art. It is exciting that these regional artists were in a show with her and that she went on to that. Curating a show that connects different artists’ ways of thinking about things—artists have been dealing with color forever—is exciting for students so that they can see how color is being used in all of these different approaches in various media.
What is the most difficult show you’ve curated? It was in that first space in Savannah. The artists ripped big long lines out of the walls with double-sided sticky tape instead of using easily removable sticky putty. We had the next exhibition to install that night. It was four in the morning and we still had to dry the spackle; I had to beg and plead for volunteers to stay and help me— volunteers get scarce after midnight. We were hanging the last work as the food came in for the reception. Then I made a list of materials you couldn’t use on gallery walls. I learned my lesson.
Why did you come to the Pacific Northwest? A little bit randomly. I was in Tucson and was in the best position possible with an MFA. There was no place to move up. It was also too hot in Tucson! I didn’t want to spend another summer there. I looked on the west coast, first at San Francisco. Someone suggested Portland and I have a former roommate from Sewanee who lived here so I came to visit. Just like Sewanee with the drive up, I was sold getting off the MAX in January in the rain. My friend said if you like it now you will like it year-round. It felt like home. There was a warm and welcoming arts community. Everyone wanted to meet and talk to me when I had nothing to give them. They were keeping me in the loop in a fun, gracious way.
Did you meet Terri and then come to The Art Gym or vice versa? Someone brought me to The Art Gym my first summer in town, 2008—I was just amazed at the space. I think I met Terri then. I came back every time I could; I loved The Art Gym. It happens to people. You just have to come here once and then it is always on your list of favorite spaces. Later, Terri created a collaboration between academic spaces, a series of exhibitions called Perimeter. She came to meet with me and asked me to curate one of the shows at the Archer Gallery. It was great to get to work with her on that project.
What would be your dream exhibition? That’s hard. I don’t want to slip and tell any of my programming plans until I am ready to announce them.
What is the favorite museum you’ve visited recently? The Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. My sister lives in D.C. and of course her favorite museum is the only one that doesn’t have free admission. It is a great museum that shows modern and contemporary art. A lot of the charm is in the intimate setting; the collection is in the former Phillips family home. I really enjoyed seeing Jacob Lawrence's The Migration Series depicting African Americans moving north to find work; it is beautiful and powerful and impressive that it was done in the 40's.
How does it feel to follow in Terri’s footsteps? Wonderful; she’s made me welcome in every way. I know she’s been so great in this position so it could be daunting—she’s not making it daunting. She gives support in everything that I am doing, including making changes as I see fit. She’s really a dream mentor.
How will you make your mark? Well, my curatorial vision will be somewhat different from Terri’s in any number of ways. I’m interested in continuing this rich history of contemporary art but contemporary art will shift. That is a question that time will tell—how will the Pacific Northwest change? I’m also going to work on color promotional materials. I’d like to podcast artists’ talks in the gallery. One series of exhibitions will include a mixture of regional artists and artists who are outside the region, to show a greater context of contemporary art. The Art Gym Gallery Hours Tuesday-Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public
Many thanks to The Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Foundation for their $1.25 million grant, of which $1 million is a challenge to endow The Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Director and Curator of The Art Gym and Belluschi Pavilion! Help us reach our million dollar goal by making a gift to The Art Gym. Visit www.marylhurst.edu/give and select "The Art Gym Endowment Challenge" on the giving form, or call 503.699.6251.
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