A lot goes into curating places for proper enjoyment and consumption. Our panel discussed enriching the architecture of a space through intentional design and representation. The Inclusive Art Experiences by Design webcast welcomed Leila Grothe, Associate Curator for Contemporary Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) for an explorative dialogue that highlights the changes being made at the museum, and exciting recent and future exhibits. Quinn Evans had the liberty of working with the BMA on the Ruth R. Marder Center for Matisse Studies, a new space dedicated to the study of French artist Henri Matisse that will shine a spotlight on the largest and most comprehensive collection of works by the artist in a public museum. Matisse: The Sinuous Line will open on December 12 and is the first exhibition to be shown in the center.
Learn more about our speakers:
Leila Grothe is an Associate Curator for Contemporary Art at The Baltimore Museum of Art. Grothe was previously the Associate Curator at the Wattis Institute at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, working largely with emerging and mid-career artists such as Rosha Yaghmai, Yuki Kimura, and Melanie Gilligan. Along with her work at CCA’s Wattis Institute, Grothe has been a guest lecturer and advisor to the CCA Curatorial Practice graduate program. She has also worked as the Director for Curatorial Affairs for the 500 Capp Street Foundation, the collections manager for the Joyner/Giuffrida collection, the Assistant Director of External Affairs at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts, and as a project manager for Creative Time in Dallas. Grothe has an MA in Curatorial Practice from California College of the Arts and a BA in Art History with Honors from Southern Methodist University.
Allison McElheny AIA, LEED AP BD+C, and Associate at Quinn Evans is a talented designer and creative thinker that seeks the simplest and most elegant solutions to address client requirements. She believes in the power of design to affect positive change for individuals, communities, and the future of our shared environment. Allison’s portfolio includes adaptive use and renovations of cultural institutions and urban landmarks. She also works closely with university and school clients to deliver thoughtfully designed classroom buildings, K-12 projects, and campus plans.
Alyson Steele, FAIA, LEED AP, Principal and Director of Design at Quinn Evans has an approach to design that enables cultural institutions to address new audiences while enhancing their buildings’ and sites’ essential character. She utilizes facilitation, graphic representation, and digital technology to develop solutions that make history and meaning tangible. Alyson enjoys engaging and empowering diverse stakeholder groups to create authentic and inclusive experiences of shared cultural places—making these places stronger, more dynamic, and better connected to their communities.
