Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelley Holcomb.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.|
I’m an artist, originally from Starkville, MS, graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in painting, then moved out to Los Angeles. I’ve worked for numerous LA galleries, artist studios, and several digital marketing gigs. My work utilizes a variety of media, including video, installation, large-scale paintings and works on paper, sculpture, performance and cultural experiments. I’ve exhibited globally in multiple institutions including the Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh, NC, Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, CA, the Jepson Center in Savannah, GA, Attleboro Arts Museum, and Gagosian Gallery, Beverly Hills. I currently run the digital art platform Curate LA, co-founder of Whits & Giggles, a sex talk show on NTS Radio, and as well as manage digital media at one of the leading architecture schools… in addition to my art practice.
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel very fortunate in my journey, but it definitely hasn’t been easy. Coming from Mississippi where there aren’t many opportunities for women artists or persons of color, and moving to Los Angeles, where I knew no one involved in the art scene here, I’ve experienced a lot of fuckery. As with most mainstream markets, the art world is notoriously white, male and rich, and it has been an uphill battle trying to make a place for myself.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Curate LA story. Tell us more about the business.
Curate LA is Los Angeles’ most comprehensive art discovery platform. I created it along with my cofounder, Alex Benzer, to promote the economic and cultural development of Los Angeles by making its artistic ecosystem radically accessible to everyone.
Los Angeles is well known for being difficult to navigate for both art viewers and artists who are looking to show their work. When I started the platform almost 4 years ago, I felt like there was such a lack of diversity in the way the art scene was being represented, so I decided to create my own way to promote and give shine to artists who I thought deserved it. We now have a collective following of over 100k viewers and we focus our efforts on supporting marginalized artists such as Women, Artists of Color, Queer artists, and artist-run spaces.
We revolutionize the way people see art and the way people navigate the city. We are driven to connect and promote the artistic community in our beloved LA, so that it can see its whole self and continue to grow as an international art capital.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
There is a lot of potential for growth as L.A.’s art scene is growing exponentially. We know we’ve played an integral part in this and we will continue to further push our agenda along with aid in the expansion of L.A. art community. We’re also starting a sister platform in Mexico City.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.curate.la
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @curate.la
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/curateLA
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/curate_LA
- Other: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/curate-la/id1031474729?mt=8
Image Credit:
Curate LA 2018 anniversary: Eric Minh Swenson
Curate LA app launch party: Shasinbu
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
