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Re-Think Design: Art of the Card Workshop with Studio Two Three

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Re-Think Design: Art of the Card Workshop with Studio Two Three

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Join us at The Branch for a festive holiday greeting card printmaking workshop! Drop by the museum between 1-3 PM to print the winning design from our Holiday Card Contest and add your personal touch to make it uniquely yours. Come create some holiday cheer with us!

This event is free but registration is encouraged.

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Re-Think Design: Mending Walls Bus Tour with Hamilton Glass 

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Re-Think Design: Mending Walls Bus Tour with Hamilton Glass 

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Join us for a one-of-a-kind bus and walking mural tour experience with painter and public artist,
Hamilton Glass!

Embark on a captivating two-hour bus and walking mural tour through the vibrant heart of Richmond guided by, Hamilton Glass, founder of the Mending Walls RVA project. Discover five to seven stunning murals, each a powerful testament to social justice and community unity. Immerse yourself in the stories behind these collaborative artworks, created in 2020 by the visionary Hamilton Glass and local artists of different backgrounds, races, and experiences. These murals showcase art that inspires empathy, understanding, and positive change in our community.

Check-in at The Branch by 9:45 am

Bus leaves promptly at 10 am and returns at 12 pm

Approx. 1 mile of walking | Walking attire recommended

Limited Availability

About Hamilton

Hamilton Glass is a painter and public artist living in Richmond, Virginia. His work focuses around using public art to build up communities and create spaces in which the community members feel they have a stake in their surroundings. To him, it is vital that he uses his work in ways that serve the public and engage people through art. He believes in the power of art, which can hold communities together, and increase equity around access to the arts.

In 2020, Hamilton Glass created a project entitled Mending Walls RVA. This initiative brought together over 30 artists with the goal of establishing empathy and connection following the death of George Floyd. This extraordinary project was captured in an Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary. Each piece featured in the project has been captured in a book entitled Mending Walls: The Conversation & Coffee Table Book and includes QR codes that link to podcasts to appreciate the perspectives of each artist involved in the project. To learn more about Mending Walls, please visit www.mendingwallsrva.com.

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Book Signing & Movie Screening: Re-Think Design with Hamilton Glass

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Book Signing & Movie Screening: Re-Think Design with Hamilton Glass

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Join The Branch for an exclusive screening of Emmy-Award winning PBS Documentary, Mending Walls, a book signing, and a Q&A session with artist Hamilton Glass!

Mending Walls: The Documentary - Artist Hamilton Glass challenges 30 artists from different cultural backgrounds to collaborate on 16 murals in Richmond, VA about race, status and experiences. The film shows how the artists got to know each other through difficult conversations, how working together ultimately opened their eyes and hearts to the differences between all of us, and how these murals became a symbol of hope.

Pre-Order Mending Walls: The Conversations & Coffee Table Book and pick it up at the event.

Doors open at 5pm

Book signing from 5-6pm

Documentary Screening begins at 6pm with Q&A following.

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Haunted Open House Volunteer and Vendor Management 2024

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Haunted Open House Volunteer and Vendor Management 2024

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Haunted Open House 2024 Volunteer Information 

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Lecture: Re-Think Design The Ascendancy of Apparel with Deidra Arrington  

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Lecture: Re-Think Design The Ascendancy of Apparel with Deidra Arrington  

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Join us for a lecture and presentation with Deidra Arrington and VCUarts fashion seniors who will speak to their design ethos.

About Deidra

Deidra Arrington is the Chair of the Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising in the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. She joined the VCUarts fashion faculty in 2004. Her areas of research include the luxury market, innovative teaching methods, and historical fashion icons. She is the co-author of Fashionomics, and a chapter contributor to numerous publications. Arrington’s research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals including Fashion, Style & Popular Culture, Film, Fashion, & Consumption, and Catwalk: The Journal of Fashion, Beauty, and Style.

Prior to her VCUarts academic appointment, Arrington worked in the fashion industry as an apparel buyer and Divisional Merchandise Manager. She possesses extensive knowledge of the fashion industry, particularly retail buying and merchandising.

Deidra Arrington earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Jacksonville State University and a MBA at Virginia Commonwealth University.

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Lecture: Re-Think Design - Designing Sacred Spaces with Burt Pinnock

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Lecture: Re-Think Design - Designing Sacred Spaces with Burt Pinnock

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About Burt

Burt Pinnock’s passion for design has created award-winning work time and time again, from historic sites and cultural institutions to forward-thinking companies and foundations. He previously served as Chair of the Commonwealth of Virginia Art & Architectural Review Board and Vice Chair of the Richmond 300 Advisory Board, and is a co-founder of Storefront for Community Design, amongst many other notable board and committee engagements. For Burt, architecture isn’t a job; it’s his personal contribution to the wellbeing and vitality of our communities.

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Lecture: Re-Think Design Urban Planning with Maritza Mercado Pechin

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Lecture: Re-Think Design Urban Planning with Maritza Mercado Pechin

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The Re-Think Design series will re-introduce design to Richmond, a city teeming with creative design energy. Guest curator, Kelly O’Keefe describes design as “the discipline of aligning form and function — creativity and science, to improve our lives, our communities, and the world around us.” O’Keefe goes on to state that “design fuses creativity with disciplines like engineering, construction, and manufacturing as it strives to transform the human experience. We design clothing and cars, posters and packaging, tools, and toys, furnishing and factories, hotels, and housing — even neighborhoods, cities, and ecosystems.”

About Maritza

Maritza Mercado Pechin leads Innovative Finance and Delivery Technical Assistance for the Build America Bureau at the U.S. Department of Transportation. She focuses on educating and expanding the capacity of public entities to develop transportation projects with an innovative financing approach. She oversees three technical assistance grant programs, strategic partnerships, project workshops, and emerging projects agreements.

Maritza was previously a Deputy Planning Director with the City of Richmond, Virginia where she worked across City departments to lead planning and redevelopment efforts, such as the Diamond District redevelopment, the City Center redevelopment, the US DOT-funded Reconnect Jackson Ward project, the HUD-funded Jackson Ward Community Plan, and the Mellon Foundation-funded Shockoe Heritage Campus. Maritza was the lead author of Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth, the city’s national award-winning master plan. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, a consultant at AECOM, and the development manager at Fulton Hill Properties, a Richmond-based infill developer. Maritza graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Maritza and her family live in Battery Park in Richmond’s Northside. She grew up in San Juan, PR and Newton, MA and has lived in Richmond for nearly 13 years.

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Join us on Saturday, July 20th at 10AM for Coffee + Convo with Jolinda Anderson, founder of Shapes & Colors. Shapes & Colors assists clients by providing unique branding, graphic design, websites, and consistent marketing support.

Jolinda will answer the question: can a design agency work without the pants-on-fire mentality?

Conversation topics include:

Intentional agency model at Shapes & Colors

Mindfulness and a commitment to balance

4-day work weeks

Attracting kind and patient clients

Setting boundaries

Determining if your design practice could use a recalibration

You’ll leave with some tools, tips and best practices - as well as a few more connections with people who share the mindset that a design business can leave its designers and founder with energy for other things in their lives.

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Lecture: Re-Think Design The Art of Iconography with Sagi Haviv

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Lecture: Re-Think Design The Art of Iconography with Sagi Haviv

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Join us for the launch of our

Re-Think Design Series!

featuring an introduction by guest curator,

Kelly O'Keefe

Lecture begins at 6:00pm with reception following

Sagi Haviv is a partner and designer at Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, the firm responsible for many of the most famous logos of all time, including National Geographic, Chase Bank, NBC, Conservation International, Harvard University Press, State Farm, Mobil Oil, PBS, Showtime Networks, NYU, Animal Planet, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, and most recently the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Warner Bros. The firm designed the identities for both the U.S. Bicentennial (1976) and the just-released 250th anniversary of the United States (2026).

