Emily Kern: Momentum Tulsa Curator

Serving as the curator for the 10^th anniversary of Momentum Tulsa, Emily Kern directs the 108 Contemporary showcasing fine, handmade contemporary craft in a wide range of media as one of the newest galleries in Tulsa’s Brady Arts District.

Momentum Curator Emily Kern

Kern earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in painting and sculpture and her Masters of Science in Entrepreneurship. With this background she managed a variety of business and worked in the fine art print studio of Universal Limited Artist Editions in New York.

“Working at ULAE gave me more appreciation for artistic processes, helped me understand more about the business of selling art, and gave me experience working with artists," Kern noted.

With this high caliber print studio experience, she got 108 Contemporary’s gallery up and running. Her combination of business expertise and art sensibilities allows her to oversee the organizational aspects, such as memberships, as well as the artistic aspects, such as monitoring exhibition installation, and organizing workshops.

Artwork by Curator Emily Kern

A past Momentum Spotlight Artist and OVAC intern, Kern has a unique perspective in curating the exhibition and mentoring the artists.

“I hope to help this year's Spotlight Artists clarify their point of views so that their pieces are as strong as they possibly can be,” said Kern.

For Kern, “Momentum was "crucial in helping me develop my concepts and body of work,” and she knows how hard it is for emerging artists.

Kern observed, “Encouragement can be hard to come by when you are emerging, and Momentum provided that for me and hopefully will provide that for the 2013 artists.”

Submissions for Momentum: Art Doesn’t Stand Still are due by September 5 at 5 pm. Oklahoma artists aged 30 and younger are eligible. 

Guest curators for Momentum Tulsa are 108 Contemporary Director Emily Kern and emerging curator, Krystle Brewer. The curators selected three artists for Spotlight awards, for which the artists receive $2,000 and three months of curatorial guidance. Momentum Tulsa opens 8 p.m. until midnight, October 12th, 2013 at Living Arts, 307 E. Brady in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gallery hours will continue through October 24.