The Fresh Perspectives cohort with artist Damon Brown

What is art curation? That’s the question that ten young adults (ages 17-20), led by teaching artist Hasaan Kirkland, are working to understand during this summer’s Fresh Perspectives program. Coordinated by The Office of Arts & Culture and funded by Seattle City Light’s 1% for Art Fund, this intensive summer employment opportunity provides a dive deep into the world of art curation and administration.

Started in mid-June and continuing through August, the cohort has been attending studio visits with artists, museum tours with curatorial staff, and professional lectures and workshops, culminating in two main projects – an exhibition at ARTS at King Street Station and an artwork purchase recommendation for the City’s Portable Works collection.

The overarching goals of the program are to Familiarize BIPOC young adults with arts administration and curatorial experiences; Research artist selection, artwork evaluation, exhibition installation and audience gallery experiences; Expose young adults to curatorial professionals; Support young adults with career industry experience; and Honor BIPOC culture, creativity, intelligence and expression.

The exhibition, FRESSSSSH!, will open on First Thursday, August 1 and feature five local artists: Damon Brown, Warren A. Pope, Warren W. Pope, Aramis Hamer, and Kellie Colemon. The cohort visited each artist’s studio, learning about their practice and collaboratively selecting work for the exhibit, as well as writing all the supporting exhibit materials. FRESSSSSH! is an insightful visual narrative exploring the cultural heritage and the creative blending of generational intuition about what exists within our shared human experiences that open our senses to the level of something deemed as “Fresh.”

Also part of the summer curriculum is a purchase recommendation for the City’s portable works collection. The collection features over 3,000 works of art that are 2D and small-scale sculpture and displayed throughout the City’s offices and public interior spaces. Established in 1973, the collection is continuously growing, with new artwork added to the collection regularly. The cohort will bring a “Fresh Perspective” in artwork to the collection that is relevant and significant to young adults. They’ll visit Seattle City Light offices and interview staff to gain an understanding of the impact of artwork in City spaces.

Special thanks to presenters, including Negarra A. Kumudu, Jackie Peterson, May Praseuth, and the organizations MoPOP, Tacoma Art Museum, Wa Na Wari, Seattle Art Museum, Arte Noir/Gallery Onyx, and The Wing Luke for graciously hosting.

2024 Fresh Perspectives Cohort