Holly received her MFA from American University in Italy and Washington DC (’06), where she was awarded the American University Graduate Assistant Scholarship and the Mellon Fund Graduate Research Grant. In 2007, Holly won "Best Local Exhibition" award by the Pikes Peak Arts Council for her creation of the "Hot Off the Press", a Colorado printmakers invitational at the Business of Art Center, and is responsible for curating many other award-winning exhibitions and programs for various arts venues. She currently lives and works in Colorado, and online from anywhere, as a private consultant and coach to artists and collectors.
EDUCATION
2006 MFA – Includes studies in Washington DC and Italy | American University
2002–2003 Courses in Museum Studies/Gallery Management | University of Colorado
1996 B.A. in Fine Arts with a Minor in Marketing | University of Colorado
AWARDS
2007 Best Local Exhibition – Curators Award | Pikes Peak Arts Council
2007 Best of the Springs Award | Best Exhibition, Curators Award | The Gazette
2006 Mellon Fund Graduate Research Grant | Mellon Fund
2004–2006 Graduate Assistantship Scholarship | American University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2017 - Present Consultant to Artists & Collectors
Following a vibrant and long career operating galleries, art foundations, and my own studio, I pivoted into a world of consultation where I now engage with artists and collectors as a consultant and a coach. Each relationship is uniquely customized, encompassing a level of intimacy and alliance that helps artists achieve powerfully aligned visions and outcomes in their creations and business. Collectors get a similar benefit with defining an intentional collecting vision, organizing collection records, managing conservation concerns, and improving storage and installation of work in a way that sensibly balances enjoyment of their beloved objects.
2015 - 2017 Commercial Gallery Director, Fine Arts Center Colorado Springs
I was responsible for the incredibly exciting tasks of: launching and overseeing a profitable operation of a unique fine art gallery and retail space; and activating a First Friday event program in various spaces within the FAC; responsible for curating artwork, installation, artist and customer relations, commission negotiations and sales; managing part time sales associate(s), volunteers, and interns; working externally to build enthusiasm for and engagement with commercial gallery program in the local and regional artist community; as well as creating and managing experiential arts activities and interpretive experiences that built upon and added to my diverse museum and gallery related passions. My work here won the local acclaim of voters with the "Best Commercial Gallery: Gold Award - 2016" in the Gazette within ten-months of opening the gallery.
2011-Present Artist and Independent Curator, Colorado Springs
As an Artist and Independent Curator I produce artwork, develop exhibition concepts and relevant programming for various contracting venues, coordinate exhibiting artists, design and install exhibitions, write promotional and interpretive materials, manage public and client relations, provide customer service, coordinate volunteers, and meet deadlines. In 2011, I launched a busy Studio Art and Independent Curatorial practice. Since then I have produced four solo exhibitions of my work, been included in one important two-person exhibition, and had my work selected for eleven juried exhibitions. My curatorial work includes both small and large contracts, including serving as a guest curator for Colorado College’s I.D.E.A. Space Gallery, designing and installing the Pikes Peak Weavers Guild exhibition in 2013, and producing a rotating exhibition season for the 20,000 square foot redevelopment of the Ivywild School.
2012-2015 Museum Committee Member, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
This is an elected volunteer service position. Members serve 3-year terms, and primarily aid the museum in making decisions on accessioning and deaccessioning works of art in the museum’s collection.
2008-Jan. ’11 Executive Director and Curator, Smokebrush Foundation & Gallery
I was recruited to return to Smokebrush Foundation where I directed all aspects of administrative and gallery operations, including development of exhibition concepts, curatorial functions, artist relations, marketing, and educational programs. We produced over thirty exhibitions during this time. Additionally, I supervised and trained five staff members, plus volunteers and college interns. I also developed and implemented a budget and a sustainability plan that successfully positioned the Foundation to weather the economic downturn.
2007 Alternate Member, Public Art Commission of Pikes Peak Region
I served as an elected alternate on this City-appointed Arts Commission. This is a 12-member volunteer board, including two elected officials serving as liaisons from Colorado Springs City Council and El Paso County’s Board of Commissioners. The Commission acts in an advisory capacity to evaluate, advocate, stimulate and facilitate matters of public art and culture. This experience enriched my knowledge of the needs and processes related to facilitating and presenting public art.
2006-2008 Gallery Director & Curator, Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs
I developed and implemented exhibition concepts for three gallery venues at this site, and installed over fifty exhibitions during this term. I managed curatorial functions, artist relations, public relations, and educational programs. I directed the Wunderkind educational program for teens, where I developed curricula, selected visiting speakers, and taught professional practices. During the first year of this position (2006-2007), I managed the Center’s retail gallery, and trained and supervised volunteers.
2005-2006 Teaching Assistantship, American University, Washington D.C.
Teaching Assistantship for undergraduate beginning drawing classes with artist, Carol Brown Goldberg.
2000-2004 Executive Director and Curator, Smokebrush Foundation & Gallery
During my initial term as ED, I served as Project Manager for the production of the Uncle Wilber Fountain, a $1.2 million public art donation project by Smokebrush. I established the Friends of the Fountain Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization that funds maintenance of the Uncle Wilber Fountain. I directed all aspects of administrative and gallery operations, including development of exhibition concepts, executing curatorial functions, managing artist relations, coordinating volunteers, and mentoring interns. I supervised the relocation of Smokebrush Gallery from its Nevada Avenue location to the Depot Arts District. I initiated collaboration with existing Depot Arts District galleries to develop and launch First Friday Art Walk events in Colorado Springs.