Sagi joined the firm in 2003 after graduating from The Cooper Union School of Art. A go-to expert on the process of effective logo design, Sagi has contributed to the New York Times, Bloomberg, Fast Company, Creative Review, It’s Nice That, Design Week, designboom, PBS, NBC’s Meet The Press, and SkillShare. He speaks about logo design around the world, including for TEDx, the AIGA, the HOW Design Conference, the Brand New Conference, Princeton University, the Onassis Foundation, the American Advertising Federation, and Columbia Business School, amongst many others. He teaches Visual Identity Design at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Sagi is coauthor of Identify: Basic Principles of Identity Design in the Iconic Trademarks of Chermayeff & Geismar (Print Publishers, 2011) and Identity: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv (Standards Manual, May, 2018).

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Lecture: Byrd Park, the Carillon, and the Canals by Design with Kathryn Whittington 

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Lecture: Byrd Park, the Carillon, and the Canals by Design with Kathryn Whittington 

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Join us at The Branch on Thursday, May 2nd, at 6 PM for another captivating lecture with master tour guide, Kathryn Whittington.

About the Event

Take a virtual walk from the reservoir to the James River to discuss the design and development of Byrd Park.  Learn about the beginning of Richmond’s Urban Forestry program, discover the architectural gems in the park and in the  three residential neighborhoods,  climb to the top of the Carillon’s belfry, sit at the Carillon’s keyboard, explore the Gothic Revival pump house, walk the canal towpath to the Washington Arch, and learn the important relationship between the canals and the park.

About the Speaker

A master guide since the 1980’s,  Kathryn  has created and conducted numerous tours and programs for  Maymont, the Historic Richmond Foundation, and the Valentine Museum.  In 1995,  she completed the National Register Report for Shockoe Hill Cemetery which resulted in that property’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  In addition,  she has presented programs for the Shepherd’s Center Open University, the Osher Institute,  Life Long Learning Institute,  and numerous community organizations.

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Lecture: Brunelleschi and Pazzi Chapel with Howard Risatti 

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Lecture: Brunelleschi and Pazzi Chapel with Howard Risatti 

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Join us at The Branch on Thursday, April 4th, at 6 PM for a lecture with art historians Howard Risatti and Donald Schrader.

This lecture features the Pazzi Chapel in Florence, Italy. The historic chapel's commission was awarded to Brunelleschi but its construction wasn't completed until after his death. Did the final construction and design of this influential 15th century structure meet Brunelleschi’s wishes? Find out the answer to this question and more information by joining us for this exciting lecture.

About the Lecturers

Howard Risatti is Emeritus Professor of Contemporary Art and Critical Theory in the Department of Art History at Virginia Commonwealth University where he was Chair of the Departments of Art History and of Craft/Material Studies from 2001-05.

Donald Schrader received his MA and PhD degrees in Italian Renaissance Art from the University of Virginia. He taught Art History at Virginia Commonwealth University and at the University of Mary Washington. In addition, he has lectured at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts program for 30 years.

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Workshop: Design it Yourself Hat Workshop with My Alternative Hats

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Workshop: Design it Yourself Hat Workshop with My Alternative Hats

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About the Event

Join Michelle Sandler from My Alternative Hats at The Branch on Sunday, March 10th for a hat making workshop in prepration for the museum's second annual Mad Hatter Garden Party and Design Auction.

Participants will assemble a hat using found or shared materials.

You don't have to attend this year's garden party to participate! Need to clean out your craft room or even your junk drawer? Bring what you find to the workshop to material share with other participants.

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Panel Discussion: Arthur Ashe Boulevard - Design Matters Series

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Panel Discussion: Arthur Ashe Boulevard - Design Matters Series

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February 22nd - Chapter V: Community by Design – Why Design Matters Discussion

April 11th - Chapter I & II: Legacy by Design & Inspiration by Design – Why Design Matters Discussion

May 9th - Chapter III: History by Design – Why Design Matters Discussion

June 20th - CHAPTER IV: Persuasion by Design – Why Design Matters Discussion

We’re thrilled to collaborate with The Branch Museum of Architecture & Design in commemorating the 5th anniversary of Arthur Ashe Boulevard. Join us as we unfold the narrative, showcasing the pivotal role design played at every stage leading up to the grand unveiling.

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Workshop: Reimagining Media with Blythe King

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Workshop: Reimagining Media with Blythe King

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About the Event

Join artist Blythe King at The Branch on Saturday, February 17th for a mixed media workshop in conjunction with the current exhibition on display, Women’s Rights are Human Rights.

Advertisements and media outlets have historically portrayed women in a negative light. This workshop will allow individuals to deconstruct vintage and modern advertisements and transform them into empowering works of art.

Participants will learn the process of transferring images to create layered collage pieces.

About the Artist

Blythe King leads a diversified life in the arts. She works as an educator, mentor, collaborator, program director, and practicing artist. Blythe’s collage work has exhibited regularly in Virginia through the Richmond Public Library, Quirk, Eric Schindler Gallery, and the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. She has also been showcased by The Griffin Museum of Photography in Massachusetts and the Hillyer in Washington DC. Most recently, she was awarded a 2022-23 Artist Fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. In 2021, Blythe launched Open Space Education in response to the growing need for equitable access to nature, art education, and alternative modes of learning for Richmond youth. Blythe’s academic background combines an MA in Buddhism and Art from the University of Colorado, with undergraduate studies in Japanese religion and art at the University of Richmond. She currently serves as Vice President on the board of Richmond Zen.

*Limited amount of tickets available

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About the Event

Investigating Teen Relationships:

Uncovering the Rights of a Healthy Relationship

We are inviting high schoolers to join us on Saturday, February 3rd from 1pm to 3pm for a peer-led workshop that helps define healthy relationships and consent. Participants will create their own zines (mini magazines), while discussing healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationship behaviors and identify them in practice. Participants will also learn what a healthy consent practice looks like.

This workshop is a part of Teen Violence Awareness Month in conjunction with the current exhibition on display at The Branch in partnership with YWCA and Empower RVA Teens.

About Empower RVA Teens

Empower RVA Teens is a youth-led group where young people come together in an organized space to collaborate with and empower one another. They aim to educate peers on the topics of healthy relationships, teen dating violence, and consent in the community. Learn more here.

This workshop is intended to be a safe space for teens to share freely. Any accompanying adults can view the Women's Rights exhibition or explore the museum during the workshop.

This workshop is free! Due to limited seating, registration is required.

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About the Event

Join us on January 25th, at 6 PM for panel discussion with leading women design professionals in conjunction with the current exhibition on display at The Branch, Women's Rights are Human Rights.

During this discussion, the panelists will share their varied personal workplace experiences, barriers they face, and resources to institute change and empower women in design professions.

Meet the Moderator

Jamie Ivey: Jamie received her industrial engineering degree from Virginia Tech and worked as an IT consultant in New York and DC. Unfulfilled creatively, she went back to school to receive her interior design degree, and along with her industrial designer husband Trip Ivey, moved to southern California to work in luxury hospitality design. Trip and Jamie moved back to Virginia in 2015 and started Ivey Design Group. As creative director, Jamie leads the interiors team, working on high-end homes and boutique commercial projects around Virginia and throughout the US.

Meet the Panelists

Alana Robinson: Alana Robinson is a multidisciplinary creative and art director who combines creativity, art, and culture to solve creative challenges. She has collaborated with industry giants like Google, ESPN, Bed Bath and Beyond and Dominion Energy. In addition, Alana is dedicated to giving back to her community, volunteering 50 hours annually to support local nonprofits and small businesses with her creative prowess. Currently, she is based in Richmond, VA, working at Arts and Letters Creative Co.

Anne Darby: Anne is an urban planner with over a decade and a half of experience in the public and private sectors.  She is currently managing and growing a planning department for an engineering firm and working on a wide range of planning projects in localities across Virginia and North Carolina, from comprehensive plans, zoning ordinance updates, public participation and entitlement processes, and feasibility studies. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from VCU and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Crystal Miller: Crystal is the mother to one beautiful daughter. She loves art, wine, yoga, and prefers city living where plantings are strategic, and necessities are in walking distance. Crystal was born to be an architect and finds it deeply fulfilling that after 20 years of practice she now gets to spend her days educating students about the things she loves most: creating meaningful spaces and improving humanity through the built environment.

