RICHMOND, Va. — Bill Martin, longtime director of the Valentine Museum who died Sunday, is being remembered as a transformative leader who helped shape the city's cultural identity and fostered collaboration among its arts institutions.
Martin, 71, was hit by a vehicle Saturday evening just two blocks from the Valentine Museum, where he had served as director for more than three decades since joining in 1994. He died from his injuries the following day.
"He was open, funny, down to earth, challenging, but in a good way," said Kristen Cavallo, executive director of The Branch Museum of Design.
Tributes have poured in from across Richmond's cultural community, with colleagues describing Martin as a deeply respected leader who was instrumental in telling the city's complex stories and supporting the broader arts community.
"He's pretty much everywhere. I feel like everyone will probably tell you that if there was an art function or artist function, Bill was there supporting it," Cavallo said.
Martin was known for his willingness to tackle difficult historical narratives. This summer, he oversaw the Valentine's preparation to send Confederate statues that once lined Monument Avenue to an exhibit in Los Angeles, describing the initiative as an opportunity to spark national dialogue on race and power.
"If you're coming for history that if you want to understand this country, the place you have to start is not some of the other folks that say 'these are the places', but, in fact, Richmond is the place where America's story starts," Martin said in an interview. "It's where we actually do the thing. Now that you have it -- what are you going to do with it."
The Valentine's acting director described Martin as someone whose "dedication to sharing Richmond's stories has left an indelible impact on the Valentine and the greater community."
Cavallo, who met Martin nearly a year ago when she became executive director of the Branch Museum, said he was among the first to reach out and welcome her to Richmond's museum community.
"There was so much I learned from him, both in his willingness to tell hard stories and how he framed those stories. But, also the pedestal with which he put art on as a mechanism for stirring conversation and encouraging independent thinking," she said.
Martin fostered collaboration among Richmond's cultural institutions, hosting quarterly meetings for museum directors and creating an inclusive community focused on serving the greater Richmond and Virginia area.
"When we all met as museum directors, there was always a sense that we were working together for the greater area of not only Richmond, but Virginia," Cavallo said.
Tributes have come from numerous Richmond institutions, including the Black History Museum, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Library of Virginia, as well as from the broader arts community.
"He was a loyal person both to Richmond, to the Valentine, to the art community," Cavallo said.
As the community considers how to honor Martin's legacy, Cavallo emphasized the need for something meaningful and lasting that matches his impact on the city.
"He believed art was a necessary and important thing in the world, and it should be fought for, and the integrity of museums should be underscored and fought for," she said.
The Valentine Museum has indicated it will release more information about Martin and opportunities to honor his memory when appropriate. A bouquet of flowers and prayer card were placed on the museum's front steps Monday in his honor.
Below, find other statements from Richmond organizations and individuals reflecting on Martin's memory.
- Afrikana Film Festival: "Since the earliest moments of Afrikana, Bill Martin has been an essential part of our organization. He has helped us make magic from Noir Cinema and our annual festival to the Taste of Liberation Dinner, midnight Brunches, and our Her Flowers mural in 2020. Bill's vision for the future of the institution and his generosity allowed The Valentine to be a warm and easy space to create monumental moments. He was more than just a supporter, community partner and board member, he was a friend, and we will miss him dearly. Bill's love for Richmond ran deep and he used his position as a community leader to create pathways for others to pour into the city. His impact was felt far and wide and Richmond will feel the weight of his absence, but we will also work to keep alive the best of his legacy. The Afrikana team is heartbroken over this loss and share in the collective shock and pain of this moment. We send deep love and sincere condolences to the entire Valentine team, and prayers for peace and comfort to everyone impacted by Bill's passing. Bill Martin, rest well, sir. You earned it."
- Cyane Crump, Executive Director, Historic Richmond: "Bill was a towering figure in the Richmond community. Not only did he remake The Valentine into the tremendously important institution that it is today, he served as the soul of Richmond. He helped us to understand where we came from, who we are, and where we are going. He helped to tell the stories about our past that were hard to tell and sometimes even harder to hear – as well as the stories that were fun and just a little bit irreverent. He was a huge champion of Downtown Richmond and understood that it was the beating heart of the region and that we, as a community, needed to invest the resources into its care and maintenance. His loss leaves a hole in Richmond, which will not be easily or quickly filled, if ever."
- Dennis Clark, Librarian of Virginia, Library of Virginia: "I, along with my colleagues at the Library of Virginia, am heartbroken to learn of the death of Bill Martin, long-time director of the Valentine museum. Bill knew Richmond better than anyone, and his vision for reshaping the Valentine into the institution it has become was truly boundary-spanning. He was a true friend and collaborator, and all of us at the Library are devastated by his loss. We know, however, that the Valentine will continue his essential work in reconciling Richmond’s complicated past, and we will support that work in his memory."
