MALLORY  SHOTWELL

Mallory Shotwell’s curatorial practice emphasizes the creation of meaningful exhibitions and programs that explore themes of care, resilience, and the complexities of the human experience. With extensive experience as a curator and juror, her work prioritizes collaboration, accessibility, and fostering dialogue between art, artists, and diverse audiences.

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Curatorial Statement

Shotwell approaches curation as a platform to connect communities with art that challenges perceptions and inspires critical reflection. Her exhibitions often center on interdisciplinary collaborations and address themes of identity, care, and social change. By designing exhibitions and accompanying programming that encourage active engagement, she seeks to create spaces where audiences can experience art as both personal and collective exploration.

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Projects such as 'It Takes a Village' and 'Embodied Homescapes' exemplify Shotwell’s commitment to using art as a vehicle for community connection and empowerment. Her work as a juror complements her curatorial practice, allowing her to recognize and support artistic excellence while fostering equity and inclusion in the selection process.

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Curatorial Projects
 

Juror and Guest Curator Work: (selected)

2024: Guest Juror / Arts Council of White Lake Center, Whitehall, Michigan
2024: Guest Juror / Brighton Art Guild, Brighton, Michigan
2022: Guest Juror / ArtPath 6 / Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center, Lansing, Michigan
2021: Guest Curator / CSArt / Avenue for the Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2016: Guest Curator / Municipal / Madison Central Library, Madison, Wisconsin

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Curatorial Experience: (selected)

2024: Curator / [because] you're mine / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan

2024: Curator / Bridge Work: A Regional Exhibition / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2023: Curator / Michael Pfleghaar: A Mid-Career Showcase / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2023: Curator / Illegal Art: Participatory Exhibition / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2023: Curator / Embodied Homescapes / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2023: Curator / We ARE Here: More Than Just a Number / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2023: Curator / The Earth and Its Inhabitants: New Media and Installation Exhibition / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2023: Curator / David Najib Kasir: Solo Exhibition / Cultivate, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2022: Curator / It Takes a Village / World of Winter, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2020: Curator / All Prize: Noel Ash and Emma Pryde / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2019: Curator / Verse / Us: Language and Power / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2019: Curator / 2019 CSArt Exhibition / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2019: Curator / All Prize: featuring Adriana Barrios and Taylor Rushing / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2019: Curator / Postmodern / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2019: Curator / Bridge Work / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2018: Curator / Women Against Hate, United by Love / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2018: Curator / 2018 CSArt Exhibition / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2018: Curator / Conflict and Peace: A Youth Perspective / Communication, Madison, Wisconsin
2018: Curator / The Pervasive Curse / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2017: Curator / This Would Have Meant Something Once / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2017: Curator / 2017 CSArt Exhibition / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2017: Curator / Chris Maddox / Derrick Buisch / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin
2016: Curator / It Can Happen Here / Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin

Public Art
2024: Artist’s Way Project, Grand Rapids, MI – Collaborative, city-wide public art initiative.
2023: Artist’s Way Project, Grand Rapids, MI – Continuation of community-focused public art programming.
2022: It Takes a Village, World of Winter Festival, Grand Rapids, MI – Participatory public art project emphasizing collective action.

Approach and Methods

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• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Shotwell’s curatorial practice integrates artists working across mediums to develop exhibitions that address contemporary issues with depth and innovation.

• Community-Centered Programming: Her exhibitions are accompanied by programs such as artist talks, workshops, and panel discussions, which encourage dialogue and foster accessibility.

• Critical Evaluation as a Curator and Juror: In her role as a juror, she evaluates artistic contributions with an emphasis on creativity, technical skill, and societal relevance, promoting equity and representation across artistic disciplines.

Shotwell’s curatorial philosophy is rooted in the belief that art can serve as a transformative force for connection and societal reflection. Her work is defined by a dedication to inclusivity and the creation of spaces where art can inspire dialogue, challenge norms, and foster a shared understanding of the human condition.