RVA's Special Exhibits: Frida, Beyond the Myth

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has a brand new exhibition -- Frida: Beyond the Myth!

Frida: Beyond the Myth features over 60 paintings, drawings, prints and photographs that are rarely seen outside of Mexico. You can see Frida Kahlo's famous self-portraits and rate images of her captured by her close friends. With both English and Spanish text, you and your family can learn more about Kahlo's early life, career, and her contribution to the art world. In addition to the special exhibit, you can also experience and learn more about Mexican heritage in two, free family-friendly events: one on April 5 and one on September 13.

FridaFest! is on Saturday, April 5 at The VMFA. This special family event celebrates the opening day of Frida: Beyond the Myth. Between 1pm and 7pm, you and your family can learn about Kahlo's artistic genius, Mexican Heritage and love of life in a special event that includes live music, art, food and more. This is a free, event - no registration required!

Frida: Beyond the Myth is on display at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts from April 5 and September 28, 2025.

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Everything YOU need to know about visiting The VMFA with kids:

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the US that is open 365 days a year with free general admission! And it's one of my go-to free places to visit with kids in Richmond. You can find a variety of free things to do like a gallery hunt or visiting for the Jazz Cafe, and you can also participate in early childhood, elementary, and teen art programs and camps.

Here are some of the things I do when I visit the VMFA with kids: The Sculpture Garden, Special Exhibit: The Samurai Armor, Free Jazz Concerts, and Early Childhood Art Classes.

The museum has over 50,000 works of art from around the world and from all time periods. You will find fine art, sculptures, photographs, and more. With permanent, rotating and special exhibits, the VMFA makes art accessible to everyone who lives in The Commonwealth!

Inside the museum you will find 100 galleries, including an art education center for children and families. Outside, you can enjoy the sculpture garden. It has plenty of space to run around and explore, and it's lovely for picnics.

The VMFA's educators created a bunch of resources and activities for families to use when visiting the museum. I usually print off a gallery hunt or activity before we visit too!

Where is the VMFA?

The VMFA is located in The Museum District of the City of Richmond.

Its address is: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220.

Where is the best place to park?

The VMFA has its own parking deck. Parking costs $6 per vehicle.

You can also find street parking around the museum. This parking is free, and I usually grab a spot as soon as I see it!

When is the museum open?

The VMFA is open 365 days a year from 10am-5pm on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and from 10am-9pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

How much does it cost to visit?

The museum is free to visit every day! Only rotating exhibits need a ticket, and children 6 & younger get free admission to all special exhibitions.

Frida: Beyond the Myth costs $20 per adult, $16 for seniors (65+), and $10 for youth (ages 7-17). Children 6 and under can visit the exhibit for free.

Museums for All participants can purchase tickets for $2 each. Show your EBT card at the main desk to get your tickets.

As a participant of Blue Star Museums, the VMFA also offers free tickets to active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and their immediate families.

Frida: Beyond the Myth for Kids

Through the exhibit and the entire museum, you will notice child-appropriate, open-ended questions next to certain images. These questions help visitors of all ages connect to the artist's work. You can also visit The VMFA's website for extension activities like gallery guides and scavenger hunts!

In Kahlo's exhibit specifically, you will find questions about self-portraits. Some questions to ask your young viewer are:

(1) If your portrait was being taken, what would you wear?

(2) Would you include something special, like Kahlo who would wear Mexican jewelry?

(3) What would your expression be like?

You will also notice windows and doors that mimic house features, reflecting Frida Kahlo's experience in La Casa Azul. I like the inclusion of this symbolism inside the exhibit because children will pick up on it too.

The highlight of the exhibit for families and children is the hands-on drawing experience at the end of the exhibit. After exploring Kahlo's fine art, you get to make some yourself. You will find two large desks where you can imitate Kahlo's famous still-life works and self-portraits. At the still-life desk, you can look at examples of Kahlo's work and at the self-portrait desk, you can see yourself in a wide mirror.

When your masterpiece is finished, you can hang it up on display, too!

Additional programs for families, teens or young children:

Saturday, April 5, 2025: Between 1-7pm, families can celebrate Kahlo's artistic genius and Mexican heritage at the free community day, FridaFest! This special event will have food, music, art and more.

Sunday, April 6, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, May 4, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, May 4, 2025: Teen Stylin' 2025 is an in-person, authentic runway event from 1-4pm. 41 Virginia students in grades 6 through 12 created garmets for runaway fitting the theme of "Authenticity." This year's theme is inspired by Frida: Beyond the Myth.

Saturday, June 7, 2025: This Family Day celebrates the Art of Africa: Mali. Visit the museum between 11am and 3 pm for a free, cultural event with performances, art activities, and entertainment. This event is open to all ages, but activities are geared towards children ages 3-12 years old. This is a free event; no tickets required.

Sunday, June 8, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, July 6, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, August 3, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, September 7, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Saturday, September 13, 2025: This Family Day celebrates the Art of Latin America: Mexico. Visit the museum between 11am and 3 pm for a free, cultural event with performances, art activities, and entertainment. This event is open to all ages, but activities are geared towards children ages 3-12 years old. This is a free event; no tickets required.

Which areas of the museum are best for kids?

I absolutely love visiting the art education center and the sculpture garden with kids.

The art education center hosts early childhood, elementary and teen art classes and camps. This area of the museum also has hands-on exhibits for children to learn about art. You can play with magnetic shapes on the wall, jump on water-color stepping stones, and touch a variety of textures that are used in the exhibits around the museum. This area is little-kid friendly.

The sculpture garden is stroller-friendly and it has a lot of green space. My children love running up the stairs, rolling down the hills, and visiting all the sculptures.

I also like to print off a gallery hunt or guide before we visit! My kids really enjoy exploring the museum and learning about the different sculptures and art pieces through out the property. You can also make your own art work that connects with various exhibits at home, too.

Can I bring food and water into the museum?

Yes! You can bring in snacks and water to the museum, and there are designated eating areas in the museums. The museum also has three restaurants on property: The Best Cafe, Amuse, and Floris.

The Best Cafe is a causal eatery with a coffee shop, and you can order items like pizza, sandwiches and hot dogs.

Floris at The VMFA serves afternoon tea from Saturday to Wednesday. Their signature tea service has a rotating, seasonal menu inspired by The VMFA’s collections. Check here for my review of Southern Afternoon Tea.

Is the museum stroller friendly?

Yes! The entire museum is ADA accessible. You will find both stairs and elevators around the property.

You can find more things to do with kids on @thewestendmom 's Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok !