portfolio
Selection of work from 2014 - 2024
Artist's Way Project
June 2023 - Present
Grand Rapids, Michigan
"The Artist's Way Project" in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a community-driven initiative curated by Shannon Mack and Mallory Shotwell, operated through Cultivate, an independent arts organization. Now in its second year, this project is generously funded by the City of Grand Rapids and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. It is inspired by Julia Cameron's influential book, "The Artist's Way," which is widely recognized for its approach to unlocking creativity and personal growth.
Photo of contemporary dance ballet company, Deos Ballet, performing for the Artist's Way Project. 2023.
The project ambitiously commissions 12 artists to engage with the community through a series of 12 workshops, each corresponding to a chapter of Cameron's book. These workshops are meticulously designed to foster deep, personal engagement with the transformative principles of the text, encouraging participants to explore new artistic territories and overcome creative barriers.
In addition to the workshops, "The Artist's Way Project" includes guerrilla art initiatives that transform urban spaces with interactive installations, making art accessible and stimulating public dialogue on creativity's role in society. The project also features a curated speaker series that brings together diverse voices from the realms of art, culture, and mental health, enriching the communal learning experience.
​
This holistic approach extends beyond individual creativity, viewing artistic expression as a vital community resource that can catalyze social change and foster inclusivity. By integrating innovative art practices with community engagement, the project not only nurtures the local cultural landscape but also sets a sustainable model for integrating arts into community development.
Overall, "The Artist's Way Project" aims to democratize art access, using creativity as a tool for empowerment, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. It seeks to nurture a sustainable artistic ecosystem in Grand Rapids that is reflective of and responsive to its diverse community, establishing a model for how arts can play a transformative role in urban settings. This project not only emphasizes the importance of artistic expression as a communal asset but also showcases the profound impact of integrating arts into the fabric of community development.
'Suspended Self: The Liminal Space of Breast Cancer'
December 2017-Present
Madison, Wisconsin - Grand Rapids, Michigan
'The Suspended Self: Liminal Space of Breast Cancer" is an art project curated by Mallory Shotwell that explores the profound personal and social impacts of breast cancer. This work delves into the transitional and often indeterminate experiences of those affected by the disease, capturing the nuanced states between health and illness. The project uses various artistic expressions to communicate the complexities of navigating life with breast cancer, highlighting the emotional and psychological liminality that patients and their families endure.
Photo of 'Scars' work series by Mallory Shotwell.
'Changemakers'
August 2019
Madison, Wisconsin
"Changemakers" was an interactive art installation created by Mallory Shotwell for the Cap Times Idea Fest. This piece allowed festival participants to engage directly with the theme of change. Participants were invited to write their desires for change on one side of a wooden circle and attach it to a clear Plexiglas sheet mounted in the foyer of Shannon Hall at the Memorial Union. As more contributions were added, one side of the installation displayed a collection of community hopes for change, while the other side transformed into a colorful mosaic, visually representing the collective aspirations and diversity of thoughts among the participants.
Photo from the Idea Fest event, the piece is a detail of 'Change Makers.'.
Shotwell's concept for "Changemakers" emphasized the individual's power to enact change, not only within themselves but also within their broader communities. By engaging with others, asking significant questions, and exploring ideas collaboratively, the artwork demonstrated that everyone has the capacity to be a changemaker. The physical assembly of the piece in a public space underscored the idea of community involvement and collective action, aiming to inspire ongoing dialogue and action beyond the confines of the festival. This project not only highlighted the interactive nature of public art but also reinforced the festival’s focus on enhancing civic discourse and community engagement.
Joy/Happiness:
A Practice in Creative Placemaking
Oct 2016-June 2017
Madison, Wisconsin
"Joy/Happiness: A Practice in Creative Placemaking" was an extensive project developed by Mallory Shotwell that aimed to transform Madison, Wisconsin, through art, fostering community engagement and well-being. This project was grounded in positive psychology, with a focus on enhancing happiness through creative and communal activities. Over the course of several months, the project centered around themes such as Gratitude, Kindness, Mindfulness, Play, Routines, Relationships, and Perspective, each designed to deepen participants' connection to their community and personal well-being.
Photo from the 'Joy/Happiness" project. Photo by Wisconsin State Journal.
The project featured a series of monthly events that included a philosophy-themed "Happy Hour," various art workshops, and interviews focused on understanding and cultivating happiness. These activities were designed not only to engage but also to empower residents to take active roles in beautifying and influencing their community spaces positively. Workshops such as "Frame of Mind" and "ThanksMaking" invited participants of all ages to explore happiness and gratitude through interactive, artistic expressions and printmaking.
​
Significant to the project was its approach to public interaction and art installation, which included activities like "Discovering Happiness within Your Relationships" and "Happy to Be Here," where participants created meaningful art reflecting personal experiences and community bonds. These workshops were held in collaboration with local organizations like Polka Press and the Goodman Community Center, enhancing their reach and impact.
​
An innovative element of the project was the secret missions shared on the project's Facebook group, designed to spread kindness and joy anonymously throughout Madison. One of the largest public engagements was a city-wide "pay it forward" coffee chain, which successfully involved over a thousand participants and inspired similar acts of kindness across the city. This event not only highlighted the community's capacity for generosity but also demonstrated the project's profound impact on Madison's social fabric.
