USA Today Plugs Exhibit at VMFA

While the powers that be continue to bicker over Richmond's performing arts scene (specifically, its physical presence, i.e. the proposed and currently stalled Performing Arts Center), Richmond's fine arts reputation seems quietly becoming -- dare I say it? -- world-class. One piece of evidence: Friday's USA Today included a full page devoted to the summer's hottest exhibits. In other words, see them while you have the chance. Listed among exhibits at MoMA, the National Gallery of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Getty was "Capturing Beauty: American Impressionist and Realist Paintings from the McGlothlin Collection" at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The VMFA mention was top of the fold with an accompanying photo of a John Singer Sargent painting and touted the collection as "one of the largest holdings of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings still in private hands." The exhibit runs through Sept. 25. But just to vent a little personal frustration: If the VMFA is truly to become the world-class museum it has all the potential to be, it needs to be open more than five days a week for six hours. These other museums I mentioned are open six or seven days a week with some extended weeknight hours. VMFA's hours always seem to be shrinking thanks to state budget cuts. Perhaps with the museum's expansion we will see an expansion of hours. But I sure wish the state would pony up some more resources to ensure its rightful place in the upper echelon of art museums.