Critical Mass for the Visual Arts is a nonprofit, self-formed visual arts collaborative dedicated to promoting, enhancing and initiating contemporary visual art in the St. Louis region.
Latest:
5 Questions-Terry Suhre
This episode we’re chatting with Terry Suhre as he reflects on his 25 years as director of Gallery 210 at UMSL. Terry shares his insights and gives us a lot to think about. He holds a B.F.A. in Painting from the University of Illinois- Urbana/ Champaign (1976) and a M.F.A. in Painting (1980) from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Terry Suhre was the Director of Gallery210 for 25 years, and was Research Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Prior to Suhre’s appointment at UMSL in 1996, he was director for five years at the Catherine Smith Gallery at Appalachian State University, Boone North Carolina, where in addition to the curatorial, administrative and teaching duties he oversaw the visual arts component of An Appalachian Summer. Suhre began his career at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield where he worked from 1980-1990. Since 1983 he has organized and curated over 125 exhibitions. In addition to his university teaching and gallery responsibilities Suhre serves on several community arts boards and is active as a guest curator and juror. Terry is responsible for incredible shows including Damon Davis’ Negrophillia, as well as shows by Basil Kincaid, Jess. T Dugan, and the gallery’s annual Exposure series, which provides a showcase for emerging artists in the St. Louis Area.
MAPS + Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Local Artist Roundtable Video and Audio Available
Midwest Artist Project Services (MAPS) and Critical Mass partnered to present a virtual local artist roundtable on Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 pm. The conversation centered on the impact of the pandemic on artists and reimagining creative life after. It asked the following questions: How have artists adapted their practices? What are valuable resources? How do artists think creatively about the future, especially reimagining systems? It is our sincere hope this is a meaningful opportunity to share stories and ideas, connect, and deeply reflect. The conversation was moderated by Vanity Gee—writer, musician, cultural producer, mother—and includes Rachel Youn, Simiya Sudduth, and Jayvn Solomon. The event was captured in poetry by Sahara Sista SOLS.
Announcing 12th Annual Creative Stimulus Awardees!
Critical Mass for the Visual Arts is pleased to announce the winners of the 12th annual Creative Stimulus Award. This year’s selected artists are José Guadalupe Garza, Simiya Sudduth, and Chloe West. Creative Stimulus awards unrestricted funding to support artists to pursue special projects, experiment with new techniques, and deepen their understanding of their working processes. The artists were selected by a jury that included Terry Suhre, former director at Gallery 210; Gavin Kroeber, Studio for Art and Urbanism; and artist Asma Kazmi. Each artist receives an award of $1,500 for their use as creative operating capital. Media Contact: Meridith McKinley- See press release.
