Richmond museum to host Juneteenth celebration, showcase Black artistry

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Celebrate Juneteenth while enjoying two new exhibits that highlight local Black photography and art at the Branch Museum of Design in Richmond.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, the Branch Museum of Design will hold its Juneteenth Community Celebration, which is free and open to all. During this event, two brand-new exhibitions will open: "(re)Framing Protest Now" and "Echoes of Us."

According to the museum, "(re)Framing Protest Now" was developed in partnership with two Richmond Free Press photojournalists, Regina Boone and Sandra Sellars.

"The exhibition shows how creative expression and design fueled the work of activists, artists and organizers who mobilized during the summer of 2020 to collectively support and amplify the Black Lives Matter movement," the museum said. "Graffiti, graphic design and spontaneous public art became both tools of resistance and acts of reflection — capturing the pain of a city while offering hope and healing."

"Echoes of Us" is described as a "dynamic group exhibition" curated by Kasidi Jordan. It features the work of more than 15 Virginia-based Black artists.

"Through a wide range of media, the featured works explore the fluid and ever-evolving nature of Black identity — shaped by lived experience, ancestral memory and future possibilities," the museum said.

In addition to these new exhibits, attendees will be able to enjoy live music provided by DJ Infinite Peace, an open bar and light snacks. There will also be a book signing for "(re)Framing Protest (Now)" and a pop-up print shop where you can purchase work made by "Echoes of Us" artists.

Umama, described as a "monumental art installation honoring the resilience of Black women from Richmond and Cape Town," will also be available for viewing in partnership with ART 180.

Finally, the Richmond Public Library's Memory Lab will also be on-site collecting and archiving personal stories.

The Branch Museum of Design is located at 2501 Monument Ave. in Richmond. Free parking is available in the First Baptist Church's lot adjacent to the museum, which can be accessed from Park Avenue and Robinson Street.