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Lauren Cross                 
 
Lauren Cross is an interdisciplinary artist/filmmaker, curator, and scholar whose work has been screened and exhibited across the country. Cross earned her BA (2006') in Art, Design, and Media from Richmond, the American International University in London, England, and her MFA (2010') in Visual Arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She is a Ph.D candidate in Women's Studies with a concentration in Multicultural Studies at Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX.

Cross' feature film, The Skin Quilt Project, was an official selection for the 2010 International Black Women's Film Festival in Berkeley, CA and screened at various museums, universities/colleges, and community organizations across the country. She is a passionate advocate for diversity in the arts, and has written and contributed research in fields of women's studies, visual studies, and multicultural studies. In 2013, Cross was among three Fort Worth artists selected for the 2013 Fort Worth Weekly Visionary Awards.
 


Artist C.V.
 
Education
Lesley University
MFA in Visual Arts, January 2010
Thesis Title: Questioning Colorism in the African-American Community
MFA Studio Mentors: Jan Marshing, Ceci Mendez, Howardena Pindell, and Rene Cox
 
Texas Woman’s University
Ph.D. Candidate in Women’s Studies, concentration in Multicultural Studies
(Expected graduation December 2014)
Dissertation Title: WoCA Projects, Building Communities Through Exhibitioning: Curating and Creating Spaces for Women Artists of Color
 
Richmond, the American International University in London, England
Bachelors of Arts in Art, Design, and Media, May 2006
 
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington Texas
BFA student in Photography & Media Arts, 2001-2004
 
Awards, Honors, Fellowships & Residencies
2013
         Fort Worth Weekly’s Third Annual Visionary Award, Fort Worth, Texas
 
2010
         The Skin Quilt Project, Official Selection at the International Black Women’s Film Festival,         
         Berkeley, CA
 
         Artist-in-Residence, Studio 370, Holliston High School, Holliston, MA
 
2009-2010
         Graduate Research Fellowship, Graphic Design, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
 
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
 
2015
         South Dallas Cultural Center, “Lauren Cross,” Dallas, TX.
 
2010
         Studio 370, “ Nombre Diversity: New Work By Lauren Cross,” Holliston, MA.
 
2004
         Art Gallery at University of Texas at Arlington, “Covered,” Arlington, TX.
       
Group Exhibitions
 
2014
         Artspace 111, “Annual Regional Juried Exhibition,” Fort Worth, TX. Jurors. Ron Tyler,        
         former director/curator Amon Carter Museum of Art, and Andrea Karnes, curator at Fort Worth                  Modern Art Museum.
 
2013
         Grackle Art Gallery, Fort Worth, TX.
         ArtSpace 111, “Third Annual Visionary Awards,” Fort Worth, TX.
 
2012
         Armory Center for the Arts, “MIA (MOVING IMAGES IN THE ARTS) Screening Series,”
         Pasadena, CA.
        
         Gallery 76102 at UTA Fort Worth Center, “897 Square,” Fort Worth, TX.
 
2011
         Plano African American Museum & ArtCentre of Plano, “The Skin Quilt Project:       
         Uplifting Our Culture, Celebrating Tradition,” Plano, TX.
        
        
         Museum of African Diaspora, “Textural Rhythms: Constructing the Jazz
         Tradition,” exhibition programming: film, San Francisco, CA.
        
         Cameron Arts Museum, “From Heart to Hand- African American Quilts from the     
         Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts,” Wilmington, NC.
 
2010
         H.E.R.E. Project at Rice University, “ Hearts, Hands & Heritage: The Patchwork         
         Soul of Women,” Houston, TX.        
 
         Towne Art Gallery at Wheelock College, “The Skin Quilt Project: Uplifting Our           
         Culture, Celebrating Tradition,” Boston, MA.
        
         Drive-By ,”Who am I? ” Watertown, MA.
        
         Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, “MFA Graduate Exhibition,” Boston, MA.
 
2009
         Cushing-Martin Gallery, “ Faculty Exhibit,” Easton, MA.
        
         Rescue, “Junko Revival,” Boston, MA.
        
         South Shore Art Center, “Color Matters,” Cohasset, MA, National Juried Exhibition, Juror, Jen                  Mergel, Contemporary Art Curator, MFA Boston, MA.
        
         Cushing-Martin Gallery “Intersexions,” Easton, MA.
 
2007        
         Real Art Works, “Slide Slam,” Hartford, CT.
 
2006
         Richmond, American International University, “ Yellow Noise,” London, England.
 
2005
         Richmond, American International University, “Liaison de Trace,” London, England.
 
Exhibitions As Juror
 
2014
         “On Our Own Time,” North Texas Business Council for the Arts, Juror, Dallas, TX.
 
2013
         “A Seat At The Table: An Exploration Through Artist’s Books,” WoCA Projects, Co-Juror, Fort                   Worth, TX.
 
          “On Our Own Time,” North Texas Business Council for the Arts, Juror for Deloitte corporate                      exhibition in Dallas, TX and the University of North Texas university-wide competition in Denton,            TX.
 
         “Artrageous! Crazy! Cool!,” Juror, Visual Arts Guild of Frisco/Frisco Arts Association, Frisco                     Discovery Center,  Frisco, TX.
 
Curated Exhibitions
 
2014
         “The Hoodie Project: Works By Susan Sponsler,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX.
        
         “Auto-biography: Artists (Re)Writing and Telling Histories,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX.
 
2013
         “A Seat at the Table: An Exploration Through Artist’s Books,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
         “Art + Hair: Narratives Through Stylized Consumption,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
         “The Exchange: A Portfolio By Bump It Mafia,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
         “Epitome and the UnConcept: Sculptures by Hiroko Kubo,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
         “Eco-Impressionism: The Visual Journal of Coco Rico,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
         “From Black to Daylight: Caricatures, Obscurities, and Cultural Illuminations by Joy Ude,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
         “Street Immersions(s): Drawings by Linda Lucia Santana,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
         “Entertaining the Life: Desha Dauchan and Joy Ude,” WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
 
2011
 
         “The Skin Quilt Project: Uplifting Our Culture, Celebrating Tradition,” Plano African American Museum & Art Centre of Plano, Plano, TX
 
2010
         “The Skin Quilt Project: Uplifting Our Culture, Celebrating Tradition,” Town Arts Gallery at Wheelock College, Boston, MA
 
 
Teaching
August 2012-May 2014
August 2010-May 2011
            Adjunct Professor, Art Appreciation & Humanities
            Ranger College, Ranger, TX
            Fine Arts Department
  • teach face-to-face, ITV, and online Art Appreciation courses, including units on Photography, Visual Literacy, New Media, and the elements and principles of design.
  • Teach online Humanities courses including units on fine art, music, and philosophy.
  • develop course curriculum, assessments, and course materials for courses.
  • create special class experiences to engage directly with art or the humanities.
 
August 2010–Current
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX
Women’s Studies Department
  • design course marketing posters for U.S. Women of Colors course and for departmentally-sponsored events.
  • teach and assist both online and face-to-face WS courses, such as, Gender & Social Change: An Introduction into Multicultural Women’s Studies & U.S. Women of Colors.
  • develop curriculum, assessments, and course materials for courses addressing specific issues on diversity and inclusion.
  • invite guest lecturers and speakers to discuss special topics.
 
August 2008-May 2010
            Adjunct Professor, Digital Imaging/Graphic Design
Stonehill College, Easton, MA
  • manage and create curriculum for digital-imaging/graphic design courses.
  • teach one or two Introduction to Digital Imaging courses.
  • provide insight and feedback for departmental course objectives.
  • prepare professional development materials for students interested in the graphic design field.
 
January 2010- May 2010
            Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design
            Mount Ida College, Newton, MA
  • create curriculum for sophomore-level graphic design course.
  • prepare and manage students for sophomore portfolio review, which decides whether students can advance in the graphic design program.
  • provide insight and feedback for departmental course objectives.
  • organize guest lectures with noted graphic designers and media arts professionals in the Boston area.
  • curated Fashion Design Illustration contest with the Fashion Design department.
 
