Julea Seliavski (They/Them) holds a BFA in Sculpture from VCU. Julea is a performance artist and activist-oriented curator. Their work centers systems of care that focus on audience participation. As a curator, Julea seeks to de-institutionalize the role, opening up space for collaboration when bringing awareness and posing solutions to social issues.
EDUCATION
MFA in Curatorial Practice - Maryland Institute College of Art - 2022
BFA in Sculpture and Extended Media - Virginia Commonwealth University - 2019)
AWARDS
2022 - $10,000 Baltimore Spirit Award Finalist
2022 - Fred Lazarus Leaders in Social Change Award
April 2022 - F.E.A.S.T. Finalist - VisArts, Rockville, MD
2021 - Recognition in Outstanding Leadership Award - MICA
2020 - We Pay Half Scholarship - MICA
2019 - Best Senior Show in 14 Years
2019 – Faculty Recognition Award
2018 - Barbara Ellen Powers Memorial Scholarship
2015 - Dangerous Artist Award at Virginia Commonwealth University
RESIDENCIES
October 2019 - The Museum of Loss Renewal, Individual Residency, Italy
November 2019 - Present - Back 2 School Residency, Richmond, VA
SOLO SHOWS
September 2016 - “To my Father’s Mother (part 1)”
A solo performance on the conversations around female representation in Russian Culture. Presented as an outdoor installation with a performance involving the reenactment of my grandmother’s ritual of self-care.
GROUP SHOWS
April 2019 - Annual Sculpture Senior Show - Richmond, VA
Responsible for curating and organizing (fundraising, organizing ..etc.) for the Annual Sculpture Senior April 2019, in Richmond, VA. Featured 37 artists. Voted “Best Sculpture Senior Show in fourteen years.”
February 2019 - Grit Girls in the South - Fine Arts Building, Richmond, VA
Collaborative performance with artist Joy McMillan open to the public at the Fine Arts Building of VCU in Richmond, VA.
November 2018 - Gentle Minds LLC - Richmond, VA
A collaborative piece involving performance, and sculptural installation at the Pollack Building in Richmond, Va with artists Sam Mullany, Marissa Dickson, Rin Kim, and Sam Buterbaugh.
December 2017 - Keep on Truckin' - Anderson Gallery, Richmond, VA
A group show curated by Sara Stern, in collaboration with the George Mason University basic sculpture class at the Anderson Gallery in Richmond, VA.
Spring 2016 - Reconciliation - VALET Gallery, Richmond, VA
A group show featuring VCU Sculpture and VCU Photo majors. Curation done by the students. Responsible for leading the curation process amongst the team in addition to designing the show poster.
PUBLICATIONS
December 3, 2021 - WYPR, On the Record - Sharing and Preserving Slavic Cultures - Interview
July 2020 - ACLU VA and The Humanization Project - Webinar - Guest Speaker and Organizer
Spring 2018 - Ambriel
WORK
April 2022 - August 2022 - Arts Community Consultant with Arts for Learning Maryland, Baltimore, MD
June 2019 - Present - Paralegal, The Law Office of Luba Seliavski
June 2021 - May 2022 - Legal Assistant and Social Media - Baltimore Action Legal Team, Baltimore, MD
August 2020 - May 2022 - Graduate Program Manager at MICA, Baltimore, MD
August 2020 - June 2021 - Graduate Student Council Officer with MICA. Baltimore, MD
June 2020 - January 2021 - Co-Founder, RVA26 Mutual Aid, Richmond, VA
January 2019 – June 2019 - Studio Assistant for Grace Eun Lee
August 2018 - THICC Body Products - Owner
November 2018 - Freelance Fabrication for artist Rin Kim.
October 2018 - Participant in “48 to Create”
July 2018 - Video Participant
May - June 2018 - Mender .
January 2015 - May 2015 - “The Law Office of Luba Seliavski” - Web Designer
SKILLS
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Certified
Proficient in Adobe Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Premiere, InDesign, Muse.
Woodworking - Comprehensive knowledge in woodworking and carpentry. Basic knowledge in carving
Ceramics - Comprehensive and advanced knowledge of working within ceramics
Mold Making - I have experience with all types of mold making. Proficient in flexible molds and advanced in hard-shell molds
Writing - I have experience in legal writing, fiction writing, and publication writing.
Sewing - I have an advanced knowledge in textiles, such as hand sewing, machine sewing, clothing ..etc.