Five years after Richmond’s streets filled with protesters seeking justice following George Floyd’s murder, photos of that historic moment are returning to public view. The Branch Museum of Design presents “(re)Framing Protest (Now): Design + Hope” on June 19, showcasing images by photojournalists Regina H. Boone and Sandra Sellars that reveal community solidarity often overshadowed by portrayals of violence.

While mainstream coverage of the 65 days of global protests focused on clashes and destruction, Boone and Sellars captured something different: Richmond residents uniting peacefully and artistically for justice.

“We were both struck by the community of people that formed there,” Sellars said. “There was calmness there, there was a sense of community there, there was a sense of peace there.”

  

The original 2022 exhibition drew new audiences to the museum. Now, as the renamed Branch Museum of Design, the institution sees the returning exhibition as part of its evolving mission.

“I think it’s really important for us, not just as a design museum but as a public institution on Monument Avenue, to continue having conversations about meaningful, impactful design,” said Deputy Director Katie Foster, “but also to be a safe space for expression and creation and to be a public institution for all.”

The exhibition returns amid continued global protests and political upheaval, lending new urgency to its message. A new catalog featuring a wider selection of photographs will accompany the show, alongside “Echoes of Us,” an exhibition of work from Black artists across Virginia.

 “Fist and Locks”
 By Regina H. Boone  

For Boone, the updated title’s emphasis on “Now” reflects the 2020 protests’ ongoing relevance.

“The same thing that happened in 2020 could happen all over again,” she said. “Even though we’re living in a time of so many challenges, there still is a possibility for things to move forward.”

“(re)Framing Protest (Now)” and “Echoes of Us” run June 19 through July 12.