In The Building

Aerial Photography of VCU's Past

May 3, 2021 until August 31, 2021

The standard brochure cover photo of many American campuses is from a central quad on a bright spring day. For a school integrated tightly into the fabric of a city like VCU is on its MCV Campus, space is too precious for large expanses of turf to symbolize the institution, and from the mid-20th century, school leaders looked skyward for signature shots. Many of these images made their way into VCU Libraries Special Collections and Archives. This exhibit features a selection of 20 annotated and enhanced aerial photographs.

Health Sciences Library, First-floor Gallery

Founding Monsters

May 10, 2021 until August 31, 2021

Founding Monsters is a comic book that tells the story of the Founding Fathers and their obsession with prehistoric megafauna, especially mastodons and giant ground sloths. This exhibit presents all 20 pages in poster-size format so that visitors can both read the comic and immerse themselves in the detail of the artwork.

James Branch Cabell Library, First-floor Gallery

Digital Exhibits

James Branch Cabell: Man of Letters and Libraries

James Branch Cabell (1879–1958) was a Richmond author who enjoyed great success during his lifetime and helped establish the contemporary fantasy genre. This exhibit explores his life and work.

James Branch Cabell: Man of Letters and Libraries



Adèle Clark, Artist and Activist

Adèle Clark (1882-1983), artist and art educator, championed the rights of women and promoted the arts in Virginia. Clark was a founding member of the Virginia women's suffrage movement and longtime president of the Virginia League of Women Voters. She was a progressive reformer, lobbyist and lifelong advocate for racial cooperation.

Adèle Clark, Artist and Activist



Believing in Words: The Larry Levis Papers

Respected poet Larry Levis (1946–1996) taught at VCU at the time of his death. His work continues to influence poets. This exhibit explores his writing process, examining multiple drafts of the same poem.

Believing in Words: The Larry Levis Papers



Medical Artifacts Collection

These highlights from the Medical Artifacts Collection housed in Special Collections and Archives at the Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences include surgical instruments, uniforms and medical furniture related to the history of Virginia health care.

Medical Artifacts Collection



Edward H. Peeples Prince Edward County (Va.) Public Schools Collection

This collection includes photographs and other materials from longtime VCU professor and supporter Edward H. Peeples, Jr., Ph.D. (1935–2019), documenting the racially motivated closing of schools in Prince Edward County, Va.

Edward H. Peeples Prince Edward County (Va.) Public Schools Collection



Remembering Theresa Pollak: An Exhibition on the Founder of VCUarts

Theresa Pollak (1899–2002) was a Richmond-born artist and educator instrumental in the founding of the VCU School of the Arts. This exhibit explores her life and work and her impact on VCU history.

Remembering Theresa Pollak: An Exhibition on the Founder of VCUarts

Past Exhibits