Virtually There: Three area curators give us their picks for digital arts content

If you’re a patron of the arts, by now your inbox has been flooded with newsletters promoting virtual exhibitions, digital programming, zoom talks with curators, quirky social media initiatives (anyone want a cat as a pen pal?) and more.

In Miami, our robust and impressive arts professionals are quite possibly working harder than ever to bring us all virtual experiences that are worth the click. But how do you sort through the deluge of content? We can’t answer that one, but we did gather together three Miami curators to share their favorites and fill us in on their inspirations during this time of social isolation.

Amanda Covach, Curator of Education at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami

Covach, an interdisciplinary sculpture artist herself, heads up MOCA’s museum’s educational programs. The museum’s programs serve families, K-12 school students (especially teens), adults, members and persons with disabilities. During the quarantine the young curator has been teaching livestream classes for MOCA Teen Art Force and much of her feedback on virtual programming has been pro-education.

“As our parents have become the educators and administrators of the day to day, along with handling their own tasks or remote work, they appreciate educational content that their kids can engage with in a self-motivated way.”

As for what she is personally into, the Young At Art Museum and FIU alum says she’s enjoying seeing new acts of creation and imagery coming out of local artists’ studios.

“Artists opening up their studios virtually and sharing their space has been like a peek into their thought process.”

She also recommends Locust Projects and Emerson Dorsch’s digital content.

“I loved Locust projects latest blog entry with Onajide Shabaka, and Emerson Dorsch’s studio visit with Frances Trombly, who is a great artist and supporter of unconventional arts education.”

Dr. Amy Galpin, Chief Curator, Frost Art FIU

Galpin is a Miami transplant who arrived on the scene a little over two years ago and has made the most of her time here. Aside from her own curatorial work, she is a major champion for the local arts scene.

“Some people love all of the content and others feel overwhelmed by it. Personally, I responded to the sense of community...”

Along Galpin’s recommendations is Oollite Arts resident Sasha Wortzel’s nightly presentation of the sunset on Instagram live.

“Watching Wortzel’s live stream can be both healing and meditative and her approach to nature in this moment aligns with her ongoing research project on the Everglades.” @sashawortzel

Leilani Lynch, Curator, The Bass

Originally from San Francisco, Lynch relocated to Miami for a summer internship at The Bass, joined the staff, left, and then rejoined the staff three years ago. One of her specialties is producing experimental exhibitions, which she has created at the Bass and at Locust Projects.

Lynch has been enjoying revisiting past projects and exhibitions (with new eyes)from fellow institutions and spaces in the area, as well as new projects that are taking shape during this time that support and delve deeper in artists’ practices, like The Fountainhead Residency’s #artistsopenonline.

She has also enjoyed “digestible” content produced by her colleagues and peers.

“I’m heartened by content that makes me feel close to the arts community, like short talks and conversations, themed reading lists, sneak-peaks into artist’s studios...these add glimmers of hope for the future to my day.”

As for her own Museum, the Bass is among the many arts institutions shifting their focus from IRL to VR!

“I’ve been busy along with my colleagues...we’re coming up with new activations for our Bass2 virtual gallery, so stay tuned!”

*Erica Corsano is a multimedia journalist with almost two decades of experience as a storyteller. She currently serves as the head of content at The Jewish Museum of Florida and The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University. Follow her @ericacorsano.

This story was originally published April 18, 2020 at 1:02 PM.