Virginia’s sole design museum hopes to ‘shift perspectives’
The Branch Museum, located inside a Tudor-Revival style house built in 1919. Photo by Bri Stevens.
Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor
The Branch Museum of Design, the only design museum in Virginia, aims to change the perspective of those who enter. It is inside the Branch family home, a Tudor-Revival style house built in 1919.
The museum has a new catchphrase: “shifting your perspective,” according to museum marketing director Katie Hoak.
“It’s the idea of shifting perspectives and moving things forward that you know, both in the city of Richmond, but just like in their social spheres as well,” Hoak said.
The Branch charges $10 for admission, a decision made in June after federal cuts to keep the museum in order, according to Emily King, the museum’s marketing and developmental manager.
“We are sort of looking to supplement grants lost or potential grants lost that we can’t apply to any longer with other costs and other admission fees, unfortunately,” King said. “We don’t love that that has become like a barrier for some people, but we try to be as inclusive as possible.”
One way the museum fundraises to keep the museum in order is through year-round events, including the “Mad Hatter Auction” and “Live at the Branch.”
The “Mad Hatter Auction” is an art auction and party that gathers art from local and national artists, according to Hoak. Attendees are encouraged to wear their most creative hats while bidding in silent and live auctions. The proceeds help restore the home.
“The really fun aspect of it, taking a cue from the mad hatter, is we invite all of the guests to create their most over-the-top, creative zany hats to wear,” Hoak said. “And it’s really amazing the creativity that people have in their bodies.”
“Live at the Branch” is a mini concert series where musicians perform at a bay window in the home.
“It’s done in our main gallery, which was literally built to host parties for the Branch family back in their day,” Hoak said.
The museum was also home to the “Ruined” and “Refined: The Design of Vespa” exhibitions up until Aug. 31. “The Ruined” exhibition was curated by John Ryland, owner of Classified Moto, a custom motorcycle shop. It focused on different builds from the motorcycle shop, including a motorcycle designed for “The Walking Dead,” according to Hoak.
“I really love that we have the ability to allow people to sit on ‘The Walking Dead’ bike and take a photo,” Hoak said. “Like, how often do you actually get to touch something that’s in a museum and be a part of it in that way?”
Starting Sept. 10, the museum will show its new exhibition, “Confluence.” Only showing work from artist Kenny Nguyen, the exhibition will feature a new form of tapestries, according to the Branch’s executive director, Kristen Cavallo.
“Kenny’s work is a new take on tapestries in a way; it’s also a sculpture, and it’s also a deconstructed painting,” Cavallo said. “And I love the fact that it can not be easily contained by any one descriptor.”
Nguyen will also create pieces specifically for the exhibition, according to Cavallo.
“I’m so happy that he’s chosen to bring that work to the Branch, and he’s even doing some bespoke pieces just for us inspired by the architecture of our building and the experience of the Branch family,” Cavallo said.
Cavallo said she hopes visitors leave inspired, curious and proud.
“Museums connect people to art and to artists, and we connect people to creativity, but that’s not the end goal for me,” Cavallo said. “I think when we do that consistently and well, we create community, and we try to encourage togetherness in a world that increasingly feels like it’s on fire.”
