Dear Branch Friends and Supporters, From the day its doors opened in 1919, the Branch House’s design and location positioned it to play an important and evolving role in the cultural life of Richmond. In 2014, when we were renamed The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, the museum’s mission became one of advancing design in all its forms. The Branch House design and location enhance our museum’s ability to provide public explorations of the impact that design can have in areas from ceramics to furniture and clothing to urban development and architecture. Thus, I am excited to tell you about our opportunity in March to participate in the NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) Annual Meeting which will be happening all over Richmond. The Branch’s first exploration of ceramic design will be highlighted by the exhibition - “Inner Lives: Cinerary Jars by Julian Stair and Rob Barnard”.   While the cinerary jars themselves are utilitarian in form and function, those beautiful jars simultaneously speak to us about the inner life of human beings and tie us to those inner lives on many levels. Their beautiful art connects us to our own human experience in a way that is profound. Details are below for this exhibition which will be with us March 3 – 29. And this month we say goodbye to our beautiful Charles M. Robinson exhibition. Please come see it before it leaves us! We are interested in touring the exhibition. If you have any ideas of locations that might like to host it, do not hesitate to reach out to our Director of Operations John Christiansen – 804-655-6106.

Penelope C. Fletcher Executive Director

Michael Spencer Gallery Talk Thursday, February 13th 6:00 p.m. Michael Spencer is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington as well as the Chair of the department. His classes and interests have provided him the opportunity to delve into University of Mary Washington history as well as local Fredericksburg, Virginia building history including the documentation of historic agricultural structures within the Rappahannock River valley.

Spencer's talk will focus on institutions of higher learning in Virginia, among them Mary Washington University, College of William and Mary, James Madison University, Radford University, and Virginia State University. Tickets: $20 $10 for members Purchase Tickets

If you would like to join our run team to help bring awareness to the cause please donate $25 and receive your free red microfiber run team shirt. Not a runner/walker? Donate $25 and get your free cotton, Branch Blue, Branch Supporter shirt! Join Today Runners, don’t forget to register for Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k!  CLICK HERE  to be taken to the registration page. designVA runs in the Monument Avenue 10k Saturday, March 28th Race begins: 8:30 a.m. Our designVA group is assembling a run team for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K to help bring awareness to our efforts to support The Branch Museum. Located in a 100 year old English Tudor style mansion at 2501 Monument Avenue, our Branch is in much need of repair and continuous maintenance that can only funded through donations. designVA is an organization for young professionals who share a passion for architecture and design. The goal of designVA is to foster educational, outreach, and networking opportunities for young professionals and advocates throughout our community; while continuing its support of The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design.  Membership is open to individuals ages 21 to 40 of all backgrounds and skills.

Submit a nomination for the 2020 Virginia by Design Awards by February 15th at 5:00 p.m.

Historic Richmond 2020 Lecture Series Modern Living in Historic Houses Thursday, February 27th Lecture 6:00-7:00 p.m. Reception to follow 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Join Historic Richmond at The Branch for a colorful panel discussion exploring how to design for today’s modern lifestyles while respecting the charm and authentic features of historic houses. We will see the evolution of Benjamin Moore’s Colonial Williamsburg paint line (those colors are not what we once thought!), that you can furnish your 19th century house with furniture from other periods and contexts (who wants to head to bed with a candlestick and bed warmer?), and that the design of a modern framed glass box addition can create an intriguing and complementary juxtaposition of old and new, even in our most historic of neighborhoods.

Panelists: Kirsten Travers Moffitt , Conservator & Materials Analyst, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Janie Molster , Owner and Design Principal, Janie Molster Designs Neely Barnwell Dykshorn , Photography Producer and Stylist, Freelance Tickets: $20 per person

Upcoming Calendar of Events Michael Spencer Gallery Talk Thursday February 13th (6:00 p.m.) designMORNING with DesignVA Thursday February 13th (7:00 a.m.) Location TBD Deadline for VAxDesign Award nominations extended Saturday February 15th (5:00 p.m.) “Inner Lives,”exhibition by ceramics artists Julian Stair and Rob Barnard March 3rd-29th “Cub Creek: Twenty Years Together” March 24th-29th

The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design 2501 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 (804) 655-6055 frontdesk@branchmuseum.org www.branchmuseum.org

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