 
Work Experience
November 2012-present
Founder/Curator
WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, Texas
  • manage, direct, and develop artistic programming, such as art exhibitions, which promotes diversity through the visual arts and highlight women artists of color.
  • oversee fundraising campaigns and fiscal budgets.
  • oversee, edit, and proofread gallery press releases and promotional materials.
  • coordinate marketing outlets for the gallery through social  and print media,
  • oversee local art events, such as artist receptions, lectures, and panels.
 
January 2003-present
            Fine Artist
            Lauren Cross Studio, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX & Boston, MA
  • create conceptual-based art using interdisciplinary mediums such as, photography, print media, time-based media, and mixed-media installations.
  • address themes that relate to race and gender identity, popular culture, media representations, historic events & narratives, and the “collective” experience.
  • curate group and solo exhibitions.
 
August 2009-present
Film Director & Producer
Maes House Productions, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
  • research and develop new film projects.
  • develop production schedules and appointments for film projects.
  • develop videography and editing for film projects.
  • hire assistants and contract artists for film projects.
  • promote and market film projects to publications, film festivals, programmers, and institutions.
  • strategize and organize film distribution into diverse markets.
 
May 2006-present
            Principal Designer & Photographer
            Shalom Images Enterprises, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
  • produce art-inspired event and portrait photography.
  • create in-print marketing products (i.e., advertisements, flyers, posters) for art non-profit organizations, artists, and musicians.
  • produce layouts for independent publishing projects and strategically design brand identity products, such as logos, web designs, and other marketing materials.
  • design music packaging and authoring products for indie musicians and filmmakers, such CDs & DVDs.
 
January 2009-December 2009
Editorial Research & Marketing Associate
Glimpse Journal, Cambridge, MA
  • research, manage, and recruit potential contributing writers and artists to the publication.
  • write articles, interviews, and reviews for publishing.
  • develop ideas and direction on editorial and image content for each issue at
editorial team meetings.
  • contribute feedback and direction on the overall design and image of the publication.
  • provide marketing and promotional consultation to increase publication visibility and influence of the brand identity.
 
February 2008-September 2009
Director of Gallery & Museum Advertising
Art New England magazine, Boston, MA
  • manage, design, edit, proofread, and copyedit gallery and museum advertising for publication.
  • develop relationships with local arts institutions as the community liaison for the publication.
  • manage and sell advertising accounts to regional art galleries and museums.
  • research and recruit new clients for gallery and museum advertising.
  • organize and manage media sponsorships and partnerships with local arts galleries and museums for the publication through events and media sponsorships.
 
January 2009- May 2009
            Curatorial/Exhibitions Intern
            Axiom Center for New and Experimental Media, Boston, MA
  • assist with installation and de-installation of season exhibitions.
  • offer gallery tours of exhibitions.
  • manage all artist materials for exhibitions (i.e., CVs, images, statements).
  • maintain gallery space pre and post exhibition.
  • assist with curatorial process in the creation of exhibitions, and exhibition space design.
 
June 2003- August 2003
         Photographer & Graphic Design Intern, Recreation Division
         U.S. Department of Interior
         Bureau of Land Management
         Boise, ID
  • photographed regional recreation sites featuring the grounds and recreationists.
  • located recreational landmarks using geographical mapping.
  • designed brochures and promotional materials for regional recreation sites.
 
 
Documentaries
Directed/Produced
2010 Mae’s House Productions, director/producer, “The Skin Quilt Project.”
 
Featured
2007 Harvard Graduate School of Education, featured artist in ”Young Artists-As-Activists.”
 
Bibliography
Mariani, Anthony, “Third Annual Visionary Awards.” Fort Worth Weekly. 2013 March 20.
Women’s Caucus for Art. “Bound.” exhibition catalog. New York, NY, February 2013.
Stephens, Andrea. “TWU doctoral student tackles colorism, quilting, forgotten black traditions. TWU Lasso. 2010 October 21.
Stiman, Meaghan. “Lauren Cross.” Intersexions,” exhibition catalog, Cushing Martin Gallery at Stonehill College. November 9-December 11,2009.
Tseng, Hsiang-Ching. “Junko Revival shows trash can be turned into beautiful art.” Allston-Brighton Tab. 2009 July 20.
Wulff, June. “Piece by piece.” Boston Globe. 2010 October 26
 
