Plug Projects” This project is a curatorial collaboration by five Kansas City artists (Nicole Mauser, Amy Kligman, Misha Kilgman, Cory Imig & Caleb Taylor) who share the mission of bringing fresh perspectives and conversations to the local art community through a new, collective artist-run space. Their goal is to energize artists and the public at large by exhibiting challenging new work, initiating critical dialogue, and expanding connections of artists in Kansas City as part of a wider, national network of artists.

These artists have secured a location in the West Bottoms district of Kansas City. The space is currently undergoing renovations and will house both a 350 square foot exhibition space and their individual artists’ studios. They will be sharing responsibilities through a collaborative organizational model.

Exhibitions will feature nationally recognized artists from outside of Kansas City and also give exposure to less visible regional talent. They will feature artists who are pushing the boundaries in various disciplines, and focus on solo and small-scale group exhibitions of up to three artists per show.

In addition to the five shows that PLUG will curate annually, the project space hopes to host one exhibition curated by another artist-run space, one exhibition curated by an art publication, or one “artists choose artists” invitational exhibition.

They will also hold a “Critique Night Series” led by local critic Blair Schulman, along with a small rotating panel of established writers, curators and artists from the community. Artists will be invited to present and engage in open critical dialogue about their work.

The Plug Projects website will be a curatorial extension of the project space, extending the conversation beyond the gallery walls. It will include a newsfeed, archive of artists and programming, and a curatorial blog. The blog will feature other artists whose work relates to the work on view, critical writing and resources that relate to the themes of the exhibitions, and host international guest curators who will create online satellite exhibitions.

About the Artists

Cory Imig is an interdisciplinary artist currently working in Kansas City, Missouri. She received her BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2008, where she studied fibers and sculpture. After graduation Cory attended residencies at Virginia Commonwealth University and The Vermont Studio Center. She has participated in numerous shows in the Kansas City area most notably a two-person show, Pitty Pattern, at the Kansas City Public Library with artist Garry Noland in 2010. She has an upcoming show with Urban Culture Project in September. www.coryimig.com

Amy Kligman has a BFA from Ringling School of Art and Design (2001), and maintains studio practice in painting and mixed media. Upcoming exhibitions include solo commitments at the Lawrence Art Center and Kansas City Artists Coalition, as well as two person shows at Porter Art Gallery (Missouri Western University) and Harry Krug Gallery (Pittsburg State University). Amy’s work is exhibited and collected nationally via group shows (New York, LA, San Diego, Austin, Seattle, Miami), and solo shows (Kansas City, Portland, Cleveland, and Detroit). Full artist’s resume and work samples are available at amykligman.com.

Misha Kligman was born in Kazan, Soviet Union in 1978, and has been living in the US since 1995. He received an MFA in Painting and Drawing from University of Kansas in 2009, and BA in Art from Cleveland State University in 2000. Most recently Misha’s work has been shown in a solo exhibition titled “The Scent Of Time” at the Kansas City Artists Coalition. Misha’s forthcoming group and two-person exhibitions are planned at the Kansas City Jewish Museum (Overland Park, KS) and Harry Krug Art Gallery (Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS). www.mishakligman.com

Nicole Mauser obtained an MFA from The University of Chicago (2010), and BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design (2006). Her work has been featured in AR Gallery in Milan, Centre for Art and Culture in Aix-en-Provence, Scope Art Fair, Dolphin Gallery, Carrie Secrist, New American Paintings, Benefactor Magazine, Kansas City Public Television, and New City Magazine. Mauser has participated in the Urban Culture Project Studio Program, the Kemper Museum Artist Talk Series, and was awarded an Arts Council Student Grant for research in Berlin. Currently, Mauser is a 2011 Post-MFA Teaching Fellow at The University of Chicago. www.nicolemauser.com 

Caleb Taylor earned his MFA in painting from Montana State University-Bozeman (2008) and is a 2010 Charlotte Street Foundation Fellow. He is the recipient of the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation MFA Grant and an ArtsKC Inspiration Grant that supported his 2009 residency at Vermont Studio Center. His painting and drawings have been exhibited in numerous solo and group shows at venues including the Dolphin Gallery, Grand Arts, CUE Art Foundation (NY), and dm Contemporary (NY). Recently Taylor curated the exhibition “A Glimpse Inward” at La Esquina in Kansas City. www.calebtaylorart.com

For more information, visit: www.plugprojects.com

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