Hilton Richmond Downtown
(501 E Broad st. richmond, va)

October 22nd-24th, 2026

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We are now accepting conference proposals through June 15, 2026. We encourage you to submit and share your expertise!

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VAEA Conference Keynote Speaker 

sandy williams iv

Website

Keynote Speaker: Sandy Williams IV
Sandy Williams IV is an interdisciplinary artist, filmmaker, and educator whose work explores time, memory, and the emotional landscapes that shape our shared human experience. Blending public art, performance, and storytelling, his practice centers on love, empathy, and the power of communal connection.
Williams describes his work as a form of care, inspired by the deep sense of belonging he experienced through his family. Like a meaningful meal, his art holds people and their stories, creating space for reflection, healing, and collective catharsis.
He holds a BA from University of Virginia and an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Art at University of Richmond.
A recipient of the prestigious Joan Mitchell Fellowship, as well as fellowships from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the New York Community Trust, Williams has exhibited and performed widely across the United States and internationally. His work has been featured in major publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and BBC.
Through his innovative practice and powerful storytelling, Sandy Williams IV invites audiences to consider how art can hold memory, build empathy, and bring people together in meaningful and lasting ways.

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