Photograph of artist. Part of breast cancer art project, visually articulating an experience where a breast cancer patient described
their cancer as a "fog that they are lost in." Photograph by Mallory Shotwell.
Exploring resilience, social practice art, and transformative storytelling through interdisciplinary art and curatorial leadership.
Mallory Shotwell is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and arts leader whose work bridges art, education, and community engagement.
She is the former Founder and Director of Cultivate, an artist-run arts organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she led programs that supported nearly 1,000 students and 100 artists through exhibitions, workshops, and community partnerships. Mallory’s curatorial and artistic practice focuses on creating spaces for dialogue and connection, integrating themes of resilience, care, and transformation.
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Her professional experience spans curatorial leadership, arts education, and innovative programming, with a commitment to accessible and inclusive arts practices. Mallory has curated impactful exhibitions such as 'It Takes a Village' and 'Embodied Homescapes', emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and audience engagement. She is also a dedicated educator, having developed arts programming for all ages and designed workshops addressing topics like creative resilience and storytelling.
Mallory is passionate about advancing the role of art in fostering connection, community, and cultural understanding. She is actively pursuing opportunities to lead transformative arts programming at the intersection of education, curation, and social engagement.