Gayatri Choudhary: Gayatri Choudhary, founder of GC Interiors, grew up in Southern California and has lived on the East Coast for about 25 years. Her interest in interior design started around age 6 when her family moved into their first home. Gayatri’s personal aesthetic focuses around a modern, chic design that embraces comfort, warmth, and ease. She is influenced by living both on the East and West coasts as well as her love for beautiful fabrics, stunning wallpaper, and bespoke furnishings. Having completed projects all over the country including Atlanta, DC, and Arkansas, she currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, 2 children, and dog. Her primary goal is providing warm, inviting refined spaces to clients who are busy but want a beautifully decorated house to come home to and entertain. She delivers a stylishly designed space that exceeds their vision and truly reflects them and how they want to live.

Please explore the exhibition prior to this event.

Doors will open at 5PM

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About the Event

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination features posters created by men and women that acknowledge the vital role women play locally, nationally, and internationally in protecting and promoting human rights. These posters challenge religious and cultural norms and patriarchal attitudes that subordinate, stigmatize, or restrict women from achieving their fullest potential. They argue for eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering them, and achieving equality while fostering human dignity.

In this presentation, Resnick will examine the issues explored in this exhibition, namely gender-based Inequality, violence against women, and discrimination against women through selected posters and poster series.

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Resnick is a Professor Emerita of Graphic Design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston. She is a passionate design curator who has organized seven comprehensive exhibitions, including the current traveling exhibition Women’s Rights Are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence and Discrimination. Her own posters have been included in the Mexican, Bolivian, and Warsaw Biennials and many invitational exhibitions. Her publications include The Social Design Reader, Bloomsbury Visual Arts (2019); Developing Citizen Designers, Bloomsbury Academic (2016); Design for Communication: Conceptual Graphic Design Basics, John Wiley & Sons Publishers (2003) and Graphic Design: A Problem-Solving Approach to Visual Communication, Prentice-Hall Publications (1984). She is currently completing a new book of illustrated essays on 20th-century women graphic designers for Bloomsbury to be published in 2025.

This talk is hosted via Zoom. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer.

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About the Event

Join us on Saturday, December 16th at 10AM for Coffee + Conversations with Sallie Plumley. Sallie will discuss her journey into the world of custom woodworking (as a woman in a male dominated industry), her past and recent design projects, material acquisitions and selections, and where to start if you're interested in pursuing your design passion in woodworking, or a related field.

Enjoy delicious coffee or a mimosa (21+), light breakfast foods, and design-centered discussion.

About Sallie Plumley

Sallie Plumley is a custom woodworker in Richmond, VA who has owned and operated Sallie Plumley Studio full-time for the last seven years. She enjoys exploring different woodworking processes including the use of rotten materials within furniture. She believes all aspects of business should function on the backbone of integrity and aims to go about business decisions with that in mind.

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JOIN US

At The Branch for a screening of the documentary Miss Representation on November 16th at 6pm!

Miss Representation is written and directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom and exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America.

The documentary screening is a program in conjunction with the current exhibition on view at The Branch, Women's Rights are Human Rights.

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Community Print Day: Women's Rights are Human Rights 

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Community Print Day: Women's Rights are Human Rights 

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About the Event:

Create your very own print using stencils and guidance from Studio Two Three! 2501 Monument Ave. | 4-6PM

Prints are inspired by the current exhibition on view at The Branch: Women's Rights are Human Rights

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Haunted Open House Volunteer Coordination

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Haunted Open House Volunteer Coordination

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I assisted with the coordination of volunteers and vendors.

About the Event:

It's not safe to be out on Friday the 13th! Join The Branch on Thursday the 12th for a spine-chilling, spooktacular open house. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Already have tickets? Pre-purchase drink and snack tickets here.

The Branch's favorite thereminist, Caroline Scruggs, will be performing chilling tunes, and Haunts of Richmond will be offering a Richmond-Themed ghost tour around The Branch (for an additional cost).

Get your tarot read by Irish Wake Tarot, see curios from Rest in Pieces and shop Momma Luna. Snacks, beer, wine, booze, and kombucha courtesy of Come 'bucha! are available for purchase.

Dress up in your best costume! We will be hosting a costume contest with some terrifyingly good prizes. Anyone is welcome to compete.

Event Schedule:

Doors open: 5:30pm

Caroline Scruggs Theremin performance: 6pm-7pm

Haunts of Richmond Ghost Tour: 7pm-8pm

Costume Contest winners announced:

8:15pm

Doors close: 8:30pm

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Coffee + Conversation with Jessie Gemmer

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Coffee + Conversation with Jessie Gemmer

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About the Event

Join us on Saturday, October 7th, at 10 AM for Coffee + Conversation with Jessie Gemmer. Jessie will be discussing building your spatial vocabulary.

We live every moment of our modern lives in a constructed world designed by people we never meet.  The spaces we live, work, play, love, grow and grieve in affect us - physically and mentally - but within a shroud of mystery that cloaks the world of architecture. In order to understand how the built environment affects our existence we must first identify what it's made out of and then how it makes us feel.  Please join us for a conversation about the basic building blocks of the physical world, as we work together to understand the magic powers of architecture and design.

Enjoy delicious coffee or a mimosa (21+), light breakfast foods, and design-centered discussion.

About Jessie Gemmer
Jessie Gemmer is a registered architect, VCU professor, and the founder of Acme Architecture. Jessie believes that design is the language we use to give physical form to the ephemeral. Her guiding principle, in the words of Barbara Bestor, is that “everyone should experience strange beauty every day.”

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Moderator: (Left)

Andrew Davies

Partner and Creative Director at Paragon Design Group & Adjunct Typography Professor at VCU

Presenters: (Left to Right)

Samira Creel

Design & Research Tools Strategy & Operations Lead at Capital One

Gena Johnson

Founder of Gena J. Co & Interior Stylist

Jerome Legions

President of Carver Area Civic Improvement League & President of The Moore Street School Foundation

Katie MacDonald & Kyle Schumann

Co-Founders of After Architecture & Directors of the Before Building Laboratory at UVA

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About the Event

Join us on Saturday, September 9th at 10 AM for a hands-on 3D printer demonstration with Chris and Jon Caswell, co-owners of 3D Central.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore prototypes and ask local 3D printing pros their "need to know" questions. They can also expect to learn about printing logistics and see previous 3D Central projects.

3D printing is the bridge between the digital and physical worlds of creation. Join us to learn how this exciting technology can be utilized in unexpected ways.

There will be a surprise 3D-printed gift given to each attendee!

About 3D Central

Originally a retail storefront on Main Street, the Caswell Brothers now run their 3D Print Studio out of Scott's Addition offering on demand manufacturing, custom fabrication, and rapid prototyping services to a wide variety of businesses, schools, and individuals. They also offer 3D Printer repairs, service and training especially for our local educators.

Christopher's fascination with 3D Printing goes all the way back to a childhood Popular Science magazine and a lifelong love of Star Trek. With a background in Computer Science, he bought one of the first consumer printers when they became available in 2011. As he started to sell his replications, the printer eventually paid for itself and then a second and third. A few years later he moved to Richmond to start the business that eventually became 3D Central.

Jonathan moved to Richmond to help create 3D Central as it transitioned from a retail store to full service design studio. Drawing from his experience in Outdoor Leadership as well as CNC production, his love of logistics has helped to turn 3D Central into the powerful creative and productive engine that it is today.

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Join us on August 17th, at 6 PM for panel discussion with leading design professionals in conjunction with The Branch’s current exhibition on display, Modeling A Vision: Design, Technology, and Impact.

During this discussion, each panelist will share their connection with Virginia Tech’s Center for Design Research and themes surrounding experiential learning, evolving technology, and future design practices.

Meet the Moderator

Paul Battaglia

Meet the Panelists

Jim Bassett

Kelly Callahan

Helene Combs Dreiling

Tsai Lu Liu

Burt Pinnock

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Join us on August 10th, at 6 PM for Accessibility in Design: Design and Development For All Audiences, a presentation in partnership with Owen Design Company.

