Curating Community: Jennifer Zwilling on Art, Creativity & Philadelphia
Jennifer Zwilling is the curator and director of artistic programs at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. With a background in art history and a passion for connecting people to art, Jennifer has extensive experience in the art world. She is dedicated to supporting artists and engaging the community through exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives.
Jennifer shares her background and journey in the art world. From falling in love with museums as a child to studying art history and decorative arts, Jennifer's passion for connecting people to art led her to her current role at the Clay Studio. She discusses the mission of the Clay Studio, which focuses on serving artists and the community through various programs and initiatives. Jennifer also highlights the importance of clay as a medium and the power of creating something with one's own hands. She emphasizes the role of curating as a creative pursuit and the collaborative nature of the process. Jennifer discusses the highs and lows of her role, including the joy of collaborating with artists and the challenges of budgeting. She also shares her perspective on the unique creative economy in Philadelphia, which is characterized by collaboration, affordability, and artist-run organizations.
In the course of this episode, we explore:
- Jennifer's childhood fascination with museums and her academic pursuit of art history, exploring how these threads wove together to lead her to her pivotal role at the Clay Studio.
- The Clay Studio's multi-faceted approach to serving artists and the community, dissecting the impactful programs such as the Claymobile initiative and exhibitions that form its vibrant tapestry.
- The profound connection between clay as a medium, history, and empowerment, as we unravel the capacity of this material to bridge eras and empower creators.
- The world of curating with Jennifer as our guide, as we uncover the creative art of conceptualizing exhibitions, artist collaborations, and crafting the viewer's immersive experience.
- The unique facets that define Philadelphia's creative economy, including collaboration, affordability, and the dynamic presence of artist-run organizations, as we explore its distinctive artistic landscape.
Learn more about The Clay Studio Here: https://www.theclaystudio.org/
Join us as we delve into the art of curation and the unique role of Jennifer Zwilling at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. Explore the highs and lows of her career and gain insights into the vibrant creative economy of the city.
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This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.
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Creators and Guests
Host
Rob Lee
The Truth In This Art is an interview series featuring artists, entrepreneurs and tastemakers in & around Baltimore.
Guest
Jennifer Zwilling
Jennifer Zwilling is the Curator and Director of Artistic Programs. She joined The Clay Studio in 2015 and administers the Resident Artist Program, Exhibitions, The Collection, and the Guest Artist in Residence Program. She earned her BA in History from Ursinus College and MA in Art History from Temple University, Tyler School of Art. Previously, she was Assistant Curator of American Decorative Arts and Contemporary Craft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Jennifer developed and taught History of Modern Craft at Tyler School of Art for ten years, and has taught and lectured around the world. She represents TCS as a founding Board Member of CraftNOW Philadelphia.
Guest
The Clay Studio
The Clay Studio is a nonprofit educational institution, gallery, and studio dedicated to teaching, creating, supporting, and promoting the ceramic arts.