Virginia Museum of Fine Arts showcases major Mary Lovelace O'Neal exhibition with 20 lampblack works unseen since 1979.

On April 18, 2026, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will unveil 'Mary Lovelace O'Neal: Blacker Than a Hundred Midnights Down in a Cypress Swamp.' This exhibition, which is free to the public, showcases twenty significant lampblack creations by the African American abstract artist, marking the first time these works have been displayed together in 47 years. The exhibition highlights a crucial decade in O'Neal's artistic journey, which commenced in the 1940s. Her work is intricately linked to her activism, rooted in her experiences as a student at Howard University. VMFA Director and CEO Alex Nyerges expressed that the museum aims to encourage community dialogue through art, hoping that visitors will engage with the artwork and reflect on their humanity. The exhibition will be available until August 2, 2026.