In this thought-provoking presentation, we will delve into the often-overlooked realm of accessibility, exploring its significance in creating inclusive experiences for individuals with disabilities.

Through real-world examples and practical insights, we aim to inspire designers, stakeholders, and the wider public to prioritize accessibility from the start and ensure equal opportunities for all. A panel discussion will follow. This event will be ASL interpreted.

Meet the Speakers

Judi Crenshaw, M.S., APR
Chair, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, VCU

Ash McMillan
Digital Communications Manager/Storyteller, ACLU of Virginia

Harry Blackwood
Senior Production Designer, Owen Design Company

Moderator: Meredith Mason
Copywriter and Public Relations

ASL Interpreters: Emily Haynes McGee & Weston Broache

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Coffee + Conversation with Shannon Leahy

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Coffee + Conversation with Shannon Leahy

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About the Event

Please join us for our next Coffee + Conversation with Jessie Gemmer, Owner and Founder of Acme Architecture, on September 23rd. The conversation will be on building spatial vocabulary.

Join us on Saturday, August 5 th, at 10 AM for Coffee + Conversation with Shannon Leahy. Shannon will be discussing growing in your design career without losing your soul or sacrificing your values.

Grow your design career: Wrangling influence, ambiguity, and autonomy...without losing yourself!

“Leadership.” “Leveling up.” It’s not always clear what these terms mean, or how they might manifest in your career. Or, it might feel like you have to change who you are or what you value to fit into some stereotypical mold of a “design leader.”

To help you chart your path, we’ll explore three key skill areas to grow in: establishing influence, navigating ambiguity, and working autonomously. And, we'll talk how to build these skills while honoring what makes you, you!

Also expect some real talk about the roles privilege, power dynamics, sponsors, and how luck plays into your career journey, too.

Enjoy delicious coffee or a mimosa, light breakfast foods, and design-centered discussion.

About Shannon Leahy

Shannon has worked at the intersection of words, strategy, design, and people for more than 15 years. Over her career, she’s held roles like web copywriter, SEO specialist, instructional designer, content strategist, and senior UX manager. Currently, she is a senior content design manager at Adobe.

Shannon calls Richmond, Virginia home, and organizes meetups for the local UX content community. When she’s not exclaiming about error messages, you can find her snuggling up for movie night with her family and two dogs. Shannon’s favorite neutral is leopard print. Her superpower is asking questions…lots of questions.

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Exhibition Strategies: Final Group Project - It's Lit Exhibition

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Exhibition Strategies: Final Group Project - It's Lit Exhibition

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Call for Presenters: Submission Form

Are you up for a challenge? PechaKucha RVA is returning to The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design on Thursday, June 8th, at 6 PM.

The theme: “Impactful Design in Everyday Life.” The ideal candidate will be a part of Richmond’s artistic and design communities, and present how their designs (or design in general) have impacted the broader community.

Impact: verb - “Have a strong effect on someone or something.”

Selected participants will have 6 minutes and 40 seconds to present 20 slides lasting 20 seconds each, relating to the event’s theme. Please fill out the submission form below if you’d like to be one of ten presenters at this exciting in-person event.

To be considered, please ensure to provide a short personal bio and a headshot. Submissions will close on Monday, May 22nd, and the chosen applicants will be contacted by Wednesday, May 24th. If you have any additional questions, please contact The Branch Museum’s Program Manager, Kristen Christian, at kristenc@branchmuseum.org.

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Coffee + Conversation with André Johnson

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Coffee + Conversation with André Johnson

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About the Event

Join us on Saturday, May 20 th, at 10 AM for Coffee + Conversation with André Johnson. André will be discussing “Finding Your Creative Rhythm.” From new to experienced design professionals, this conversation will have you contemplating your design journey and what it means to hone your skills. Don’t forget to bring your sketch or notebook!

Enjoy delicious coffee or a mimosa, light breakfast foods, and design-centered discussion.

About André Johnson

As a multi-faceted Creative Director and working artist, André stays busy developing brands and driving creative initiatives for companies both large and small. In his 19+ years of experience, he’s been very fortunate to work on a variety of projects that have historically and positively shaped the communities he loves.

As an only child growing up in Oklahoma City, André knew at an early age that he wanted to create things for a living. He would often draw and get lost in his imagination, sharing his wonky ideas along the way. Today, André considers himself to be one of the "lucky ones." His passion for visual storytelling has only grown and developed into a career that has allowed him to generate wonderful partnerships and create meaningful work that will undoubtedly outlast him. However, like most, André’s journey to today wasn’t guided. He had to find his way in a space that had little to no representation for him. While navigating through this lack of diversity, André would develop a heightened motivation and determination to excel.

André hopes to see the creative and advertising industry become more diverse and inclusive over the next 5-10 years. He encourages all the beautifully–colorful minds who still don’t feel included to find your value — then own it; surround yourself with inspiration; always try to see things for what they can be — not just for what they are; and stay humble during the process.

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Join us at The Branch Museum on Thursday, May 11th, at 6 PM for a lecture with Architectural Historian, Calder Loth.

This lecture will offer an illustrated presentation on Virginia’s Colonial Revival architecture. Much of the Commonwealth, and especially Richmond, is defined by colonial-style buildings: houses, churches, schools, public buildings, shops, and offices, some more than a century old. Many are comforted by the aesthetics of our colonial period and continue to maintain it in new construction. Whether we celebrate or deride this heritage, it needs to be understood.

Calder Loth is the retired Senior Architectural Historian of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources where he still serves part-time. His publications include The Virginia Landmarks Register, Virginia Landmarks of Black History, Lost Virginia, as well as numerous articles relating to historic preservation and classical architecture. In 2008 Loth was the first recipient of the Secretary of the Interior’s Preservation Award for service to state preservation programs. In 2017 he received the Virginia AIA Honor Award for significant contributions to the understanding of Virginia’s built environment. He also serves on the Virginia Art and Architectural Review Board and on the University of Virginia Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Several of his video lectures are available on YouTube.

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Mad Hatter Garden Gala Volunteer Information

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Please join us for a night of fun, fashion, food, and a unique design auction in our garden!

The evening begins with registration and photo opportunities in our forecourt. Wear your most creative hats! The most inventive hat will be honored with our Milliner’s Award! Keep an eye on our social media for inspiration.

Guests will proceed to our galleries for a signature cocktail, to preview auction items, and to enjoy installations by RVA Fashion Week’s Emerging Designers! Heavy hors d’ouevres and drinks will be served in our Library, Social Gallery, and on the back terrace.

The live design auction will then take place in our tented garden, a truly special place!

All sponsorships, table and ticket sales, and auction proceeds support The Branch’s mission to explore the impact of design in everyday life. We hope to see you there!

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Here I am (far left) with Tré Seals (center), founder of Vocal Type and artist of the exhibition, Characters: Type + Progress. His parents (on both sides of Tré) also attended this final reception to celebrate the success of the exhibition, along with Rich Dilworth, Branch Facilities Manager (far right).

This exhibition had 7 dedicated programs, 12+ school groups and special visits, and over 1,300 total visitors.

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PechaKucha - Design: The Creative Process 

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PechaKucha - Design: The Creative Process 

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JOIN US!

Join us March 9th, at 6:00pm, for the second installment of PechaKucha RVA!

Richmond designers and creatives will have 20 images and 20 seconds per image to share with us their approach to the design process.

Cheer on the presenters and find out if they are up for the PechaKucha presenting challenge!

Museum doors open at 5:30 PM

Drinks will be available in the Library!

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About the Event

Join us on Thursday, March 30th, at 6pm to hear a lecture on Richmond's famous Hollywood Cemetery. Designed by noted architect John Notman, Hollywood Cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful rural garden cemetery parks in America.

Learn about Notman’s landscape design and the ornamental botanical specimens. Explore the rich variety of monument styles and symbols. Hear about the notable tenants including Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Governors, Generals, Captains of industry, educators, and writers. Learn why Hollywood attracts visitors from around the world.

