UVA Alumna Artist is Big into Miniature Artworks
Jill Orlov is a cave-diver of sorts. “I go what I call ‘spelunking in junkyards,’” Orlov, a graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, said. “I collect interesting things, just odds and ends.” Those odds and ends make their way into Orlov’s miniature sculptures – often miniature recreations of indoor spaces like game rooms, libraries or an artist’s studio. Her work has appeared in exhibitions at venues including the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Miniatures in Tucson, Arizona.
UVA Students and Local Kids Connect Through Art at The Fralin
Connection often comes from unexpected places. At the University of Virginia, one of those places is The Fralin Museum of Art. The Fralin is known for its exhibitions, but once a week during the spring semester, its galleries become a space for both UVA students and elementary school students to experience, learn and engage with various works of art.
UVA Faculty and Students Perform in Hungary
Led by Program Director Daniel Sender, UVA students and faculty enjoyed a week of immersive cultural activities in Hungary during Spring Break. In addition to historical sightseeing tours, the group engaged with folk music and dance, opera, and Hungarian classical music.
UVA Students Build Tiny Worlds to Tell Big Stories
When Matthew Rusten first read the play “A Number” aloud with his University of Virginia classmates, each voicing a different character, the 2022 British drama’s sparse and fractured language stuck with him. He decided his scenic model set should feel the same way. The fourth-year architecture major is enrolled in Scenic Design, a course that challenges students to transform a script into a fully realized physical world. Over the semester, students complete three increasingly complex projects, taking them through script analysis, visual research, sketching, rendering and building small-scale scenic models.
Finding Her Voice: Priyanka Shetty’s MFA Journey from UVA to the World Stage
When Priyanka Shetty arrived in Charlottesville from India in 2016, she came with a clear goal: to launch her career as an actor. She enrolled in the University of Virginia’s MFA in Acting program seeking strong foundational training that would support a life in theater, film and television. What she discovered, however, was something much bigger than that. Working alongside her peers and visiting artists and exploring a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom, Shetty began to imagine herself not only as an actor, but as a creator of original theatrical works.
The Fralin Museum of Art Announces Fall 2026 Exhibitions
U.Va. Drama Brings ‘Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812’ to the Stage
From Thursday through April 3, the Ruth Caplin Theatre will travel back in time to 19th century Russia for the debut of the University drama department’s production of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” Decorative sets, dance interludes and passionate ballads make up the spirited narrative and energetic dance sequences of this immersive musical experience. The production features undergraduate, graduate and alumni performers with a wide range of talents and experience, all of whom have dedicated themselves to months of intense rehearsals in preparation for opening night.
The Indie Short Film Festival Returns to Highlight Independent Filmmakers
Kicking off Friday, the Indie Short Film Festival is back in full-swing for its third year in Charlottesville, cementing the Indie Short Film Festival as a Charlottesville staple. The festival will run from Friday through Sunday with showings of around 130 short films in venues along the Downtown Mall, as well as panels, a cinematography workshop and a launch party for the festival featuring live musical performances.
The Fralin Explores Tea Making as a Form of Global Connection with Teaware Exhibition
Drinking tea is one of the most common practices in the world, with Americans alone consuming 3.9 billion gallons in 2021. With instant tea bags and cafe matcha lattes becoming more prevalent around the world, it can be easy to forget the cultural significance that tea drinking has in the ease and convenience that these products provide. The Fralin Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, entitled “Crafted for Tea: Connecting Cultures with Teaware and Traditions,” highlights the skill, artistry and history behind the making of this common drink.