04/14/2026
Meet the MFA Candidate: Sara Willa đ§
Sara Willa is a sculptor, performer, and experimental dancemaker. Through work with found objects, biomaterials, and performance practices, she explores embodiment, affect, material politics, and their entanglements. For her candidacy work, she will be presenting fluid mechanics: exhaust system, a durational performance and installation in the Hidden galleries at The Anderson. Performances will take place on April 17th, 5-6pm, and April 24th, 12-1pm, approx.
Willa has been supported by residencies at La Caldera (Barcelona), PLUTO (Valencia), Théùtre de Vanves (Paris), Centro Huarte (Pamplona), and The Liminal Gallery (Valencia), among others, and was a participant in the 2025 edition of the Postnatural Independent Program at the Institute for Postnatural Studies in Madrid. She has recently performed and/or exhibited at NEUFNEUF Festival (Toulouse), ChaĂz Estudio (Madrid), PLUTO (Valencia), and Centro del Carmen de Cultura ContemporĂĄnea (Valencia). She graduated with honors in Studio Art and Dance at Pomona College (CA) and completed significant coursework in Contemporary Dance Performance and Choreography at the Valencia Superior Dance Conservatory prior to pursuing her MFA in Sculpture and Extended Media at VCU.
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Sara will be participating in the upcoming 2026 MFA Candidacy Exhibition, âLate Breakingâ, opening at The Anderson gallery on April 17th at 5 PM! On view until April 25th, âLate Breakingâ will feature the work of 21 first-year graduates across VCUarts!
To learn more about this upcoming exhibition, follow the link in our bio! đ
Headshot photo credit: Nacho Errando for PLUTO
Video footage: Will Barker