Richmond BC, Canada #richmondartgallerybc
Artists, writers, curators, and administrators will benefit from the group discussion with Birch that will follow his presentation. This session is ideal for those interested in hearing how gallery exhibitions are formulated with curators, artists and the community, as well as providing some examples of how artists develop art projects that engage in contemporary art issues and topics in a specific community.
Session Format:
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About the Presenter:
Jesse Birch is a curator, writer, educator, and artist who was born and raised in Nanaimo, BC. Jesse has lived in Vancouver, Seoul, Kyoto, and Amsterdam, and in 2014 he returned to the Island with his partner and son to reconnect with his home community and join the team at Nanaimo Art Gallery. He is grateful to live in this dynamic and beautiful place, stewarded by the Snuneymuxw people since time immemorial.
Birch holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts (Photography) from Emily Carr University (2001), and a Masters of Arts degree in Art History (Critical and Curatorial Studies) from the University of British Columbia (2008). In 2007, he was a curatorial fellow at de Appel arts centre in Amsterdam. Birch was Co-Director/Curator of Access Gallery in Vancouver from 2008 to 2010 and Exhibitions Curator at Western Front from 2012-2014. He has also served on the Board of the Or Gallery (Vancouver) and was active with the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres. Recent curatorial projects include a trilogy of exhibitions that set the resource industries that built the small coastal town of Nanaimo in international dialogue through contemporary art. Birch has published in numerous exhibition catalogues and art magazines including C Magazine, Yishu, and fillip. In 2013, he received the Art Writing Award from Ontario Association of Art Galleries for his essay on artist Kika Thorne for the Art Gallery of Windsor. From 2009-2013 Birch taught at Emily Carr University in the Critical and Cultural Studies faculty.
The Artist Salon is an opportunity for emerging and established visual artists to learn from arts professionals and discuss opportunities in the arts community. Each month presents a different guest presenter for inspirational talks and professional development advice for visual artists. The 2021 Artist Salon Series is supported by the City of Richmond, Arts and Culture Grant.
