The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University offers more than a changing slate of cutting-edge exhibitions. It also collaborates with artists, experts and community organizers to produce some of Richmond’s most vibrant and enriching events throughout the year. This fall ushers in the return of First Fridays at the ICA at VCU’s Markel Center, the launch of a chef residency and a slate of performances, artist talks, screenings and other programs that highlight the ICA’s mission as a community gathering place to listen, create and make art public.
This fall’s events include:
Federico Cuatlacuatl Artist Talk
Wednesday, Oct. 1 | 5 p.m. | Free
The ICA, in partnership with VCU’s School of the Arts and the VCU Humanities Research Center, presents Cuatlacuatl, who will discuss how his practice is directly informed and profoundly shaped by his lived experiences as part of a community from Cholula, Mexico, that was forced by the Mexican government to self-displace in the early 1990s. Through short experimental films, sculptural works and multimedia installations, his practice recalls generational traumas and the history of Mexico’s violence toward Indigenous communities.
Lily Cox-Richard Artist Talk
Friday, Oct. 3 | 5 p.m. cash bar, 6 p.m. talk | Free
Cox-Richard will discuss the practice and process behind “Disquiet in the Sand,” her ICA exhibition that invites viewers to reflect and seek insight through a constellation of colorful glass scrying mirrors cast from impressions in the sand at human-transformed landscapes. This talk will take place during First Friday, when Richmond galleries and businesses stay open late on the first Friday of the month. ICA First Fridays through December will feature evening gallery hours, special programming, a food truck, music from WVCW DJs and more.
ICA Chef Residency Brunches
Sundays: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Feb. 1 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
At the ICA’s Abby Moore Cafe, Cambodian fare is reimagined as October kicks off the first in a series of counter-service brunches from the institute’s inaugural chef-in-residence, Santana Hem of the Khmer-inspired culinary project Hem and Her. The ICA Chef Residency is a new program that celebrates Richmond’s vibrant food scene and supports independent culinary artists by providing a space to explore new ideas and reach new audiences. Hem’s residency will conclude with a special ticketed dinner in March.
Julien Creuzet with Ana Pi: “Your source at the feet of the green peaks”
Friday, Oct. 10 | 5 p.m. cash bar, 6 p.m. performance | Free
In a one-time performance, French-Caribbean artist Creuzet and Brazilian choreographer Pi will perform an embodied iteration of Creuzet’s ICA exhibition that reimagines his French Pavilion from the 60th Venice Biennale, featuring Afro-diasporic gestures, poetic voices and theoretical readings. To invite further exploration of the themes in Creuzet’s exhibition and the ICA exhibition “Ayida,” the ICA has also asked Hard Light Cinema to present a series of four film screenings in October and November that contextualize and deepen understandings of Black Atlantic aesthetics and experience.
Community Podcast Day
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 1-5 p.m. | Free
Now in its second year, Community Podcast Day (formerly Student Podcast Day) is an offshoot of the popular RESONATE Podcast Festival from the VPM + ICA Community Media Center. For beginners, students and the podcast-curious, the day of free presentations from producers offers insight into what it takes to make it in podcasting. The following evening, RESONATE attendees and the public are invited to “In The Dark Presents: Perspectives,” a special ICA First Fridays audio performance that highlights how memory, identity, imagination and language shape vastly different experiences of the world.
Shockoe Institute Presents
Thursday, Nov. 20 | 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. performance | Free
In anticipation of the Shockoe Institute’s forthcoming exhibit – “Expanding Freedom” opens in 2026 at Richmond’s Main Street Station – the ICA is partnering with the organization for an evening of musical performance. Shockoe Institute Presents is a series that explores the enduring impact of racial slavery through discussions, programs, performances and more. Musicians will be announced in October.
Additional events can be found in the ICA’s online calendar, including a Halloween-inspired evening of independent horror films, a business workshop for creatives, author talks, community meetups and more. Thanks to community support, event entrance is free unless otherwise specified. Online RSVP may be requested.
The ICA’s exhibitions are free and open to the public Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Abby Moore Cafe is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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