About the Speaker

A master guide since the 1980’s,  Kathryn Whittington has created and conducted numerous tours and programs for Maymont, the Historic Richmond Foundation, and the Valentine Museum. In 1995, she completed the National Register Report for Shockoe Hill Cemetery which resulted in that property’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, she has presented programs for the Shepherd’s Center Open University, the Osher Institute,  Life Long Learning Institute,  and numerous community organizations.

Photo Credit:  Emily Claire Photography

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Museums, Race, and Inclusion: Group Project - DEAI Creation

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Museums, Race, and Inclusion: Group Project - DEAI Creation

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About the Event

Join us at The Branch Museum to create a one-of-kind miniature art quilt with textile artist Unicia Buster.

You will be using the log cabin pattern which was just one of the many patterns in quilting thought to be used as part of the Underground Railroad's coded messages in quilts. This pattern was chosen and created as a typeface by Vocal Type in the current exhibition, "Characters: Type  + Progress."

Participants will learn about fabric painting using stencils, piecing, sandwiching, quilting, and binding. You will also learn about finishing and hanging options.

Total Cost:

Workshop Fee - $80

Materials - $15

About the Artist

Unicia Buster, a native of Richmond, Va., received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Cornell University and a master of arts degree from George Mason University. She won the juror’s choice award for the inaugural 48-to-Create at the Visual Arts Center and she was a recipient of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Artist Fellowship. Buster has exhibited throughout Richmond and Virginia, as well as in New York, Italy, DC, and South Carolina. She has taught art workshops at Oakwood Arts, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and privately.

Buster has been a featured speaker at various events in Richmond, including TEDxRVA and the Good Grief Conference. She has been featured in various media, including CBS 6, WWBT NBC12, the Richmond Free Press, Nest Realty’s Magazine, B-Side Collective Magazine, Soul Magazine, the Richmond Free Press, and the Richmond Times Dispatch. Buster was selected to design the poster for the annual 2nd Street Festival in Richmond in 2020 and 2021. She also is an active and founding member of the Black American Artists’ Alliance of Richmond.

Besides creating, Buster enjoys exploring nature and its inhabitants with her son, going out to eat, hanging out with loved ones, and watching movies and shows.

* Beginner Sewing Skills Required

*Limited Tickets Available

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Accessibility in Museums: Final Project - Website Accessibility and Inclusion

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Accessibility in Museums: Final Project - Website Accessibility and Inclusion

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Educational Programming for Museum Audiences: Final Project - Artworks Worldwide 

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Educational Programming for Museum Audiences: Final Project - Artworks Worldwide 

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Museum Education: Final Presentation - Assessment of VMFA Online Programs

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Museum Education: Final Presentation - Assessment of VMFA Online Programs

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(Left to Right)

Moderator:

Ashley Montgomery | Hanbury

Panelists:

André Johnson | Creative Director, Red Orange Studio

Mariah Williams | Urban Planner, Virginia Housing

Keith Ramsey | Metal Artist

Shannon Bass | Graphic Designer, Markel & Black Creatives RVA (Founder)

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AES Students House Floor Recognition for Artwork

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AES Students House Floor Recognition for Artwork

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I created an Instagram account that offers educators a concise list of helpful resources offered by museum's through their websites. My goal with this account is to easily share and highlight valuable tools, programs, and deliverables with those interested in educating others. Please take a look at one of my posts for an example.
(link: https://www.instagram.com/themuseumedu/)

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Mission: "We inspire growth in all children by engaging families in learning through play."

Vision: "The Children’s Museum will foster a community that recognizes and appreciates that children grow and learn through play."

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CMoR Internship Overview - Final Project

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CMoR Internship Overview - Final Project

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(September - December 2020)

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"The Gloucester Museum of History strives to engage, educate, and inspire future generations by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the diverse history, heritage, and culture of Gloucester County."

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In collaboration with the Museums Coordinator, I constructed changes to and updated the museum's website to increase its visibility. I learned to use and operate CivicPlus, which is the website platform used by Gloucester County's Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.

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About the Museum

The Botetourt Building, now the Gloucester Museum of History, was built in the year 1770. This 251-year-old historic building was once a tavern used by travelers as they made their way to do business at Gloucester Courthouse. Today, the Museum of History is home to over 3,000 objects, ranging from archival documents and photographs to large antique agricultural tools. These items are vital to telling the rich and intricate history of Gloucester County.

Mission Statement

The Gloucester Museum of History strives to engage, educate, and inspire future generations by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the diverse history, heritage, and culture of Gloucester County.

Recent Events

On Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, the museum hosted Gloucester 1776: A Revolutionary Experience. 50 reenactors and living historians brought the Revolutionary War to life with cannon and musket firing demonstrations, military music, colonial cooking, and examples of solider and civilian life. Over 270 guests from across the region attended the event. Many thanks to the Gloucester Historical Society, Friends of the Museum, and the 7 th Virginia Regiment, for making the event a fun and educational experience!

Upcoming Events

Join us on Saturday, October 2nd - Sunday, October 3rd

10am - 4pm for the

2nd Annual Fire, Smoke & Muskets: Gloucester 1781
Commemorating the 240th Anniversary of the Battle of the Hook
This free living history event will feature cannon and musket firing demonstrations, first-person historical interpreters, and dozens of reenactors! Stay tuned, more information will be available in the coming weeks!

Field Trips & Group Tours

Field trips and group tours are free; however, we ask that you contact us 30-days in advance to schedule your museum experience.

Please contact Museums Coordinator, Robert Kelly, at (804) 693-1234 or rkelly@gloucesterva.info.

Volunteering & Internships

Interested in history? Would you like to interpret Gloucester's history to school groups and students? Want to go behind the scenes at the Museum to assist with research, collections, or archives? Do you enjoy special events and living history, or just want to greet visitors? Volunteers are always needed in these areas at the Gloucester Museum of History. Share your individual talents and skills with us and our visitors. As a volunteer you will learn new skills and information, meet new people, enjoy the historic surroundings of a 251-year-old building, help the museum move forward with numerous projects, and have fun! To learn more about volunteering please contact Museums Coordinator, Robert Kelly, at (804) 693-1234 or rkelly@gloucesterva.info.

Click here to access information regarding internship opportunities!

Research Requests

The Gloucester Museum of History operates a library and special collections for researchers. Contact the Museums Coordinator, Robert Kelly, at (804) 693-1234 or rkelly@gloucesterva.info to schedule an appointment.

Parking

Parking is free and the Museum's parking lot is located on the corner of Main Street and Carriage Court. Additional parking can be found on Main Street.

Admission & Donations

Admission to the Museum is free for all ages; however, we do accept and appreciate donations.

Interested in donating an object to the Museum's collection? Please contact the Museums Coordinator, Robert Kelly, at (804) 693-1234 or rkelly@gloucesterva.info.

Accessibility Statement

The Gloucester Museum of History is dedicated and committed to creating a positive experience and environment for all who visit. All visitors have the right to be fully engaged in the cultural life of their community. Due to the age of the Museum's building, physical barriers may be present; however, we would like to address the needs of our community and its members to the best of our ability. Please contact the Museums Coordinator with questions, suggestions, or any concerns you may have.

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The Botetourt Building, now the Gloucester Museum of History, was built in the year 1770. This 251-year-old historic building was once a tavern used by travelers as they made their way to do business at Gloucester Courthouse. Today, the Museum of History is home to over 3,000 objects, ranging from archival documents and photographs to large antique agricultural tools.

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Me (left) and the Museums Coordinator, Robert Kelly (right), in front of the historic Botetourt building, now the Gloucester Museum of History during Covid-19 internship.

