Katherine Whitlock
Katherine Whitlock
Artist / Curator / Writer / Project Manager
Los Angeles, CA
www.katherinewhitlock.com
instagram @whitlock.studio
instagram @kaydubbellyew
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“Project managing would be the simplest way to describe what I do— whether it’s for others or for myself. ”
I thrive when I’m able to curate art exhibitions, write and edit words (press releases, interviews, other copy), correspond with artists and writers, delegate tasks, make lists, maintain timelines, etc. My goal is to exhibit, elevate and nurture alternative perspectives other than my own in order to develop a greater public understanding. I do like to include my own perspective every now and then, too. I do so by illustrating large scale maps commissioned by private clients for their homes and/or offices. I love how my maps combine client perspectives and my own story to create a truly special result. In addition to cartography, I make my own fine art prints to sell on my website with a portion of the proceeds going to charitable organizations that are aligned with my beliefs. The latest collaboration is with NatureBridge, a non-profit organization that teaches environmental literacy to urban youth and those who are not normally exposed to the outdoors. I am an avid marathoner and hiker, so combining these aspects of my personality with the art I make fulfills me.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I never stop brainstorming ways to connect with my friends and colleagues in order to create something bigger than ourselves. I am surrounded by so many amazing people, and meet new ones each day. I always find it fun to try and see how each person can or will fit into the myriad of ideas that are floating around in my brain. I am always hungry for a new perspective, I ask questions, and I am often scared of what I’ll find out. But that’s has made the days here in Los Angeles so incredibly interesting over the past ten years. I’m in a constant state of absorbing information, and I am aware that sometimes it becomes a daunting task to analyze it all. This is where collaboration for a clear vision comes into play. I am excited to share knowledge, and what others would like to share with me! I’ve worked in so many positions- personal assistant, art advisor’s associate, operations manager, associate producer, editor in chief, gallery associate, artist, writer, copy editor, artist liaison, just to name a few.
How do you stand out in your field?
I do my best to talk to everyone and create an environment where opinions are welcomed, and people feel safe to voice them. I also want to make sure stories are recorded properly, and whether that’s through an art exhibition, map, or written word, it is important to figure out the best means of representation.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I am currently working on writing all of the press releases for La Luz de Jesus Gallery’s 2019 roster of art exhibitions in addition to attending studio visits and assisting in the curation and sales of artwork. I am planning a trip to Idaho for an artist work/residency in early 2019, and have been working on some drawings that will be for sale on my website in the next coming months.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is very open ended and adapts to collaborators. Doing this takes me out of my comfort zone and helps me increase empathy and gain new skills.
For example:
Since 2008, I worked closely with the McCall Family Foundation to co-curate and coordinate fresh stART- a one night art event that, since its 2001 inception, has raised over $1.5 million for non-profits such as Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), LA’s BEST, and Para Los Niños. In addition to co-curating, my role at the McCall Family Foundation consisted of creating online artist contracts, building and maintaining artwork databases, implementing a point of sale platform, communicating with 10+ curators and over 150 artists from all over the United States, as well as hiring and training fresh stART interns. My success with fresh stART led to my position as Executive Associate at McCall Art Advisory from 2010 - 2016. www.freshstartart.org
In 2015, I received the Fellows of Contemporary Art Curator’s Lab Grant that gave me the opportunity to work closely with five Los Angeles artists to develop and curate an exhibition called Uncommon Ground which emphasized the use of the alphabet as a system. Uncommon Ground received reviews most notably from Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles (CARLA) and LA Weekly.
I am the editor of the 140+ page Ben Medansky Book that culminates five years of Medansky’s art and design practice. The book includes a chapter titled, “Fired By The Fire,” named after Medansky’s circumstantial exhibition featuring work excavated from his fire ravaged studio of that I curated in November of 2016 alongside Jennica Atkinson at Lawson - Fenning in Los Angeles.
Recently, I worked as an advocate to build partnerships between emerging artists and galleries. I worked alongside artists Lilian Martinez and Lorien Stern, connecting them both with Ochi Projects in Los Angeles. With my help, Lilian Martinez was featured by Ochi Projects at the prestigious 2017 NADA Art Fair in New York, and Lorien Stern’s first solo show titled, Stardust was exhibited at the Ochi Projects space from June 3 - July 2, 2017.
In April of 2018 I was the resident artist at the Chalkhill Artist Residency in Healdsburg, California. I made a 5 x 6 foot map of the 250 acre property that includes all of the structures, animals, and natural flora and fauna of which I encountered during my three week stay. It was magical!
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I wish I could do more research. I love researching in order to foster new ideas.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I think the hardest thing for me is outreach through social media. I’m not as social media savvy as I’d like to be.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would invite someone for $20/hr to brainstorm ways that would increase social media presence. It is my goal that to make a message clear, and allowing a different person’s understanding/perspective always helps to reiterate and establish a stronger intelligence of the exhibit, artwork, or idea I am trying to convey.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I don’t look back on things I wish I did, but I do like this quote:
“Be the person you wanted to be yesterday.”
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
The one thing I would ask would be, “how were you able to get people to listen to your cause?”
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’m looking for Project Management opportunities, Illustrated map commissions, copy editing jobs, press release writing/editing, curatorial work, art consulting opportunities, artist liaison correspondence, event planning (with a non-profit twist preferably).
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I would love to help organize, manage, edit, and make sure everyone is happy with working toward a common goal. I love seeing a goal realized, a finished product, and a job well done. For example, Jennica Atkinson and I worked together to create the 145 page Ben Medansky Book that surveys works by Medansky from 2010 - 2015. We communicated so well with each other, remained super positive in stressful printing and editing deadlines, and produced something no less than a work of art that we are both so proud of. AND we became the best of friends.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My day rate is $250
My hourly rate is $35
I am open to contract work
I am open to freelance work
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Send me an email with a question in the subject line! It could be about anything! It could be about nothing! It could be an entire paragraph! It could be one word! I don't care.
I think it's important for someone to be upfront about what they want- what better way to do it than a creative subject to an email. I usually can tell if we'd work well together this way =)
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I run and make sure I can breathe.
This member profile was originally published in January 2019.