven by their interest in sites that have undergone significant damage and transformation through tourism and other pervasive economies, in particular activities conducted by the U.S. military. While Cox-Richard interprets these messages, the exhibition also embraces collective engagement, inviting co-conspirators, witches, and mediums to join in the scrying process. This collaborative approach encourages viewers to partake in interpretation and foster a shared understanding of land stewardship, and a shared respect for the wisdom that accumulates in place. Disquiet in the Sand stands as a testament to the importance of reflection and connection, urging us to honor the land and seek guidance through ritual and community. Lily Cox-Richard: Disquiet in the Sand is curated by Amber Esseiva, acting senior curator of the ICA.

Institute for Contemporary Art at The Markel Center, 601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States

Julien Creuzet: Attila cataract your source at the feet of the green peaks will end up in the great sea blue abyss we drowned in the tidal tears of the moon

Julien Creuzet (b. 1986, Le Blanc Mesnil, France, lives Paris) has reimagined his French Pavillion from the 60th Venice Biennale (2024) for the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. Creuzet’s exhibition at the ICA is part of a North America......More

Julien Creuzet (b. 1986, Le Blanc Mesnil, France, lives Paris) has reimagined his French Pavillion from the 60th Venice Biennale (2024) for the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. Creuzet’s exhibition at the ICA is part of a North American tour that begins at The Bell Gallery at Brown University (February 20–June 1, 2025) and will include The Gund at Kenyon College. For this tour Creuzet has created an immersive video and archipelagic sculptural installation that extends his focus on water as a site of both historical and contemporary traumas and emancipatory futures. A liquid ecosystem of voice, texture, sound, and moving image as divine presence, this multisensorial project is deeply sonic and draws from hip-hop, jazz, and other musical forms and bodily gestures across the African diaspora. Creuzet’s artistic practice has long referenced legacies of colonialism, and his challenge to the architecture and history of the French Pavilion extends to the campuses of Brown, Kenyon, and VCU and their historic centrality within the Black Atlantic. Julien Creuzet: Attila cataract your source at the feet of the green peaks will end up in the great sea blue abyss we drowned in the tidal tears of the moon was originated for the French Pavilion by curators Céline Kopp and Cindy Sissokho. Kate Kraczon, director of exhibitions and chief curator of the Brown Arts Institute / David Winton Bell Gallery, curated the exhibition for The Bell and helped organize the U.S. tour. The show was organized for the ICA at VCU by Amber Esseiva, acting senior curator of the ICA. The project ⁠is made possible at Brownby generous support from Teiger Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Etant donnés, a program of Villa Albertine, and Institut français. It is made possible at the ICA with generous support from: VCU Foundation Ashley Kistler

Institute for Contemporary Art at The Markel Center, 601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States

VCUarts Lecture Series: Lily Cox-Richard (M.F.A. ’08)

Disquiet in the Sand: an artist talk with Lily Cox-RichardWorking in a wide variety of materials, Lily Cox-Richard (M.F.A.’08 and associate professor with Sculpture + Extended Media) makes sculpture and installations that engage with histories of labor, natural resource......More

Disquiet in the Sand: an artist talk with Lily Cox-RichardWorking in a wide variety of materials, Lily Cox-Richard (M.F.A.’08 and associate professor with Sculpture + Extended Media) makes sculpture and installations that engage with histories of labor, natural resources, the politics of viewership, and paths of resistance. In this talk, LCR will contextualize her current ICA exhibition, “Disquiet in the Sand,” within the framework of her ongoing creative practice. When:  Tuesday, Feb. 3, Doors open 5 p.m., lecture 5:30-6:30 p.m.Where: ICA at VCU Markel Center, 601 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220 And online This is a hybrid eventRegister to participate virtually.Register to participate in person. Questions? Contact Carla Averill, VCUarts Special Events Coordinator, at [email protected]. Learn more about the VCUarts Lecture Series.

