New Centre for Contemporary Indigenous Art Opens in Upstate New York
Branchline launches in Katonah with an inaugural exhibition exploring themes of borders and lines.
1New Cultural Hub Opens
Branchline, a 10,000-square-foot arts centre, officially opened its main gallery in Katonah, New York, on 7 November 2026. This initiative stems from the Gochman Family Collection, established in 2021 by philanthropist Becky Gochman and former gallerist Zach Feuer. The venue aims to champion contemporary Native American art through public exhibitions.
2Strategic Location and Design
Situated near the Katonah Metro-North Railroad station, the facility derives its name from railroad track junctions. Upon full completion next year, the complex will integrate three buildings featuring multiple galleries, a ceramics studio, two apartments, a sculpture deck, and a café. It serves as a dedicated public space for artistic engagement.
3Curatorial Leadership Team
Laura Phipps, formerly an associate curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art, serves as the director of the Gochman Family Collection. She collaborates with creative director Rachel Martin, who is Tlingít, and various curatorial consultants. Their collective expertise guides the centre’s mission to support and center the work of Indigenous artists.
4Inaugural Exhibition Themes
The opening show, titled Line Break, is curated by Moonoka Begay and Nicole van Brugge. It features nearly 30 works by 18 artists, including Jeffrey Gibson and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. The exhibition examines the concept of lines and borders through both figurative and metaphorical lenses, challenging traditional perceptions of space and geography.
5Featured Artistic Works
A centerpiece of the exhibition is Raven Chacon’s Storm Pattern, which utilizes abstracted musical scores. The work references traditional Diné weavings while incorporating sonic recordings of drones captured during the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests. These oscillating waves reflect the erratic flight patterns of drones hovering above the Standing Rock encampment sites.
6Collection and Accessibility
The Gochman Family Collection holds approximately 800 works and has previously loaned 260 pieces to over 100 exhibitions worldwide. Before establishing this dedicated Katonah space, the collection was displayed in private residences in Manhattan and Florida. Branchline represents a shift toward providing a free, accessible public space for these significant cultural holdings.
7Historical Context and Evolution
Gochman and Feuer previously co-founded the Forge Project in 2021, located in Taghkanic, New York. That organization transitioned into a Native-led nonprofit in 2024, at which point Gochman withdrew from the project. Branchline continues their commitment to social justice, focusing on the philosophy that artists and their creative output remain the priority.
8Future Institutional Impact
Branchline joins a growing landscape of institutions expanding access to Indigenous art, alongside recent developments at the Phoenix Art Museum and Crystal Bridges. By providing a permanent venue for contemporary Native voices, the centre seeks to foster dialogue and experimentation, ensuring that artists remain central to the ongoing cultural and social discourse.