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Accessibility in the Museum: Final Project - Visitor Experience PDF

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Accessibility in the Museum: Final Project - Visitor Experience PDF

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Gloucester Museum of History - Visitor Experience copy

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"Awakening: The Life and Legacy of T.C. Walker" Exhibit

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"Awakening: The Life and Legacy of T.C. Walker" Exhibit

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February 2021

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July 19th - 22nd
Fifteen rising 4th and 5th graders spent the week at the Gloucester Museum of History and Rosewell ruins learning about the Revolutionary War, T.C. Walker, Civil War, Reconstruction, Virginia's Indigenous people (specifically the Rappahannock Tribe), the 7th Virginia Regiment, museum objects and responsibilities, and Brent & Becky's Bulbs, along with the history of the daffodil industry in Gloucester County. Activities and educational information incorporated the VA SOLs.

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Collection Management: Exhibit Analysis 

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Collection Management: Exhibit Analysis 

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K. Christian Collection Management Assignment #3

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Practice of Public History: Final Project - Sizzle Reel of Heritage Site

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Practice of Public History: Final Project - Sizzle Reel of Heritage Site

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Target Audience: Young Professionals
Goal: Get target audience involved at Historic Site

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7th Virginia Regiment interpreter, Mike Cecere.

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Marching and rifle drills

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Practice of Public History: Heritage Site Research and Anaylsis  

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Practice of Public History: Heritage Site Research and Anaylsis  

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K. Christian - Heritage Site Assignment II

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Gloucester Museum educational space with 7th Virginia Regiment interpreters.

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Daily journaling and prompted questions.

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T.C. Walker Main St. Mural discussion and activity.

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2021 Daffodil Festival Student Scavenger Hunt

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2021 Daffodil Festival Student Scavenger Hunt

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March 2021
Designed and created by me.

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July 19-22, 2021

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Johns Hopkins University - Museum Studies Graduate Program

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Johns Hopkins University - Museum Studies Graduate Program

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Completed May 2021

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K. Christian Unofficial Transcript 2021 

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"Getting to Know You BINGO" first day ice breaker.
July 2021

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History Camp 2021 - Get to know you BINGO

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Community partner, Brent & Becky's, Daffodil activity.

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Instructions:

1. Choose a cookie cutter and dip the edge into paint color, then apply pressure on paper
TIP: Try adding painters tape to create a clean boarder and to help secure paper to table

2. Repeat step one until the paper is full

3. Optional: Once painting is dry, decorate with markers or crayons

"Christmas Cookie Day!" Read Along

Before or after you create a cookie cutter painting, consider reading "Christmas Cookie Day!" written by Tara Knudson and illustrated by Pauline Siewert. To read along, please click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8177yKrbr8

Sing and Dance!

Join Cookie Monster and his friends as they sing Sesame Street's 12 Days of Christmas Cookie song! Don't be afraid to get up and dance too! Click this link to join the fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQCmsuK-Lmw

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Cookie Cutter Painting | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Instructions: Choose a cookie cutter and dip the edge into paint color, then apply pressure on paper TIP: Try adding painters tape to create a clean boarder and to help secure paper to table Repeat step one until the paper is full Optional: Once painting is dry, decorate with markers or crayons "Christmas Cookie Day!"

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1/2 Cup of Conditioner

3 Cups of Baking Soda

Measuring Cups

Bowl

Instructions:

Time needed: 30 minutes.

1. Measure 3 cups of baking soda and pour them into a bowl

2. Measure and pour 1/2 cup of conditioner into the bowl

3. Using your hands, mix the conditioner and baking soda together
TIP: It should feel like kinetic sand

4. Have fun and use your imagination!

Other Ways to Use Homemade Snow

Take toy trucks and cars to make tire tracks in the "snow"

Build a mini "snow" fort or "snow" sculpture

Practice letters and numbers by writing them in the "snow"

Separate toy animals into arctic and non-arctic animals, then play in the "snow"

Movement - "Penguin Dance"

Help develop gross motor skills in a fun way! Dance and sing along to the "Penguin Dace." Click the link for this movement activity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf0uKmKwnKs

Don't forget to share your "Snow Much Fun!" creations with us on social media. Tag us on (@childrensmuseumofrichmond) or (@CMoRichmond)!

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Snow Much Fun! | Children's Museum of Richmond

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1/2 Cup of Conditioner 3 Cups of Baking Soda Measuring Cups Bowl Instructions: Time needed: 30 minutes. Measure 3 cups of baking soda and pour them into a bowl Measure and pour 1/2 cup of conditioner into the bowl Using your hands, mix the conditioner and baking soda together TIP: It should feel like kinetic sand Have fun and use your imagination!

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Instructions:

1. If you don't have dice, Google "cube template" and print

2. Cut out cube template
Tip: Make sure not to cut off the tabs!

3. Turn template upside down and fold along each line

4. Write gross motor tasks on each square, then draw pictures to match the tasks
Waddle like a penguin, sing like a caroler, twirl like a snowflake, freeze like an icicle, shovel the snow, free space or come up with your own!

5. Tape the sides together to create a cube
Tip: Make sure to tuck the tab inside the cube before taping

6. Time to play!

How to create a Winter Gross Motor Cube using dice:

Assign each number a gross motor task and have the child roll the dice and perform the task that they landed on.

What Are Gross Motor Skills and Why Are They Important?

Gross motor skills include physical actions and movements. It is important for a child's growth to practice gross motor skills to support important daily functions. For example, learning to get dressed or being able to be stand on one foot while putting on pants. For more information, please visit: https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/gross-motor-skills/

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Winter Gross Motor Cube | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Instructions: If you don't have dice, Google "cube template" and print Cut out cube template Tip: Make sure not to cut off the tabs! Turn template upside down and fold along each line Write gross motor tasks on each square, then draw pictures to match the tasks Waddle like a penguin, sing like a caroler, twirl like a snowflake, freeze like an icicle, shovel the snow, free space or come up with your own!

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Vegetables

Kitchen knife (ask an adult for assistance)

Veggie dip

Platter

Instructions:

Time needed: 30 minutes.

1. Wash your hands and veggies, then (with help from an adult) cut veggies

2. Spoon dip into small bowl, then create turkey head with veggies
TIP: pepper for the head, carrot for the beak, black olives for the eyes

3. Have fun arranging the veggies around the bowl to create turkey feathers

The Importance of Healthy Eating

This Turkey Time activity helps make vegetables more appealing to kids, which allows them to explore healthier food options! Healthy foods give you energy, and they improve your mind and mood. For more information, please visit: https://familydoctor.org/nutrition-tips-for-kids/

Vegetable Game

Have fun and play along with this great vegetable game! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfYzwGG2OcI

Share your Turkey Time creation with us on social media. Tag us on Instagram (@childrensmuseumofrichmond) or Facebook (@CMoRichmond)!

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Turkey Time! | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Vegetables Kitchen knife (ask an adult for assistance) Veggie dip Platter Instructions: Time needed: 30 minutes. Wash your hands and veggies, then (with help from an adult) cut veggies Spoon dip into small bowl, then create turkey head with veggiesTIP: pepper for the head, carrot for the beak, black olives for the eyes Have fun arranging the veggies around the bowl to create turkey feathers This Turkey Time activity helps make vegetables more appealing to kids, which allows them to explore healthier food options!

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Glue

Markers

Plain paper

Scissors

(Optional) construction paper

(Optional) cotton balls

Instructions:

Time needed: 30 minutes.

1. Trace hand with brown marker for turkey body
TIP: Place hand at the top of the paper to have room for turkey feathers later

2. Rotate paper and draw circle for turkey head

3. Draw beak, wattle, eyes, and color the face

4. To disguise your turkey as a SNOW PERSON....
Put glue around the traced hand and add cotton balls

5. Cut three small circles for the coal buttons

6. Cut a rectangle and a square for the hat

7. Cut two rectangles for arms

8. Cut two rectangles for the scarf

9. Glue cut out pieces onto cotton balls and paper

10. Rotate your picture and use markers to make the turkey feathers

11. Color in feathers

If you don't have cotton balls or don't want to make a Snow Person, think of other ways to disguise your turkey!
SUGGESTION: Turn your turkey into a different kind of animal by using what you have at home.

Share your turkey's disguise with us on social media. Tag us on Instagram (@childrensmuseumofrichmond) or Facebook (@CMoRichmond)!