Institute for Contemporary Art at The Markel Center, 601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States

Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Music Concert Series: Apollo's Fire Baroque Orchestra

As part of VCU Music’s Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concert Series, Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra will perform on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 3:00pm in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for Performing Arts. A GRAMMY®-winning orchestra, Apollo’s Fi......More

As part of VCU Music’s Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concert Series, Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra will perform on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 3:00pm in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for Performing Arts. A GRAMMY®-winning orchestra, Apollo’s Fire has performed sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall, the BBC Proms, the Royal Theatre of Madrid, the Tanglewood Festival, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and more! But what Apollo’s Fire musicians love most is bringing world-class performances to your doorstep. Apollo’s Fire is dedicated to reviving the true spirit of baroque performances – not only with period instruments, but with the emotional impact the music was meant to convey. This performance will be conducted by Apollo’s Fire Assistant Artistic Director Alan Choo. Choo, whose performances have been described by The Straits Times Singapore as “an intoxicating brew of poetry and dare-devilry,” appears on the global stage as a leading soloist, chamber musician and historical specialist. He made his solo debut with Apollo’s Fire at the Tanglewood and Ravinia Music Festivals in 2017, and currently serves as Concertmaster and Assistant Artistic Director for the ensemble. Read more about Apollo’s Fire. Season subscriptions are currently on sale for $100.00 featuring Apollo’s Fire, plus four additional concerts that can be viewed here. Single concert tickets are available for $35.00.

W. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284, United States

Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Music Concert Series: Dover Quartet

As part of VCU Music’s Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concert Series, Dover Quartet will perform on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 3:00pm in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for Performing Arts. Named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100......More

As part of VCU Music’s Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concert Series, Dover Quartet will perform on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 3:00pm in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for Performing Arts. Named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years by BBC Music Magazine and “the next Guarneri Quartet” by the Chicago Tribune, the two-time GRAMMY-nominated Dover Quartet is one of the world’s most in-demand chamber ensembles. The group’s awards include a stunning sweep of all prizes at the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition, grand and first prizes at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, and prizes at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition. Its honors include the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, Chamber Music America’s Cleveland Quartet Award, and Lincoln Center’s Hunt Family Award. The Quartet’s personnel includes: Joel Link, violin Bryan Lee, violin Julianne Lee, viola and Camden Shaw, cello. Read more about Dover Quartet. Season subscriptions are currently on sale for $100.00 featuring Dover Quartet, plus four additional concerts that can be viewed here. Single concert tickets are available for $35.00.

W. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284, United States

VCUarts Lecture Series: Qatar Faculty, TBA

Save the date for a VCUarts Lecture Series event featuring a faculty member from our Qatar campus. Speaker to be announced soon. Learn more about the VCUarts Lecture Series.

Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Music Concert Series: Juliette Tacchino, soprano

As part of VCU Music’s Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concert Series, soprano Juliette Tacchino will perform on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 3:00pm in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for Performing Arts. Described by Le Devoir as “an outstanding actres......More

As part of VCU Music’s Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concert Series, soprano Juliette Tacchino will perform on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 3:00pm in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the Singleton Center for Performing Arts. Described by Le Devoir as “an outstanding actress with impeccable projection and style,” soprano Juliette Tacchino is distinguished by her artistic refinement and captivating stage presence. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2024 Sumi Jo International Singing Competition and laureate of the 2024 French Riviera Masters Competition at the Opéra de Nice Côte d’Azur, she is rapidly establishing a flourishing international career. In the 2025–2026 season, Juliette will perform the role of Delphine Garnier in Les Demoiselles de Rochefort at the prestigious Théâtre Lido 2 Paris and will embark on a U.S. tour featuring solo recitals and chamber music concerts. Read more about Juliette Tacchino. Season subscriptions are currently on sale for $100.00 featuring soprano Juliette Tacchino, plus four additional concerts that can be viewed here. Single concert tickets are available for $35.00.

W. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284, United States

VCUarts Lecture Series: Jeannine Diego

Save the date for a VCUarts Lecture Series event featuring Fashion Design + Merchandising faculty member Jeannine Diego. More details will be available soon. Learn more about the VCUarts Lecture Series.

Institute for Contemporary Art at The Markel Center, 601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23220, United States