As a curator, I look for connections that are not initially obvious. I will often pair people with different approaches under common themes that help tell a unified story. Whether it’s a series of murals or a series of zines, my vision is to create community and inspire conversations.
Faesthetic Magazine (2001-Present)
Faesthetic has grown from a photocopied zine to a high-quality arts magazine & platform with international participation. I provide artists with a compelling theme and the challenge of a limited color palette, to create exciting results. Since 2001, I have amassed an incredibly large (700+), talented network of artists to work on a variety of applications and surfaces. More information at Faesthetic.com
In 2022 I celebrated the 20th anniversary of You Are Beautiful - Co-curating an issue with YAB founder Matthew Hoffman.
In 2018, myself and Karen Ingram, collaborated with SXSW for a special edition.
Used as the catalog for their art programming, the SXSW issue was featured by Artnet as part of the 6 big ideas in art 2018!
In 2015, I collaborated with the Toledo Museum of Art for a special edition of Faesthetic,.
It was also used as the catalog for their summer "Play Time" themed show.
www.PeaceFlagsOn.Earth (2021)
With a desire to put out some good vibes after a complicated and painful year, I invited a group of 14 US-based artists and designers to create 16 "Peace" themed flags. These 3' x 5' flags were available in a time-based edition, sold for a month during the Spring, 2021. 100% of the profits went to charity: 80% to Artists For Peace & Justice and 20% to The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.
Flag orders shipped with a copy of Faesthetic 16, the 20th-anniversary issue. Designs were created by Yusuf Lateef, Rick Valicenti, Ed Fella, Cody Hudson, Eileen Tjan, Justin Krietemeyer, Jason Sturgill, Jeremy Dean/DES Studio, Julian Glander, Amir Fallah, James Dickerson, Haik Avanian, Prate™, & Dan Funderburgh.
Momentum - Water Street Murals (2020)
In response to the pandemic, Toledo’s 3 day Momentum Festival event evolved into a month long, self-led public art tour. As part of of this new celebration, I was invited by the Arts Commission to curate a series of 3 murals that appear on the river side of the Junction Building on Promedica’s campus, just north of Promenade Park in Downtown Toledo.
Artists Louise Jones aka OUZI (DTW), Yusuf Lateef (TOL), and Maya Hayuk (NYC) were chosen for the project.
Below are photos taken by from my instagram feed as well as professionally shot by Doug Hinebaugh for the Arts Commission.
Toledo Lucas County Public Library / Your Chapter Awaits (2020)
I had the pleasure of working with the Library to curate a series of posters, showing signs of life and thoughts of the future while we are all living through the uniqueness of 2020. Images were created by: Natalie Lanese, Adrian Lime, Osi Okoro, Matt Taylor, Mercé Lanise Culp, Brad Scherzer, & Yusuf Lateef and the poem on each poster was written by Jodie L Summers. I’m really proud of how this represents Toledo. More information about the project can be found here: toledolibrary.org/yourchapterawaits
Momentum - You Are Beautiful / You Are Doing Great (2019)
Momentum is a three day arts and music festival in along the waterfront of downtown Toledo, Ohio. For the 2019 event I worked with the Arts Commission to have artist Matthew Hoffman create a two sided You Are Beautiful sculpture. It has since found a semi-permanent public home across the river at Toledo’s International Park.
Toledo Zoo Tunnel (2018)
The Toledo Zoo reopened their WPA era tunnel after decades of being shuttered. The goal was to give the tunnel a big city subway vibe with graffiti featuring colorful words and animals. I worked with the Toledo Arts Commission, the Zoo and a good internet friend to bring the “MFK” crew to Toledo. Artists included Novel, Wasp, Eugher, Spud, Exhaust, Timmy, Jig, 404 Era, Wruk, Snack & Fatigue.
Peter Gendron (2015)
A group show dedicated to the inventor of the modern spoked bicycle wheel. It took place during Toledo's iconic Artomatic 419 event, and featured contributions from Chad Kouri, Keith Greiman, Matthew Hoffman, Michelle Duni, Josh Byers, Yusuf Lateef, Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch, Damien Correll and Jason Vahle.
Busy Beaver Button-O-Matic series #10 (2009)
A small edition of buttons for Busy Beaver's Button-O-Matic series. Featuring work from Tim Biskup, Spacesick, Damien Correll, Jennifer Daniel, Nicholas Gazin, Ginette Lapalme, Travis Millard, STEAK MTN, Luke Ramsey & Geoffrey Todd Smith.
Threadless "Select" Series (2007-2009)
I pulled in over 100 artists for a sub-line of t-shirts produced by Threadless.com.
This Must Be The Place (2009)
A group show at the Scion Space Gallery in Culver City, CA. The show featured a limited color palette and the theme of "Home." The artist roster for the show included Gluekit, Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch, Damien Correll, Joel Speasmaker, Matt Curry, Skull Phone, Dan Funderburgh & Jemma Hostetler.
Bespoke (2009)
I curated a backdrop Fashion Week show at the Museum of Art and Design in NYC for Bespoken New York. The show included work from Fumi Mini Nakamura, Nick Tassone, Matt W Moore, Dan Funderburgh & Bradley Askew.
Different Points (2006)
I put together a group photography show featuring work from Ben Loiz, Saiman Chow & Mike Giant at Table Brothers Gallery in New York.
Accident Happy (2005)
A generative digital art show featuring work from Derrick Hodgson, James Paterson & Joshua Davis at Alfred University.
Postcard Series (2004)
I co-curated a group project featuring work from 10 artists for the left leaning Downtown 4 Democracy.
Make Art Not War Poster Series (2004)
Currated group project with Clamor magazine featuring work from Shepard Fairey, Cody Hudson, Kozy-n-Dan, Faile & myself!
ZROX (2004)
Co-curated show for Chicago's Versionfest featuring over 50 artists.
8.5 x 11 (2003)
A show at 55DSL's New York City, Union Square flagship store. The opening was a massive undertaking, and featured the work of 100 artists all thumbtacked to the walls. Talk about sore fingers!