Read Along - "Turkey Trouble"

Enjoy reading "Turkey Trouble" written by Wendi Silvano and illustrated by Lee Harper. This book is a fun way to tie in this week's art project, Turkey in Disguise! Click here to read along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUS7UHXsd8

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Turkey in Disguise | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Glue Markers Plain paper Scissors (Optional) construction paper (Optional) cotton balls Instructions: Time needed: 30 minutes. Trace hand with brown marker for turkey bodyTIP: Place hand at the top of the paper to have room for turkey feathers later Rotate paper and draw circle for turkey head Draw beak, wattle, eyes, and color the face To disguise your turkey as a SNOW PERSON....

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We would love your feedback! Thank you to our intern, Kristen Christian for all of the hard work and creativity that went into our Play at Home Blog during her internship. We look forward to continuing her efforts to provide exceptional educational content for families like yours!

About the Assessment:

My name is Kristen Christian and I am an intern at the Children's Museum of Richmond - Downtown location through the Johns Hopkins University Museum Studies graduate program. This assessment will be used for my internship class final project. This data will help me determine how to best recommend creating future blog content for the Museum, as well as analyze how blog participants experience blog content. Thank you for your assistance as I work to serve our community through the "Play at Home Blog."

If interested, please participate in one of the following activities listed below with a child or children under the age of 9. Once you have completed the activity, please fill out a short survey about your experience here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXV35NP
List of Blog Activities with Links:
Turkey Handprint
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/blog/2020/11/turkey-handprint/
Thankful Tree & The Importance of Gratitude
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/blog/2020/11/thankful-tree-the-importance-of-gratitude/
Spooky Games - Learn, Play & Grow:
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/.../spooky.../
Spider Web Fine Motor Skills:
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/.../spider-web.../
Frida Kahlo Inspired Flower Crown:
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/.../frida.../
Día de los Muertos Inspired Sugar Skull Mask:
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/.../dia-de-los.../
Mexican Folk Art Mirrors:
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/.../mexican.../
Fall is Fun!:
https://www.childrensmuseumofrichmond.org/.../fall-is-fun/
If you are considering completing the activity and survey, please do so before 11/20 (Friday). Thank you for your assistance!

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Play at Home Blog Assessment | Children's Museum of Richmond

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We would love your feedback! Thank you to our intern, Kristen Christian for all of the hard work and creativity that went into our Play at Home Blog during her internship. We look forward to continuing her efforts to provide exceptional educational content for families like yours!

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Wipes

Paint (brown, red, orange, & yellow)

Paintbrush

Paper

(Alternative) Crayons or Colored pencils

Instructions:

Time needed: 25 minutes.

1. Paint the hand brown for the body of the turkey
TIP: You'll want to do this quickly before the paint dries

2. Press hand firmly onto the paper

3. Wipe hand clean

4. Use the paintbrush and brown paint to fill in all the gaps

5. Rotate the paper and paint a circle for the turkey's head

6. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for red, orange, & yellow to create handprint feathers
TIP: Don't forget to wash your paintbrush between each new color!

7. Use the orange paint for the beak and feet - Red for the wattle
TIP: Don't forget the eye!

Alternative:

1. With fingers together, trace hand with brown crayon

2. Rotate picture and draw a circle for the head

3. Color in turkey body with the brown crayon

4. Trace hand (with fingers apart) using different color crayons (yellow, orange, and red)

5. Color each one in
TIP: Try adding more feathers between the ones you've already traced

6. Add a beak and feet using an orange crayon and use red for the wattle
TIP: Don't forget the eye!

The Importance of Process vs. Product

No matter what the final project looks like, it is important to remember how you got there! We can become frustrated with the outcome of something we spend time on, but the real reward is reflecting on what we learned along the way. Encouraging the child you are working with to try their best and to have fun is important! That might mean creating a turkey using the child's favorite colors or decorating it with stickers and stamps. Remember, success isn't found in perfection; it's established in the process of trying something different or new!

Have fun dancing and singing together to the "Turkey Hokey Pokey!" Click here to play along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxfajHBG9Rg

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Turkey Handprint | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Wipes Paint (brown, red, orange, & yellow) Paintbrush Paper (Alternative) Crayons or Colored pencils Instructions: Time needed: 25 minutes.

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Thankful Tree & The Importance of Gratitude - Blog Post

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Thankful Tree & The Importance of Gratitude - Blog Post

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Construction paper (red, dark green, orange, yellow, and 4x brown)

Scissors

Tape

Marker

Instructions:

Time needed: 1 hour.

1. Cut triangles out of one piece of brown construction paper to make the top branches of the tree

2. Using another piece of brown paper, cut it into long strips for additional branches

3. Cut out simple leaf shapes from the other colors of construction paper

4. With a marker, write what you are thankful for onto the leaves

5. Find a wall in your house for your "Thankful Tree" and start assembling! Roll tape to the back of the tree trunk starting at the bottom and continue to add the brown construction paper to create a tree shape

6. Then, add the strips of brown paper around the top of the tree to create branches

7. Add the leaves

8. Optional:
Write on a new leaf and add it to your "Thankful Tree" each day!

"We Are Grateful - Ostaliheliga"

This book is written by Traci Sorell and illustrated by Frané Lessac. It is about how the Cherokee people show gratitude all year long. Click here to access a read aloud version of this wonderful book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLD5YbPXSl8&t=10s

The Importance of Gratitude

There are many benefits to practicing gratitude! Practicing gratitude can improve our social interactions, careers or daily tasks, our overall health and well-being, our emotions, and personality traits. "Having an attitude of gratitude doesn't cost any money. It doesn't take much time. But the benefits of gratitude are enormous." For more information, please visit: https://www.happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/

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Thankful Tree & The Importance of Gratitude | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Construction paper (red, dark green, orange, yellow, and 4x brown) Scissors Tape Marker Instructions: Time needed: 1 hour.

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Spooky Games: Play, Learn & Grow - Blog Post

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Spooky Games: Play, Learn & Grow - Blog Post

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Instructions:

Time needed: 20 minutes.

Use the fake spiders from last week's activity to create a fun spider race!

1. One-On-One
How it works: Each child uses their straw to blow the spider across the finish line. Create your own rules for the game such as, "You can start once I count to three!" and "The first one over the line is this round's winner." It is important for child growth and development to learn good sportsmanship skills. For example, prompt the winner to congratulate others on doing their best. Trying is a vital part of learning and to develop a growth mindset.

2. Working Together - Teamwork
How it works: Place one spider between the players and encourage them to work together to get the spider across the finish line. Provide narration about what is happening and cheer them on as they complete the task!

3. Alternative if you don't have spiders
How it works: Use a straw and Cheerios or other small object to achieve the same goal and work to develop good sportsmanship skills, as well as practicing teamwork.

Instructions:

1. Cut three circles out of the black construction paper for each roll of toilet paper

2. Tape each circle to the rolls of toilet paper to create two eyes and a mouth

3. Set up the rolls of toilet paper in the shape of a pyramid (3 on the bottom row, 2 on the middle row, and 1 on top)

4. Using a ball or even a small pumpkin, have the child stand at a certain distance away from the pyramid and roll the object to knock down as many of the toilet paper rolls as possible

Practice "Maximize Love, Manage Stress" ( The Basics) by encouraging the child to "try again" if they miss or narrate what they are doing (example: "I see you stood closer this time, great job problem solving!"). Celebrate with them when they have accomplished their goal.

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Spooky Games - Play, Learn & Grow! | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Instructions: Time needed: 20 minutes. Use the fake spiders from last week's activity to create a fun spider race! One-On-One How it works: Each child uses their straw to blow the spider across the finish line. Create your own rules for the game such as, "You can start once I count to three!"

