‘Inlight’ returns this weekend to illuminate RVA’s night sky over two nights at the VMFA

by | Nov 9, 2015 | ART

For the very first time, the annual Inlight Richmond Exhibition, held in collaboration with 1708 Gallery and<
For the very first time, the annual Inlight Richmond Exhibition, held in collaboration with 1708 Gallery and VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) will light up the RVA night sky for two nights instead of one.

The free and public event was established in 2008, but since then, it has bloomed into a Richmond tradition marking, for some, the beginning of Fall.


Brian Davis, Sightline (2011), InLight 2011, photo by Terry Brown

This year’s event will be held at the VMFA campus grounds in the Museum District, spanning the E.Claiborne and Lora Robins sculpture gardens as well as the surrounding areas.

The Inlight Richmond Exhibition will kick off with a community lantern parade and extend beyond with, of course, artists’ exhibitions featuring musical performances, videos, sculptures, interactive projects, and artist conversations.

With almost every project being illuminated, the Inlight Richmond Exhibition will turn the VMFA campus into a whole new world with lights bouncing off the walls, sidewalks, trees, and everywhere in between, which will no doubt be a transformative experience for the hallowed museum.


Medeology Collective: Alessandro Imperato, Jim Gladman, and Kelly McClung, Bridge of Signs, InLight 2013, photo by Terry Brown

“We felt like, with Inlight and its wide audience, it was a great chance to push for having two nights,” Organizer Emily Smith said. “There will be a chance for people to wake up Saturday morning and be able to make plans for that night to visit the exhibit.”

With an extra day and a handful of new artists exhibiting their insanely crafted projects, the Inlight Richmond exhibition is aiming for a much larger turnout this time around in hopes of allowing more people to experience such an enlightening, artistic, and magical event that, in the past, was limited to one evening.


Annica Cuppetelli and Cristobal Mendoza, Nervous Structure, InLight 2011, photo by Terry Brown

Thanks to a great amount of support from the community, Inlight Richmond, through their Indiegogo Campaign, has raised enough money to unveil to the community the opportunity to view the Inlight Exhibition for longer than just their usual one-night-event.

“Last year at Monroe Park, 9000 people enjoyed the exhibition. And if you think about it, if each person donated a dollar or even five…the crowdsource model allows so much to be gained from the community,” Smith said.

With that being said, InLight Richmond is a FREE and public exhibition and continues to take in support with IndieGoGo! Make sure to support your local community and exhibition by making a donation!

Be sure to come out to one or even both nights of the Inlight Richmond Exhibition at the VMFA November 13th and 14th for a transformed and illuminated experience.

If you’re interested in volunteering for the event make sure to sign-up here

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




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