Jon Copes
B. 1998 Raleigh, NC.
Education
2024 MFA Fine Arts. School of Visual Arts. New York, NY
2020 BA Communication Media Minor in Art + Design. Raleigh, NC
Selected Exhibitions
Solo
2023 Cancerianism. Durham Fruit. Durham, NC
2021 We Can Help Each Other Be Brave. SLUG. Chapel Hill,NC
Group
2024 Non-Sovereign Poetics. SVA Chelsea Gallery. New York, NY
2023 9 Muses. School of Visual Arts. New York, NY
Selected Performances
2024 Job Search. Non-Sovereign Poetics. SVA Chelsea Gallery. New York, NY
2023 Untitled. Flex Space. School of Visual Arts. New York, NY
Selected Film Screenings
2024 48 Hours Eating Out 2: Sloppy Second, Full Gay Movie Comedy, Romance LGBTQIA+. Flex Space. School of Visual Arts. New York, NY
2021 We Can Help Each Other Be Brave. Cinequeer. Southern Fried Queer Pride. Atlanta, GA.
We Can Help Each Other Be Brave. NCSU Student Moving Image Showcase. Raleigh, NC.
2020 Welcome Home. NCSU Student Moving Image Showcase. Raleigh, NC.
Selected Residencies/Fellowships
2023 Durham Fruit Artist Residency. Durham Fruit. Durham, NC.
2020 Resisting Narratives of Erasure Fellowship. Visionary Justice Storylab. Atlanta, GA.
Selected Published Works
2024 Black Futurity: Lessons in (Art) History to Forge a Path Forward. Gagosian Quarterly Online. Feb 2024
2021 We Can Help Each Other Be Brave. Windhover Magazine. April 2021
2020 Welcome Home. Windhover Magazine. April 2020
2019 I Found Love In:.Windhover Magazine. April 2019
Selected Awards
2024 Edward Zutrau Memorial Award. Alumni Scholarship Fund. School of Visual Arts. New York, NY
2023 MFA Fine Arts Award. MFA Fine Arts Department. School of Visual Arts. New York, NY
2022 MFA Fine Arts Award. MFA Fine Arts Department. School of Visual Arts. New York, NY
Selected Professional Experience
Gagosian New York, NY
DEI Consultant, Oct 2023 - Oct 2024
- Spearheaded the design and implementation of a communication system for distributing cultural/heritage educational materials, improving workplace education strategies
- Developed educational materials on diversity, equity, and inclusion guiding the gallery’s voice in representation and inclusivity, and supporting its mission of diversity.
- Contributing writer to Gagosian Quarterly Online
DEI Committee Intern, Feb 2023 - July 2023.
- Collaborated with various departments to write and edit press releases and exhibition materials, providing a critical perspective and use of inclusive language and concepts.
- Digitized and archived artist materials, including sketchbooks, newspaper articles, and journals, preserving important works and documents.
- Assisted in the preparation of presentation packages for upcoming exhibitions, aiding curators and staff in effectively showcasing future projects to stakeholders.
Durham Fruit Durham, NC
Artist in Residence, April 2023 - Dec 2023
- Developed curriculum, syllabus, and lesson plans for the community workshop series QT-BPM,
- Instructed and facilitated workshop sessions, adjusting teaching strategies to encourage participant engagement and accommodate varying learning styles.
- Managed budgeting and financial oversight for events and public programs during the residency period, maximizing resources and prioritizing support of local artists.
VAE Raleigh, NC
Exhibitions Assistant, Feb 2022 - Dec 2022
- Collaborated in the ideation and execution of exhibitions across seven venues, working closely with the Director of Exhibitions and liaising with partners, artists, and board members to present high-quality art exhibitions.
Other Experience:
2023-2024 LGBTQ Center of Durham Queer Youth Summer Camp Counselor
2023 New York University ITP Department Guest Critic - Useless Machines
2020 Visionary Justice Storylab Resisting Narratives of Erasure Fellow