2002-2003 Gallery Assistant, Gallery of Contemporary Art, UCCS
Assisted in a learning environment with aspects of gallery management and museum studies as a part of Museology and Gallery Management coursework.
1998-2000 Advertising Dir. / Graphic Designer, Smokebrush Center for Arts & Theater
I managed a complete in-house advertising department for this semi-professional theater company and arts center. I directed all aspects of advertising/marketing, including budget management, graphic design, direct mail production, copywriting, and creating in-house visual display needs. I initiated and created a rotating exhibition space in the theater lobby.
1997-1998 Associate Account Executive, RPM Advertising
I managed account activities for multiple clients in this agency that specialized in automotive advertising. My tasks included working directly with clients throughout the U.S. and Ontario, Canada to write copy for print and electronic media, create preliminary advertisement layouts, and assist Lead Account Executives in directing client advertising budgets ranging from $10,000 to $80,000 monthly.
1990-1997 Advertising Dir. / Graphic Designer, The S.R. Flaks Company
I initiated, developed, and managed a complete in-house advertising department for this wholesale distribution company with more than twenty retail locations. I trained and managed one assistant while directing all aspects of the retail locations’ advertising and design needs, including marketing planning, advertising direction, writing copy for and designing print and electronic advertisements, creating Point-Of-Sale advertising, and meeting budgets and deadlines.
OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2014 Exhibition Preparator, The I.D.E.A. Space, Colorado College
2014 Exhibition Preparator, Gallery of Contemporary Art, UCCS
2014 Workshop Instructor, Bemis School of Art, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
2013 Exhibition Designer, Pikes Peak Weavers Guild, Firestorm: Woven Together
2013 Exhibition Preparator for Basim Magdy, Colorado College Coburn Gallery
2012 Install Asst. to Scott Johnson, Fata Morgana, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
2008 Assisted Ron English install major outdoor work, Andenken Gallery, Denver
2007 Juror, CSU Pueblo Annual Student Art Exhibition
2007 Juror, City of Colorado Springs – Artists registry catalogue
2006 Arts Commission of the Pikes Peak Region – Arts advisory, City of Co. Spgs.
2006-07 Director|Instructor, Wunderkind program, Business of Art Center
2006 Instructor, FutureSelf Annual Exhibition, gallery preparation instruction
2006 Juror, Annual Hispanic Art Show, Colorado Springs School District 11
2003 Juror, Body Packaging Runway Art Show, Colorado Springs City Auditorium
2003 Curator, Body Packaging Still Exhibition at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
MEMBERSHIPS
• American Alliance of Museums
• ICI – Independent Curators International
• Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
• Gallery of Contemporary Art – Univ. of Colorado, Colo. Spgs.
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver
• Denver Art Museum
• Denver Botanic Gardens
SELECTED SOLO AND TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2014 Destiny Manifest: Isabelle Hayeur and Holly Parker, Gallery of Contemporary Art, Colorado Springs, CO
2013 Fog Of War, Solo Exhibition, The Modbo Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
2013 Remix, Solo Exhibition, The Blue Star, Colorado Springs, CO
2012 Momentum, Solo Exhibition, Spotlight Gallery at Soiree, Colorado Springs, CO
2012 New Work: Holly Parker, Earthen Artisan House, Colorado Springs, CO
2006 Prada Gallery, Washington, DC
2004 Red, Hot & Cool, The Warehouse Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
2003 Avenue Gallery solo artist, The Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO
1997 Avenue Gallery solo artist, The Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2014 Incite Insight, Juried by Ivar Zeile, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
2014 36 Views of Pikes Peak Invitational, Gallery of Contemporary Art, Colo Spgs, CO
2014 Icebreaker 5, Juried by Dean Sobel, Dir. of Clyfford Still Museum, Ice Cube Gallery, Denver, CO
2013 Revamp’d, Exhibition of upcycled material art, Ivywild School, Colo Spgs, CO
2012 Annual Small Works Show, Modbo Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
2011 Marma Gallery, Smokebrush Foundation, Colorado Springs, CO
2009 Colorado Springs Abstract, Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO
2009-10 Eco-Art Market, Smokebrush Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
2008 Light of HOPE (For Darfur), w/ Shepard Fairey, Smokebrush Gallery, Colo Spgs
2008 InVIDnation, Multimedia Exhibition, Business of Art Center, Manitou Spgs, CO
2007 The Guernica Show, Smokebrush Foundation & Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
2006-07 KNEW Gallery, Washington, D.C.
2006 MFA Thesis Exhibition, Katzen Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2006 18th Annual ArtRomp, Warehouse Theater Gallery, Washington, D.C.
2005 Seventeen Artists, Katzen Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
2005 American Rodeo, Centro Studi Americani, Rome, Italy
2005 Roma: Ad Infinitum, Galleria Pyramide, Rome, Italy
2005 Abstraction: Juried Exhibition, The Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs, CO
2004 AKA Show Invitational, Gallery of Contemporary Art, Colorado Springs, CO
2003 Body & Soul, The Smokebrush Foundation & Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
2003 Smoke Signals, The Smokebrush Foundation & Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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