Curation

From 2008–2017 I curated or co-curated 13 group exhibitions, ranging in size from 6 to 30 artists, in venues throughout the state of Utah.

Curation

I didn’t intend to become a curator. I just had an idea that I felt deserved the attention of more than one artist. So, in 2006, I organized eight artists to drive the length of the state of Utah on Highway 89, and create a body of work based on the experience: The State Street Project. My next show, The 9 Muses, came from a discussion at the artists’ get-together after The State Street Project opened, and the ideas kept flowing from there.

From 2008–2017 I curated or co-curated 13 group exhibitions, ranging in size from 6 to 30 artists, in venues throughout the state of Utah. With the exception of Untitled, which I was invited to curate at the Rio Gallery in 2012, I also created work for each of these shows.

I’m currently working with Abe Kimball on a new curatorial project, Common Ground, which will involve over 40 artists from around the country, responding to a single Wayne Kimball print.

Curation involves a lot of work: developing the concept, recruiting participants, gathering images and applying to venues, organizing a timeline, gathering artworks and title card info, and installing the show. Despite (and maybe because of) the effort, I find it very rewarding. I think my favorite aspect of curating is working with the various artists, and seeing what they come up with in response to the concept of a show. Without fail, the creative output from the group as a whole far exceeds anything I could have anticipated or produced on my own.

The State Street Project

The State Street Project involved 8 artists, documenting their experience traveling down US Highway 89 from the Idaho border to the Arizona border.

The 9 Muses

The 9 Muses was an interdisciplinary exhibit involving 9 poets and 9 artists, inspired by the muses, Greek goddesses of the arts and inspiration.

Angels in the Architecture

A group of 12 artists, working in a variety of media, responded to the theme of Angels in the Architecture, in this 2010 exhibit.

Homage

In Homage, 30 artists paid tribute to their influences. Each artist's work was accompanied by documentation to explain who they decided to honor and why.

The Untitled Show

I was invited to curate the Untitled exhibit at the Rio Gallery in 2012. This exhibit included work by 30 artists. Each piece was open to title suggestions from viewers.

E Pluribus Unum

E Pluribus Unum featured 16 artists, working on their own and collaboratively, along the theme: e pluribus unum — from many, one.

That Thing You Hate

With the help of mentors, three artists dedicated themselves to tackling some aspect of art they recognized as having value, even though they disliked it.

Nation of Immigrants

A group of 24 artists, many of whom are immigrants themselves, created work that represented immigrant stories ranging from the Mayflower to the present day.

Don't Read This

Don't Read This encouraged viewers to consider the visual and aesthetic aspects of language, through preempting the ability to read that which was written.

Unfinished

Every artist has pieces sitting in the studio unfinished. A group of artists exchanged unfinished pieces, and finished them for these shows, one in Bountiful, and one in Provo.

Self Expression

20 artists explore the possibilities of self portraiture beyond representing the physical person of the artist, delving instead into other aspects of self.