Ongoing
Preschool Palette Classes
Guided Woodland Hikes
Last Sunday of each month, 2 pm
Conducted by Virginia Master Naturalists, these informative walks cover a mile of trails in both woodlands and fields and also touch on the historic ruins of Belmont’s past. Please wear sturdy footwear. Meet outside the Visitor Center.
Free
Public Programs
Sunday, January 27 @ 2 pm
Free Film Screening: ‘A Plastic Ocean’
When he discovers the world’s oceans brimming with plastic waste, a documentary filmmaker investigates the pollution’s environmental impacts. Please join us for a free screening of the powerful documentary film ‘A Plastic Ocean.’ Dr. Andrew Dolby, University of Mary Washington Biology Professor, will lead a discussion after the screening.
Tuesday, February 19, 7:30 pm
Great Lives Lecture: Gari Melchers by Joanna Catron Assistant Director and Curator
UMW Dodd Auditorium
Free
Saturday, February 23, 7 pm
Concert
UMW Chamber Music Festival
Studio and Pavilion
A program featuring the University of Mary Washington Chamber Music Trio, Brass Quintet, Flute Quartet and Jazz Combo under the direction of Doug Gately. Highlights will include works by Handel, Loeillett, Telemann, Granados, Bach, Puccini, Arnold, Haydn, jazz standards and contemporary works incorporating Swing, Latin, and Funk styles.
Free with reservation – contact Meghan Pcsolyar
Sunday, February 24, 2 pm
Concert
UMW Music Festival
Studio and Pavilion
A program featuring the United States Air Force String Trio under the direction of Bryce Bunner performing Beethoven’s String Trios. The UMW Jazz Combo under the direction of Doug Gately will perform a selection of jazz standards.
Free with reservation -contact Meghan Pcsolyar
Sunday, March 3, 2 pm and 4:30 pm
Film
Loving Vincent
The award-winning film, Loving Vincent (94 Mins, 2017), four years in production, is the world’s first fully oil-painted film. The film was shot with live actors and images of van Gogh masterpieces literally painted over, frame by frame, with a total of 65,000 frames on over 1000 canvases, to produce a mesmerizing account of the artist’s last years.
Please note there are no tickets or reservations for this screening. It’s first come first served, limited seating, and doors will open 30 minutes before each screening.
Free; contact Meghan Pcsolyar with questions.
Sunday, March 24, 2pm
Concert
UMW Flue and Guitar Ensemble
Pavilion
Free
Saturday, April 13, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Conference
7th Annual Living in the Garden Symposium: Wild About Natives
Pavilion
Registration Required
Sunday, April 14, 2-4 pm
Family Event
8th Annual Beeping Egg Hunt
This free event provides an opportunity for visually impaired and blind children, along with their families, to participate in an audible egg hunt. Bring your basket and join us for an egg hunt, miniature animal petting zoo, refreshments, sensory crafts and activities. FLYER
Families are asked to RSVP to Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540-654-1851.
Wednesday & Thursday, April 17-18
Travel
Members trip to Philadelphia, PA
Friends of Belmont will travel north this spring to Philadelphia, City of
Brotherly Love, to visit The Impressionist’s Eye at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Day two is reserved for exploring Longwood Gardens– “where garden design, horticulture, education, and the arts interplay to inspire and enlighten.” The trip is open to Friends of Belmont, guests, and GMHS staff. For details contact Meghan Pcsolyar. Spots are limited and reservations are due by March 11. BROCHURE
Sunday, April 28, 1-5 pm
Tours
Spring Open House
The public is invited to tour the house, studio and galleries of the famous American painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932). Stroll the restored gardens and woodland trails, visit the Fannie Roots House on the property to hear about the latest restoration efforts, join a Preschool Palette class in the kitchen classroom and explore the museum shop.
Free. Contact Buffy Knappenberger at 540-654-1843
Thursday, May 23, 6-8 pm
Art After Hours
Enjoy an evening of live music on the lawn featuring Cabin Creek, Fredericksburg’s favorite modern folk & old-time string band. Take a stroll through the spring gardens, tour the art galleries and enjoy local food trucks, beer and wine (tickets $5 with ID). Free with reservation – contact Meghan Pcsolyar.
Sunday, August 25, 2 pm
Lecture
A Glorious and Beautiful Show, by Julie DeLancey, UMW Professor of Art
This richly-illustrated talk will explore the remarkable visual culture of Renaissance Venice, including paintings by artists such as Titian and Tintoretto, but also the hand-blown glass and rich textiles for which the city is still known. We will also explore, briefly, the threats to that rich heritage due to flooding in the lagoon city
Free
Thursday, September 12, 10:30 am
Picturing New Connections: An art program for people with memory loss and their caregivers
Limited Seating; $5 per person. To register, contact Regional Director Lori H. Myers at lmyers@alz.org or 540-228-1502.
For program information, contact education and communications manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at mdolby@umw.edu or 540-654-1851.
Sunday, September 21, 10 am – 3 pm
Stafford County Heritage Day at Gari Melchers Home and Studio
Free; Contact University Museums Director Scott Harris with questions.
Thursday, September 26, 6-8 pm
Art After Hours
Enjoy an evening of live music on the lawn featuring a local band. Take a stroll through the gardens and grounds, tour the art galleries and enjoy local food trucks, beer and wine.
Free with reservation – contact Meghan Pcsolyar.
October 25 – December 6
Spotlight Exhibition
Included with museum admission
Sunday, October 27, 2 pm
Lecture
Musical Borrowings: Tribute or Plagiarism? by UMW Professor Brooks Kuykendall
“Good composers borrow; great composers steal.” Music is always about other music—sometimes too much so? Handel’s reputation is blighted because of his “indebtedness” to other composers. Sometimes an allusion to other music is integral to a new artistic statement; sometimes it’s just funny. Kuykendall will look at parodies, tributes, and highway robbery in music from Handel to Pharrell, via Puccini and Peter Sellers.
Free, Pavilion
November 29 – January 2, 2020
Holiday Tours
Home for the Holidays
Enjoy the house and studio decorated for the holidays in the spirit and style of American painter Gari Melchers and his talented artist-wife Corinne. Included with museum admission.
Contact Buffy Knappenberger at 540-654-1843
Wednesday, December 4, 6 – 8 pm
Special Member Event
Friends of Belmont Holiday Reception
Join us for our annual holiday evening fete for members and their guests. Visit the house decorated in the spirit and style of American painter Gari Melchers and his talented artist-wife Corinne, and visit the studio and pavilion for refreshments and the festive sounds of live music.
Free to members and their guests. Reservations required – contact Meghan Pcsolyar.
To renew or join the Friends call Tracy DeBernard at 540 654-1123.
