The Royall Family Curator

Park Christopher Myers

1708 Gallery is pleased to name Park Christopher Myers as the Royall Family Curator. This new position is supported by Pam and Bill Royall, and with foundational assistance from Culture Works. It reflects the gallery’s aim to expand its programming, to forge stronger relationships with artists, to invest more intentionally in artists’ development, and to thoughtfully engage our diverse audiences. The curatorial position is a 3-year appointment that will continually bring new voices and perspectives to our city.

Myers brings to 1708 a curatorial vision that is intelligent and thoughtful. His practice is both conceptually oriented and underscored by an awareness of the role in which exhibition design informs the gallery visitor’s experience and creates a sense of accessibility. Myers’ contributions will extend beyond the exhibitions and programs that he presents through 1708. He will be an advocate for and ally of emerging artists and also established artists working in an emerging way. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team. - Emily Smith, Executive Director

Park Myers is a curator from Houston, TX, formerly based in New York City. He studied Film and Video at the Maryland Institute College of Art and holds an M.A. from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College. He has organized exhibitions and worked on projects in many places, among them Actual Size, LA, Komplot, Brussels, the Steamboat Springs Arts Council, Steamboat, CO, the Hessel Museum of Art in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, and the Copenhagen Art Festival. Publications include The Cure, published by Komplot, and Dear Helen published by CCS Bard. He is a co-founder of aCCeSsions an online journal for exploration in interdisciplinary curatorial practice. Myers’ current research directions involve embodied cognition, complex systems, non-traditional forms of exhibition contextualization, and the interaction of these fields of study with contemporary art.

As 1708 Gallery approaches its 40th Anniversary I am excited to tap in to the long history of artists and supporters. In addition, I look forward to broadening the scope at 1708 both in exhibitions and public programming. I aim to bring a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and inclusive approach to each aspect of this position, and to dive in to the vibrant contemporary art community of Richmond and 1708 Gallery. - Park Christopher Myers