Before Cultivate was a space, it was merely an idea. One that had been budding in the mind of its Director and Founder, Mallory Shotwell, for about eight years. An artist her whole life, her experience as a public and Montessori school teacher shaped her work and practice well beyond making art.
She came to understand different learning styles and different intelligences, and how creating pieces with several points of engagement informed how people move in a space, interact within a space, and play and touch and listen. It was a particular endeavor of hers—an exhibition about the many forms of love—that catapulted her art career, giving her the opportunity to take a position at a contemporary art gallery in Madison, Wisconsin.
The dual roles as educator and curator put the more complex pieces of arts administration together for her, and that’s when things began to get off the ground. “I started thinking about how to facilitate the understanding of the value of art itself through education,” Shotwell says. “I started to build this little dream in my head, and when I moved back to Grand Rapids, I began to develop an audience and make connections with others in the art scene.”
And that’s the end of Mallory’s story as an individual; that’s how she wants it, because from the point that Cultivate became a real entity, it truly became a collective of “we”.
What is Cultivate? In its physical form, it’s a new contemporary art gallery, art education program, and artist resource center located on the Wealthy Corridor. But what the 40-person leadership and faculty team wants people to know is that Cultivate is an action verb. “We chose that word on purpose because we want to cultivate community and creativity and growth and connection, and that means that we actively honor people wherever they are and whatever they’re doing in relation to art,” Shotwell says. “If someone doesn’t consider themselves an artist, we invite them to come and try.”
To better grasp what Cultivate is trying to achieve is to know what’s happening behind that glass lined, natural-wood-accented façade at the corner of Wealthy and James. For starters, it’s classes. More than 100 a year, including several in partnership with East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec. From preschool and elementary children to teens to adults, everyone is welcomed and all skill levels are encouraged. Sculpture, painting, photography, drawing and illustration, art basics, fiber arts, mixed media—even several courses on comic book creation for youths—are some of the subjects available.
Cultivate is also a gallery space that will host six exhibitions a year from local, regional, and national artists. And, having the classes take place amid the artwork on display is all part of it. “We refer to it as a living space because the exhibitions are always changing,” Shotwell says. “But, also, during the classes, we’re able to move around the art and get really close to it, which provides a level of connection to the work and the artists, fostering an organic sense of exploration and experimentation.”
Finally, Cultivate is a resource for artists who are developing their practice or have goals for their careers. It offers an introduction to a world of artists who are having success, as well as mentorship, support, and networking. From covering relevant topics on the blog—including tips for writing an artist bio, building a professional art career, getting commissions, and more—to hosting free, open studio time for adults and families, they’re delivering on their principles, purpose, and promise.
“When we say that education and community are at the heart of everything we do, it really is in every department,” Shotwell says. “We’re connecting different artists and organizations, working with people, and building an understanding of how art is everywhere that we are.”
Comprised of professional artists, established curators, certified and trained teachers, and industry experts, the expansive Cultivate team is also supported by a robust pool of volunteers. Onboarding events for new volunteers occur every other month, and during the in-between months, there are volunteer get-togethers designed for mingling, learning, and immersing in the world of art.
“At Cultivate, we actively teach the art on the walls, we actively teach art and the language of design, and we actively teach how artists can grow in their careers with their own goals in mind,” Shotwell says. “Whether it’s trying a class, volunteering, or seeing a gallery show, we like to create as many points of engagement as possible.”
You can find Cultivate located at 620 Wealthy St SE. Learn about current classes, volunteer opportunities, events, and more at cultivategrandrapids.org.
Cultivate
620 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
cultivategrandrapids.org