Arts-Based Lectures & Presentations
2014
         National Women’s Studies Association
         Annual Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico
“Women’s and Gender Studies as Womanist Curatorial Practice: On Being a Artist-Curator-WS scholar and Using Non-profit Artspaces for Social Justice”
         Paper presentation
 
2013
         Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX
         Global Connections Event
         “Global Art, Activism & Social Justice” documentary screening & panel
         Panelist
 
         Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX
         WS 2013 Course Panel Discussion on ‘Women Creating Culture”
         Panelist
 
         University of North Texas, Denton, TX & WoCA Projects, Fort Worth, TX
         Graduate Museum Education Program
         Speaker
 
         University of North Texas, Denton, TX
         Art Education Secondary Methods course
         Lecturer
 
2011
         Museum of African Diaspora, San Francisco, CA
         The Skin Quilt Project: Film Screening and Discussion
         “Documenting The Skin Quilt Project” presentation
 
2010
         Wheelock College, Boston, MA
         The Skin Quilt Project: Uplifting Our Culture, Celebrating Tradition.
         Film Screening & Panel Discussion
         “Documenting The Skin Quilt Project” presentation
        
         Rice University, Houston, TX
         Hearts, Hands, and Heritage: The Patchwork Soul of Women
         Panel Discussion: Panelist
         “The Story Behind The Skin Quilt Project” presentation
        
         Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX
         The Skin Quilt Project: Film Screening and Discussion
         “Documenting The Skin Quilt Project” presentation
 
         Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
   Unpacking Collections: The Legacy of African American Quilt Scholar Cuesta Benberry Symposium
         Film Screening and Discussion
         “Documenting The Skin Quilt Project” presentation
          Stonehill College, Easton, MA        
         Film Screening & Discussion
        
         New England Quilt Museum, Lowell, MA
         Lowell Film Commission
         Film Screening & Discussion
 
         Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University
         MFA in Visual Arts
         Artist Talk: “ Lauren Cross: The Representation of Colorism Narratives in Art”
 
2009
         Auburn University, Auburn, AL
         Gender Studies Department
         “The Making of The Skin Quilt Project” lecture & discussion
 
         Stonehill College, Easton, MA
         Intersexions: Artist Panel
 
Publications
Refereed Publications
Cross, Lauren. “Mothers-for-natural-hair:The Afro-cyberella’s Social Media Guide to
Afrocentric Hair,” Mothering and Literacies. Demeter Press.
(Publication date, May 2013).
 
Non-Refereed Publications
Cross, Lauren, “Color-Struck: Quilting and Colorism in the African-American
            Community” Glimpse Journal. Color. vol 2.3, autumn 2009.
Cross, Lauren, “Interview: Hewlett-Packard Color Scientist, Nathan Maroney,”
            Glimpse Journal. Color. vol 2.3, autumn 2009.
Cross, Lauren, “(Re)view: Mahjong at the Peabody Essex Museum,” China Vision, Part II,
            vol 2.2, summer 2009
Cross, Lauren, editor & writer, CVAAD Projects,  2009-current
Cross, Lauren, editor & writer,  Lauren Cross’ Art blog,  2008-
         current.
 
Arts-Related Research
June 2012-August 2012
Graduate Research Assistant, Health Studies (assisting Dr. Kimberly Parker)
Texas Woman’s University
  • assist Health Studies faculty member with research on African American women, risk-taking in sexual practices, and HIV/AIDS.
  • researching funding opportunities for HIV/AIDS research.
  • Research and assist in the development of creative interventions for the rise in HIV/AIDS in African American women through spoken word and photo-voice exhibitions.
 
August 2009-May 2010
            Graduate Research Assistant, Visual Research & Graphic Design
            Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
  • manage and document student experiences in the Visual Research Graphic Design course, using photography and writing on the course blog.
  • interview students about their experiences in the course.
  • collect survey data for the Design Instinct research project, which looks at the importance of graphic design for student learning.
  • document the Design Instinct research presentations.
 
Professional Affliations
College Art Association
Independent Curators International
Texas Women’s Caucus for Art
 
 


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  • ARTISTS
  • EXHIBITIONS
    • UPCOMING
    • CURRENT
    • Past
  • NEWS
  • INFO
  • CONTACT