Overall, "Joy/Happiness" not only provided a platform for artistic expression and community building but also significantly contributed to the cultural and emotional landscape of Madison, proving the powerful role of art in enhancing community life and personal happiness.
Municipal
December 10, 2016
Madison, Wisconsin
"Municipal," a pop-up art event, took place on December 10, 2016, at the Madison Municipal Building just before its closure for renovation. This historic building, located at 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, was transformed into a dynamic art space for one day, showcasing a diverse array of installations, dance, music, and interactive art across its 75,000 square feet. Organized by Trent Miller of the Madison Public Library's Bubbler Program in collaboration with Arts + Literature Laboratory, Madison Community Discourse, and Bethany Jurewicz's Apartment Project, this event drew an impressive turnout of about 100 artists.
Photo from the 'Municipal' exhibition. Piece by Malory Shotwell.
The exhibition was a farewell tribute to the building, offering the public a last glimpse before its $20.8 million renovation. The artists involved had the unique opportunity to display their work in an unconventional setting, making use of the empty spaces to explore and express the theme of "Municipal" through various mediums. The event featured over ten installations, each encouraging active participation from the audience, thereby blurring the lines between observer and creator.
Highlights of the event included interactive installations where visitors could leave their impressions and thoughts, such as a bulletin board inviting responses to what people love about Madison. Live music performances added a dynamic layer to the experience, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrated the arts and community spirit.
This initiative not only served as a creative outlet for local artists but also demonstrated the potential of underutilized spaces as platforms for cultural expression and community engagement. The success of the event underscored the importance of such artistic endeavors in fostering a vibrant cultural scene and enhancing public interaction with the arts.
Courage
June, 2015
Art In, Madison, Wisconsin
The 2015 "Art Exhibition on Courage" was organized by Mallory Shotwell, who established the nonprofit organization Madison Community Discourse. This event marked the second annual art exhibition hosted by the organization, held at Art In in Madison, Wisconsin.
The exhibition focused on the theme of courage and featured a variety of art forms including sculpture, mixed media, drawing, photography, painting, illustration, sound explorations, and printmaking. Over 40 artists participated, each creating a new piece specifically for the exhibition to ensure a collection of fresh perspectives on the theme.
Photo from the 'Courage' exhibition
Throughout the nine-month project leading up to the exhibition, the community engaged in numerous art workshops held across the city in unconventional art spaces. These workshops were designed to gather stories from the community about personal experiences with courage. The stories collected were integral to the development of the exhibition, adding a personal and communal depth to the artworks displayed.
​
The impact of the exhibition was significant, fostering community interaction and dialogue through the shared exploration of what courage means in different contexts. The opening reception featured interactive art installations, a live string quartet, and refreshments from a local bakery, making it a culturally rich community event. Additionally, the exhibition was designed to be highly interactive, with ten components that transformed viewers into active participants, further deepening their engagement with the theme.
The week-long exhibition also included a variety of daily events aimed at all ages, from children's art classes and storytelling sessions to adult workshops on art journaling and printmaking. These activities not only enriched the community's experience of the exhibition but also showcased the ongoing programs that Madison Community Discourse would continue to offer, emphasizing the nonprofit's mission to connect the community through collective experiences and art.
A Study on Love
June 2014
Absolutely Art, Madison WI
"A Discourse on Love" was a comprehensive nine-month initiative in Madison, Wisconsin, orchestrated by Mallory Shotwell that delved into all forms of love—romantic, familial, self, past, future, and friendship—through a city-wide series of art workshops, interviews, and public exhibitions. The project spanned numerous unconventional art spaces across Madison, fostering widespread community engagement and participation. These workshops were designed to provide diverse groups with the means to express and reflect on their experiences of love through various artistic mediums, integrating the community into the fabric of the project.
Photo from the 'Study on Love' exhibition
The core of the project involved conducting over a hundred interviews that captured a wide range of personal love stories and reflections, which were then shared anonymously with the broader community, adding a deeply personal touch to the public discourse on love. These narratives were featured in various settings, including a major exhibition at Absolutely Art, which also served as a platform for displaying artworks created during the workshops and interactive installations that encouraged viewer participation.
​
In addition to visual art, the project included a music variety show that complemented the theme of love with performances that varied in tone and style, enriching the sensory experience of the attendees. A significant element of the project was the creation of a large mural by Michael Owen, which visually tied the local discussion to the broader national dialogue on love through public art. This mural became a focal point of the project, symbolizing the unity and diversity of love's expressions within the community.
​
The project's culmination at Absolutely Art featured an opening reception that drew over 2,000 participants, underscoring the project's impact and the community's engagement with exploring love's many dimensions. "A Discourse on Love" successfully used the arts as a conduit for exploring and discussing complex emotions, demonstrating the power of creative expression in fostering understanding and dialogue across diverse groups. Through this extensive and inclusive approach, Shotwell not only highlighted the universal nature of love but also demonstrated how art can bridge personal experiences with collective insights.