Ashley Stull Meyers assumes key role in Portland’s art community effective Oct. 18, 2017
The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Director and Curator of the Art Gym and Belluschi Pavilion, Ashley Stull Meyers, will assume her position at Marylhurst University on October 18, 2017. Stull Meyers steps into a key role in the Portland art community. Widely known for its diverse programming and support of regional artists, the Art Gym remains one of the most prominent contemporary art venues in the Pacific Northwest. It has showcased the work of more than 300 artists, produced hundreds of exhibitions, hosted as many public conversations and published more than 77 exhibition catalogs and books.
Ashley Stull Meyers is a writer, editor and curatorial collaborator. Stull Meyers’ interests include the research of marginalized histories, site-specificity and exploring the boundaries of traditional media. She describes her curatorial methods as being “invested in the queering of public space by alternative models for exhibition (including use of digital platforms and print media publications) and the centering of artists of color.” She has curated exhibitions and programming for the Wattis Institute (San Francisco, CA), Eli Ridgway (San Francisco, CA), Oakland Museum of California, Newspace Center for Photography (Portland, OR) and Bridge Productions (Seattle, WA).
“I’m deeply committed to the Art Gym’s regional focus and look forward to expanding our geographic and art historic conceptions of the ‘Pacific Northwest’ as a region,” Stull Meyers said, indicating that showcasing artists from Alaska and British Columbia is one way the Art Gym may redefine the region it serves. “Arts in the Northwest have been deeply influenced by oft forgotten histories of indigeneity, social practices and the diaspora of makers of color. Marylhurst as a progressive educational institution is uniquely positioned to host artists working within these legacies,” she said. Stull Meyers hopes to increasingly host artists on the Marylhurst campus for site specific events and installations.
Most recently, Stull Meyers was an adjunct lecturer at Wichita State University and outreach coordinator for the artist-in-residence program at c3:initiative in Portland. She is currently the Northwest editor for Art Practical and has contributed writing to Bomb magazine, Rhizome, Arts.Black and SFAQ/NYAQ.
Stull Meyers brings an academic perspective to her art programming, as well. Research-oriented and historically minded, she has completed academic residencies at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts (Omaha, NE) and the Banff Centre (Banff, AB). She completed her Master of Curatorial Practice at California College of the Arts (San Francisco, CA).
The Art Gym at Marylhurst University is nationally recognized as being at the forefront of contemporary art in the Pacific Northwest for nearly four decades. The Art Gym is a non-collecting, non-commercial gallery that supports artists pursuing ambitious, risk-taking projects at key stages in their careers. The mission of the gallery is to increase public understanding of contemporary art through exhibitions, publications and public engagement.
Founded in 1893, Marylhurst University is a premier, not-for-profit, professionally focused liberal arts and business university. Marylhurst’s community of scholars, professionals and artists offers exceptional master’s degrees, bachelor’s degree completion programs, courses, continuing education and impressive arts, music and cultural events.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Pederson, Communications & Content Manager, 503.699.6247, kpederson@marylhurst.edu