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Friends of Decorative Arts Lecture: VMFA Collection

Friends  Decorative Arts Lecture

Alex Nyerges, Director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond, will introduce his museum’s world-renowned collection of decorative arts, with a special focus on Art Nouveau and Art Deco objects. The VMFA is one of our county’s leading museums, with 33,000 works in its comprehensive collection.

Mr. Nyerges has been the VMFA’s Director for 10 years and led a four-year expansion project which added more than 165,000 square feet to the previous 380,000 square feet. For the grand reopening in 2010, he brought Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso Paris to Richmond. He serves on the boards of many professional, educational, and civic organizations, including the executive committee of the French American Museum Exchange (FRAME). That initiative fosters collaboration between museums in 13 French and 13 North American cities. He was elected Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Republic of France in 2014 in appreciation of his many efforts to encourage cultural exchange.

Photography is a special interest. He has curated the traveling exhibitions Edward Weston: A Photographer’s Love of Life and In Praise of Nature: Ansel Adams and Photographers of the American West. He has also organized two major traveling exhibitions of art and artifacts from regional museums throughout China.

Before joining the VMFA, Mr. Nyerges was Director and CEO of the Dayton Art Institute (1992-2006). He has also been Director of the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson and the DeLand Museum of Art in Florida. He holds his BA, with a double major in American civilization and anthropology/archaeology, and his MA in museum studies, both from George Washington University.


Friends of Decorative Arts

The decorative arts—fine furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and glass—are all around us and in the Museum. FODA expands understanding of their variety and beauty. Plus, you will make new friends at the meetings. Annual dues are $20 in addition to Museum membership.

FODA programs are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. during season. Non-FODA members can attend for $5, plus MFA admission. Carolyn Nygren is the volunteer coordinator.

Event Details


Date
January 12, 2016

Time
2–3 pm

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