FANCY: Exhibition Opening & Celebration

On May 10, 2025, the Valentine will open it's first major Costume & Textiles exhibition in five years. FANCY: Costumes, Characters and the Richmond Masque will run from May 10, 2025 through January 25, 2026 in the Nathalie L. Klaus and Reynolds Family galleries. Drawing on more than 100 years of elaborate and creative costumes, this exhibition explores the many ways Richmonders have used clothing to disguise themselves for frivolity, celebration and performance. From the dazzling splendor of 19th-century fancy dress and masquerade balls to the shadowed streets on Halloween, Richmond has used parties, festivals and the stage to indulge in moments of costumed fantasy.

In honor of this important new exhibition, join the Valentine for FANCY, an opening party and celebration! Whether you attend in costume or your most fanciful cocktail attire, it’s your opportunity to dazzle and embody a fun Richmond persona! Pull out your most unique costume jewelry, festive masks and dazzling headpieces or that spiffy suit you’ve been dying to wear. Find fancy dress a little tricky? Don’t worry, we’ll have a few accessories available for you to don when you arrive. This is an evening to have fun and embody the most outlandish version of yourself!

FANCY: Opening Party & Celebration

Saturday, May 10, 2025

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

at The Valentine

with drinks and heavy hors d'oeurves

Valet Parking available through our lot at 407 N. 10th Street

• One (1) ticket to FANCY

• Listing on the invitation (if purchased before February 9, 2025)

• Acknowledgment on promotional materials and signage on the night of the event

• Four (4) tickets to FANCY with an optional reserved VIP cocktail table

• Listing on the invitation (if purchased before February 9, 2025)

• Acknowledgment on promotional materials and signage on the night of the event

• Early valet service and admission from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour sneak peek

• Six (6) tickets to FANCY with an optional reserved VIP table for six

• Listing on the invitation (if purchased before February 9, 2025)

• Acknowledgment on both the exhibition and opening event marketing materials

• Early valet service and admission from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour sneak peek

• Twelve (12) tickets to FANCY with two optional reserved tables for six

• Listing on the invitation (if purchased before February 9, 2025)

• Acknowledgment on both the exhibition and opening event marketing materials

• Early valet service and admission from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour sneak peek

• Includes name recognition on an exhibit label for the duration of FANCY: Costumes, Characters

and the Richmond Masque

•Listing on the invitation (if purchased before February 9, 2025)

• Acknowledgment on promotional materials and signage on the night of FANCY

• Either two (2) tickets to FANCY or a private tour by the exhibition curator Nichol Gabor

• Early valet service and admission from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. for a cocktail hour sneak peek

Sponsors to date include: Reilly and Julia Monroe, J.D. and Elizabeth Wright, Susan Klaus, James Klaus, Philip Klaus and Sandra Mihaloff, Michael Kronander & John Moon, Tom and Wendy Rosenthal, Bill Martin and Anna Powers, Joseph Papa and JS Fauquet, Pam Royal and C.N. Jenkins, Cara and Bart Farinholt, Lawson Waring and Byron Wampler, Ted and Katie Ukrop, Robert and Mary Nell Dolan, Carole Weinstein, Elaine Ryan, Dr. McGurl and Mrs. Gluck, Lorna and Randolph Wyckoff, Marcia and Harry Thalhimer

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Valentine, 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond, United States