The Nomadic life of Art -

Virginia Isaad/Roundup

There is hope for art history majors. Guest speaker Robin McCarthy visited Pierce College on Wed. 0ct. 20 to lecture students on the possibilities of a career working with traveling exhibitions. McCarthy’s lecture provided students with insight into the real world happenings in the realm of art consulting.

“It is informative to place roles in context,” said Monika Del Bosque, professor of art history.

McCarthy, a University of California, Berkeley (UCB) graduate of art history, has worked as a curator and arts management consultant for over 20 years. While working for the late Dennis Hopper as vice president of creative affairs for Alta Light Productions, her “curatorial spark really ignited.” As a curator, she is responsible for acquiring and caring for art pieces as they travel to various museums.

Hopper, who McCarthy says used “man’s marker for graffiti art,” taught her how “images function as stories in our culture.” In 2009 she launched her business, Forma Projects 21 (FP21) after working for 12 years as director for Curatorial Assistance Traveling Exhibitions (CATE).

“I wanted to do something different and have more control in shaping projects,” said McCarthy.

She encourages students to develop experience in order to find their niche.

Regardless of their major, students are also encouraged to intern in their preferred field.

“I got my first job in a gallery after being referred by a dealer I interned for,” said McCarthy.

After developing some work experience, McCarthy decided to pursue a master’s in Organizational Management at Antioch University.

When asked if all students should pursue graduate studies, McCarthy emphasized the importance of “thinking outside the box and getting first hand experience,” rather than immediately entering a post-graduate program.

In keeping with her passion for emerging artists, McCarthy cites meeting and learning about new artists as the most fulfilling aspect of her job.

“Universities especially allow for experimental shows with less established artists. It’s very interesting,” McCarthy said.

Traveling exhibitions are fully developed exhibitions that are leased to hosting venues for a limited time for a fee or shared costs, according to information provided by McCarthy.

The various logistics of organizing a traveling exhibition include budget planning, marketing, and production.

“The devil is in the details,” McCarthy said when explaining to students that there will always be last minute challenges in every project.

After wearing many different hats in the business of art consulting, McCarthy has embraced her role as principal and arts management consultant for FP21.

Meanwhile, she also stresses the team effort that’s behind every exhibition.

“Few projects are recognized solely, it takes a team,” McCarthy said.

Every aspect of putting a show together, from lighting to the sequencing of objects, are established by the artist and executed by FP21 in the hosting venue.

The goal is to have a continuous show that runs for at least three years with about two-three years of planning, according to McCarthy.

The future of FP21 looks bright in the eyes of McCarthy, who focuses on sustainable exhibitions so as to provide an environmentally friendly service.

“I see the company growing,” McCarthy said. “We already have about 10 projects in the works.”

As for the future of traveling exhibitions, McCarthy believes venues will always be open to the plethora of artworks available for showing.

“There is a lot of space that needs to be filled,” McCarthy said.

When asked what the best advice she’d ever received was, McCarthy replied “do what you love and the rest will follow.”

Lectures are funded by the Associated Student Organization and the Pierce Foundation, for more information on future lectures, please contact Monika Del Bosque: [email protected]

Breakout Box:

Who: Robin McCarthy

What: Forma Projects 21- an art-consulting firm

Where: FORMA PROJECTS: 21

324 Sunset Avenue

Suite D

Venice, CA 90291

[email protected]

Links:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/robin-mccarthy/11/4a6/3b6

http://www.formaprojects21.com/

http://www.piercecollege.edu/webapps/news/viewarticle.asp?ID=1413