Beard Wars Exhibition to Open at the Valentine
RICHMOND, Va. (March 11, 2015) – With the rising popularity in facial hair, the Valentine has partnered with Terry Brown Photography and the RVA Beard League to present Beard Wars, on display on the Lower Level of the Valentine, March 26-November 30. This photography exhibition faces off portraits of Civil War generals against those of League members.
“This exhibition is the Valentine’s way of paying homage to the sesquicentennial of the end of the American Civil War as we also identify the resurgence of the facial hair subculture in the Richmond area,” says Valentine Director Bill Martin.
The American Civil War (1861-1865) coincided with a rise in the popularity of men’s full facial hair during the mid-19th century. Contemporary photography captured men’s experimentation with an endless variety of styles, including mustaches, muttonchops, underbeards and sideburns.
Founded in 2011, the RVA Beard League is a collection of facial hair aficionados who are committed not simply to style but to community involvement. Not limited to men, the organization includes the RVA Beard League Whiskerinas, female members who create artificial beards. The League’s more than 200 members serve as “RVAmbassadors,” who volunteer widely in the city and compete nationally. Its annual Mid-Atlantic Beard and ‘Stache Championships is a popular showdown that benefits a local charity.
Complementing Beard Wars are shaving accessories and other objects from the Valentine collection. A mid-19th century taxidermied ram’s head snuff mull, or humidor, will greet visitors in the Klaus Lobby.
Beard Wars is made possible through the generous support of Tom and Wendy Rosenthal, with additional support by Richmond Camera.
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About the Valentine
The Valentine preserves, conserves and interprets Richmond, Virginia history and diverse community issues by focusing on urban and social history, costumes, decorative arts and architecture. It is the only institution in the country committed solely to this mission and it is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It houses a 40,000-piece collection of textiles and costumes, one of the largest Western collections of its kind. The Valentine maintains more than one million photographic images of the city, and 25,000 decorative arts pieces, including portraits, furniture and domestic items. Its research library provides primary source material for national and international scholars. The Valentine-owned 1812 John Wickham House is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
For more information, contact:
Domenick Casuccio
Public Relations & Marketing Director
pr@thevalentine.org
804-649-0711 ext. 322
804-467-2431 (cell)
