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But since admission is by donation only ($5 suggested, but you can pay what you wish or nothing at all), feel free to visit for a cheap weekend getaway...just don’t expect to see much.
Now that I've warned you, let me give you my pre-renovation impressions.
Having spent five years in New York City, and spent a lot of time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we had pretty high expectations for art museums. So when we first moved here we were pleasantly surprised by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts collection...and it’s free.
My favorite part is actually quite small. It’s a special room dedicated to their collection of stunning Faberge eggs and other artifacts by Peter Carl Faberge (it’s one of the largest permanent collections of Faberge eggs and artifacts outside Russia).
Most were items created by the Faberge company and sold to the Romanov family and other Russian royalty. Composed by gold and other precious metals, brilliant cloisonné, and precious stones, the picture frames, cigarette cases, umbrella handles, and other objets de luxe are breathtaking and meticulously crafted.
The highlight is four Imperial Easter eggs, which were created by Faberge specifically for the last Russian czar, Nicholas II, to give to his wife, Czarina Alexandra, at Easter. All Imperial Easter eggs come on a stand and have a surprise: for example, the Red Cross Egg, so-called because it is white with a red cross to symbolize the international Red Cross, opens up to reveal miniature frames with portraits of the Czarina, two of his daughters, and other family members in nursing uniforms. (Luckily, the Faberge room is still open during the renovations.)
While the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Egyptian and Asian collection is small, they have a good collection of European and American oils and watercolors, as well as a modern art section (I’m not a modern art fan, so I usually skip this section). As of March 2008, the modern section was closed and they only had a two-room silver collection, a two-room medieval art collection, and maybe six rooms of European and American paintings open.
So if you decide to visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, just be aware that you'll only see a small portion of their collection...and plan to come back in 2010.
The VMFA Cafe
Off the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' marbled foyer, they have a nice gift shop, and a rather elegant little café featuring sandwiches, light entrees, espressos, and desserts. It’s gourmet-type fare—like a Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tart with Mixed Greens. Entrees are $11-$15. (They also have grilled cheese and PBJ for $6.50 and $3.75 respectively.)
Not having tried the food, I can’t say if it’s worth it. They have signs posted that say “no outside food allowed,” but I brought a bagged lunch one weekday and sat there with the kids and they didn’t kick us out. If it’s a slow time with lots of empty tables, you could try it and see if they kick you out.
If they do and it’s a nice day, try eating outside on the terrace. There’s plenty of room for kids to run around and adults will enjoy looking at the outside artwork.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Café is open for entrees Weds – Sun from 11 am – 2:30 pm. Desserts are beverages are served from 11 am – 4 pm.
Admission, Hours, and Parking
As I mentioned, admission to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is by suggested donation, which makes it a perfect spot for a family vacation getaway.
Visiting exhibitions, which have included paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec, selections from the private collection of Queen Elizabeth II, and the current exhibit on Impressionistic watercolors are generally $8 per adult.
They now have a parking garage located about a block away that they share with the adjoining Virginia Historical Society. The fee is $3 per car. Or you could try finding street parking. For other things to do and see in Richmond, click here.
Location: 2800 Grove Avenue, 804-367-0844
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