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Spider Web Fine Motor Activity - Blog Post

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Spider Web Fine Motor Activity - Blog Post

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Time needed: 45 minutes.
Instructions:

1. Thread the yarn through the holes of the laundry basket and tie off any loose ends

2. Add the fake spiders to different layers of the yarn
Modification - for younger children consider placing larger objects in the laundry basket, like socks or stuffed animals

3. Use the kitchen tongs to remove the spiders from the web
Modification - encourage younger children to use their hands to collect items from the basket as they navigate the spider web

Activities like this help young children work on perseverance, while enhancing fine motor skills! You can easily add in some math by helping your child count the spiders (or other items) they get out of the web. Use specific encouragement that focuses on your child's effort, "I like how you keep trying to get that spider!" or just narrate what you see your child doing. This builds both vocabulary and helps develop a growth mindset

The Importance of Fine Motor Skills
A child's fine motor skills are essential for performing academic, play, and self care tasks and daily routines. Things such as holding a pencil, tying shoelaces, completing puzzles, and brushing your teeth all use fine motor skills.
For more information about fine motor skills, please visit: https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/fine-motor-skills/

Consider Teaching Related Rhymes

Here is an example! Another example would be "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"

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Spider Web Fine Motor Activity | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Time needed: 45 minutes. Instructions: Thread the yarn through the holes of the laundry basket and tie off any loose ends Add the fake spiders to different layers of the yarn Modification - for younger children consider placing larger objects in the laundry basket, like socks or stuffed animals Use the kitchen tongs to remove the spiders from the web Modification - encourage younger children to use their hands to collect items from the basket as they navigate the spider web Activities like this help young children work on perseverance, while enhancing fine motor skills!

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Both locations are currently open Thursday through Sunday. Timed tickets are required! Reserve Tickets

Learn about Día de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") and create a sugar skull inspired mask!

Published on October 16, 2020

Día de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") Facts

1. Día de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") started in Mexico and northern Central America. Today, it is celebrated in Mexico and parts of Central and South America.

2. Not to be confused with Halloween, Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life and to remember those who have passed away. It is traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd.

3. Calaveras azucaradas ("sugar skulls") are colorfully decorated and act as a reminder of the circle of life.

Paper plate

Glue

Scissors

Popsicle stick

Markers

Sequins (optional)

Printable template (optional - template can be found through Google Images)

Time needed: 30 minutes.

1. Trace template (optional) or draw out a sugar skull shape onto the paper plate

2. Cut out
TIP: When cutting out the holes for the eyes, fold the top of the plate over around the center of the eye circle and make a cut. Unfold the plate and slide your scissors into the cut you created.

3. With a black marker, outline the eyes, draw a mouth, nose, and designs
TIP: Use the ridge of the plate for the mouth then, draw "M's" on the top of the mouth line and "U's" on the bottom. For the nose, draw an upside down heart.

4. Color in your design

5. Glue on sequins or other decorations (optional)

6. Turn over your sugar skull and glue the popsicle stick to the back

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Downtown
2626 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 474-7062

Chesterfield
6629 Lake Harbour Dr.
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 474-7075

© 2020 C-MOR, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Día de los Muertos Inspired Sugar Skull Mask | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Both locations are currently open Thursday through Sunday. Timed tickets are required! Reserve Tickets Learn about Día de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") and create a sugar skull inspired mask! Published on October 16, 2020 Día de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") Facts Día de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") started in Mexico and northern Central America.

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Self-Portrait II, Frida Kahlo, 1940

1. Frida was born in 1907 in Mexico City, Mexico.

2. She was a Mexican painter and was most well-known for her use of bright colors and self-portraits.

3. The flowers in her flower crown represent the natural beauty of Mexico and her deep appreciation for bringing nature to life.

Coffee filters

Water (spray bottle optional)

Washable markers

Scissors

Hot glue gun and sticks (*Ask an adult to work with you!*)

Headband

Green construction paper (optional)

Directions:

Step 1: Separate each coffee filter and flatten them out on a smooth surface. Place a piece of paper under your coffee filter and color each filter with different colors, patterns, and designs.

Step 2: Take your decorated filters outside and lay them in the grass. Using a spray bottle or just a cup of water, pour water over each coffee filter until the colors blend together. Leave outside to dry.

Step 3: Once the filters are dry, crinkle up each one making them wrinkly, then lay them flat. Find the center of the coffee filter with your pointer finger and place the other hand under the filter. Push your pointer finger down and pinch underneath, gathering the filter from the bottom. Repeat for each filter.

Step 4: With the help of an adult, use the glue gun to glue your coffee filter flowers onto your headband. You can also add leaves with green construction paper (optional).

Don't Miss the ¿Que Pasa? Virtual Festival!

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Frida Kahlo Inspired Flower Crown | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Frida was born in 1907 in Mexico City, Mexico. She was a Mexican painter and was most well-known for her use of bright colors and self-portraits. The flowers in her flower crown represent the natural beauty of Mexico and her deep appreciation for bringing nature to life.

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Follow the step by step video or directions below to create a Mexican Folk Art inspired mirror!

What is Folk Art? Folk Art is created everywhere because it is artwork made by untrained and anonymous artists. Mexican Folk Art mirrors are usually made with tin materials by local untrained artists who create designs around the mirror's edge. Mexican artists use a lot of bright and bold colors in their unique designs.

Construction paper

Paper plate

Scissors

Markers

Glue

Tinfoil

Circular object to trace

Sharpies (optional)

Directions:
Step 1: Find a flat circular object in your house, set it on top of the tinfoil and use a pencil to trace around the object. Then, cut out the tinfoil circle

Step 2: Glue the cut out tinfoil circle in the center of the paper plate

Step 3: Use the scissors to cut out different shapes (circles, triangles, rectangles, squares, hearts), then glue your shapes to the paper plate. Maybe you want to arrange your shapes into a specific pattern!

Step 4: Now it's time to decorate! Use your markers and/or Sharpies (optional) to decorate your shapes and paper plate.

Check Out the Virtual ¿Que Pasa? Festival!

For more information, please visit: http://quepasafestival.com

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Mexican Folk Art Mirror | Children's Museum of Richmond

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What is Folk Art? Folk Art is created everywhere because it is artwork made by untrained and anonymous artists. Mexican Folk Art mirrors are usually made with tin materials by local untrained artists who create designs around the mirror's edge. Mexican artists use a lot of bright and bold colors in their unique designs.

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- Plain paper

- Colored pencils or crayons

- Scissors

- Glue

- Construction paper (Optional)

- Leaves

Step 1: Look around your yard or in your neighborhood for different shaped leaves with different textures.

Step 2: Find a hard surface to work on at home, take one of the leaves you found and place it under the plain paper, smooth down the paper over the leaf with your hands, and choose a colored pencil or crayon to use.

Step 3: Place one hand on the paper to secure the leaf underneath and start rubbing over it with the color you chose (make sure you tilt the colored pencil or crayon at an angle for best results).

Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with other leaves and colors (you can even color over the leaf with two different colors like I did in the video!)

Step 5: Use scissors to cut out the rubbed leaves you created

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Fall is FUN! | Children's Museum of Richmond

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Plain paper - Colored pencils or crayons - Scissors - Glue - Construction paper (Optional) - Leaves Step 1: Look around your yard or in your neighborhood for different shaped leaves with different textures.

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CMoR Activities (Habitats, Butterflies, Patterns, and Native American Units) copy

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Each year in December, CMoR sets up a faux village with different "houses" decorated for different holidays that represent the diverse Richmond community. Each "house" has various elements (i.e. lights, decorations, foods, and games) that show visitors the way a family would celebrate that particular holiday. In collaboration with the education team, we developed a rhyme that included each "houses'" elements and posted it outside of the door's entrance for families to find what is mentioned in the poem (like an I-Spy activity).

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Holiday Village 2020 - Lunar New Year House 

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Holiday Village 2020 - Lunar New Year House 

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Certified until 2029

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12 of my students were invited to Virginia Capitol to be recognized for their artwork, which was on display there from February to March of 2015.

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Craig County HS and MS 2014-2015 Yearbooks

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Craig County HS and MS 2014-2015 Yearbooks

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In collaboration with my students, we produced the 2014-15 high school and middle school yearbooks.

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I taught 12 9-12 year olds printmaking and book altering classes during the summer of 2017.