Momentum Curator: John Seward

Thoughtfulness is required of those who judge art. The curators chosen for 2010 Momentum possess this quality in abundance. Hopefully the following profiles will give some insight into the people behind this art judging process.

Momentum Curator Profile: John Seward

During the past forty years John Seward has contributed to Oklahoma’s cultural landscape as an artist, curator, volunteer and business owner. After graduating from Oklahoma City University with a degree in psychology, he co- founded and ran Hobby Lobby Stores until 1994. Beginning in high school his artistic output has included watercolor, photography and mixed media which has shown in many venues including the Oklahoma City Art Festival and Mainsite Gallery in Norman. Recently he served as the Interim Director of Untitled [Artspace].


Seward cites creating cohesive exhibits as the greatest curatorial challenge. To accomplish this he tries to approach the jury process as a blank slate open to thematic links that may emerge. When looking at individual pieces he often finds that finishing details determine whether or not a work is ready to be shown. He finds this particularly important when curating an event like Momentum where lack of context can make an artist’s intent unclear.


-Guest Blogger: Josh Buss
Photo of John Seward visiting Spotlight artist Geoffrey Hick's studio: by Candace Coker

View, Purchase and Experience Artwork from Oklahoma’s Emerging Young Artists at Momentum OKC on March 5 & 6, 2010 at 410 SW 3rd in Oklahoma City. Deadline to submit art is February 20. See the full call for artists here.