An artist may soon be living in Branscombe House on the Railway Greenway, as the City of Richmond looks at potential activities, such as weddings, that can take place at the renovated turn-of-the-twentieth-century home.
City staff are exploring the terms of an artist-in-residence program. According to a report to the parks committee, it’s thought an artist can live at Branscombe, for a nominal fee, while he or she is providing services such as workshops, exhibitions or performances either at the house or elsewhere.
The first resident of Branscombe could be Greg Girard who will present an art project at the Richmond Art Gallery in the spring of 2015, which aims to show a photo essay of Richmond’s diversity.
Artists will live upstairs to provide a presence at Branscombe, situated at Railway Avenue and Steveston Highway.
Below, it’s believed community groups may rent out the space for meetings and workshops. A more intriguing idea may be the hosting of small weddings, according to Jane Fernyhough, the city’s director of arts, culture and heritage services.
Branscombe can accommodate up to 30 people downstairs and has a catering kitchen.
No one took out an expression of interest to use the facility after the city posted requests for an expression of interest.