- Enjoli Moon, founder of Afrikana Film Festival: "Generous, thoughtful, caring., open hearted. These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of Bill Martin. A true lover of this city, Bill embodied Richmond. He acted as a bridge from where it has been to where it is heading, using his energy to connect those often-contradictory paths with a level of grace, creativity, and tact admired and appreciated by many. He helped to move the needle forward and as a Richmonder, I'm thankful to him for that. He moved that needle not just as a visionary leader at The Valentine, but also in the way he showed up in community He was one of those people with the rare gift of making people feel seen and special. I had the pleasure of being seen by Bill for almost15 years and he showed up as a conduit, supporter, and open door every step of the way. Since Afrikana's infancy, Bill has been a champion for our organization, opening The Valentine's doors for our events and as a founding member of our board, he has been a constant on our journey. And with The JXN Project, he kept that same energy as one of its earliest supporters. Simply put, Bill was a giver, and it was part of his ethos to show up for people. I used to tease him about how he could slide in and out multiple events without people realizing he'd left. He had mastered how to show up and show love then move on so he could sprinkle some more elsewhere. Like many, I had the pleasure of knowing Bill not only as colleague but also as a friend. To have shared dinners at some of his 804 favorites and drinks in his garden. To have him celebrate my family's accomplishments and be present during some of our most challenging times. These are memories I will hold dear. Bill Martin was one of a kind. He touched many with his presence and Richmond will feel the weight of this loss for some time, but we will also carry forward the best of his legacy. The Afrikana, JXN, and Moon families sends deep love and prayers of comfort to the entire Valentine team, and all touched by Bill's passing. Rest easy, Bill. You did good.
- Richmond Performing Arts Alliance: "Richmond lost a legend today. Bill Martin was not just a museum director, but an inspiring advocate for Richmond’s arts and cultural ecosystem. He was a well of local history and an incredible member of this community."
- Science Museum of Virginia: "The Science Museum of Virginia mourns the loss of Bill Martin, longtime director of The Valentine, who brought Richmond’s history to life for so many. Our understanding of our own building and the role it played in the development of Richmond was due in great part to Bill’s efforts. His unwavering dedication to sharing his love of Richmond with others inspires us all."
- Sesha Joi Moon, Co-Founder of the JXN Project: "Today, Richmond, VA stood still as the devastating news of the passing of Bill Martin made its way through the city. He stood in the gap for so many — helping to connect some of the very most complicated corners of the city through arts, culture, and history. This is why we, like so many others, are heartbroken by this sudden loss. Bill was an integral part of our origin story as a historic preservation non-profit. He was by our side every step of the way — from serving as the initial fiscal sponsor for The JXN Project, to helping to plan the sesquicentennial celebration for Jackson Ward, to providing research to help answer “Who is Jackson?”, to participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for The JXN Haus, to recognizing the project with The Valentine’s Richmond History Maker Award, to partnering on the kickoff of the Richmond 250 Community Taskforce, to visiting the dislocated site of the Skipwith-Roper Cottage, to serving as a location for our documentary “Declarations of Independence”, to just last week, graciously agreeing to provide artifacts for the reconstructed site as part of The Skipwith-Roper Homecoming. He helped this small start-up organization that began with a historical inquiry when he didn’t have to and for that, we’ll forever remain in deep gratitude for his generosity and curiosity. But most of all, as a friend, he helped to hold us up on one of the hardest days of our lives as we laid our beloved father, August Moon, to rest — he was always there. He was charming. He was smart. He was giving. He was respected. He was witty. He was dedicated. He was loved. And on behalf of The JXN Project and The Moon Sisters, we would just like to say — Bill, thank you, we will miss you, may you rest well, and we promise to make you proud with Virginia 250."
- Shakia Gullette Warren, Executive Director, Black History Museum of Virginia: “When I came to Richmond just a few years ago, Bill Martin was one of the first people to extend genuine welcome and support to me, both personally and in my role as executive director at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. Given his stature and deep roots in the community, that support meant a great deal, and his loss leaves a profound void for the many people and institutions who looked to Bill for leadership and counsel in Richmond and beyond. Bill exemplified the courage it takes to be a truth teller, especially when confronting difficult chapters of our shared history, and he truly embodied what it means to be a community advocate. Bill had a way of making people feel seen and supported. Whether at an exhibition opening, partnership gathering, or community engagement initiative, he was always present and willing to help. At BHMVA, we understand the importance of legacy as we work to uplift the legacies of our ancestors. I believe Bill’s enduring legacy is his role as a changemaker who gave generously of his leadership and believed deeply in the power of honest storytelling to strengthen community. I am deeply grateful for his partnership, his example, and the impact he leaves behind.”
- Venture Richmond: "We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Valentine Director, Bill Martin. Bill dedicated 32 years to The Valentine and was one of Downtown’s biggest champions. His loss is unimaginable and he will be deeply missed by Venture Richmond’s staff and Board of Directors."
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: "We at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are profoundly saddened to learn that Bill Martin, longtime Director at The Valentine Museum, has passed away. For more than 30 years, Bill was a fixture in our community. Not only a keeper of history, Bill challenged us all to confront the city’s complex past and inspired us to advance its future. We will miss his leadership, foresight, and thoughtfulness. Our hearts go out to Bill’s family and friends, and to our colleagues at The Valentine."
- Virginia Museum of History and Culture: "VMHC mourns the loss of Bill Martin. He was a dedicated and passionate community leader and a great champion for history. His legacy at @TheValentineRVA and throughout our Commonwealth is immense and lasting."
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