Instagram: shonna_pryor
twitter: @ShonnaPryor
BIO
Shonna Pryor is a conceptual artist, art programs producer, and an educator at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her interdisciplinary art practice is inspired by references to food theory and its peripheral objects and concepts as a lens through which to critically engage the politics of identity, memory, power, and play. Afrofuturist -based aesthetics are apparent in the visual language of these expressions, with preference towards reclaimed materials that shape shift while simultaneously contributing their own unique histories in concert with her contemporary/futurist interpretation. Pryor's work has been exhibited in major cities such as Chicago, Detroit and New York, with esteemed artist residencies at Hyde Park Art Center; High Concept Labs; and Chicago Council on Science and Technology, respectively. Her community engagement and outreach collaborations with established organizations and institutions have been instrumental in employing visual art to encourage young people towards S.T.E.A.M. futures, as applied to a just and equitable society.
CV
EDUCATION
2016—The New School, Master of Science in Media Management, Arts Programming, Production and Development (NY, NY)
2012—School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Painting and Drawing (Chicago, IL)
2002—College for Creative Studies, BFA in Fiber and Materials Studies (Detroit, MI)
PROFESSIONAL
Multimedia Visual Artist and Art Programs Producer—2007- present
Visual Arts Educator, School of the Art Institute of Chicago—2012-present
Research Producer, WTTW/Chicago PBS, Chicago, IL—2016-2017
Research and Production, Chicago Access Network Television—2012
Art & Design Educator, Baker College, Auburn Hills, MI—2004
Production Assistant, Community Media Network Cablevision, Troy, MI—2002- 2003
AWARDS
2019 Emmy Award Winner, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Midwest:
Arts/Entertainment Programing Program/Special Series (Art & Design in Chicago)
2019 (nominee) Peter Lisagor Award, WTTW Chicago Public Broadcast Television:
“Best News/Specialty/Arts/Culture/Entertainment News–Feature or Series (Art & Design, Chicago)”
2017
(shortlist) Knight Visiting Nieman Fellowship Award, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
2016 Judy and John McCarter Fellowship, WTTW Chicago Public Television
2012
Archibald Motley Jr. Artist Grant Award
2009
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Merit Scholarship Award
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
(forthcoming) "Of Portals and Pathways II: Fiscal Frontiers" Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
2022
“Solo: Of Portals and Pathways", Material Gallery, Chicago, IL
GROUP EXHIBITIONS AND PERFORMANCES
2022
"A Woman With A Baguette" Ruschwoman Gallery, curated by Matt Morris
"Relic", curated by Cierra McKissick, University of Chicago Arts Incubator, Chicago, IL
"Faculty Exhibition" Evanston Art Center, Chicago, IL
2020
"The TOGETHER Tablecloth Summer Tour Series", Black Lives Matter Rally(ies), Chicago, IL
“By & For | BLM (Black Lives Matter)”, curated by Fabiola Tosi, Instagram
“WallPAPER of Respect: The Freedmens Bureau Ledgers” guest artist with the AACM Great Black Music Ensemble, Stoney Island Arts Bank, Chicago, IL
2018
“Take Root Among the Stars” curated by D. Denenge Duyst-Akpem, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
“High Concepts Lab Open House Show”, Constellation Chicago, Chicago, IL
"Female Curves", CAN TV Broadcast Channel, Chicago, IL
“Experience: Threewalls Annual Gala”, Threewalls Gallery, Chicago, IL
2017
“The Presidential Library Project: Black Presidential Imaginary” curated by Ross Jordan, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
2015
“Adorn”, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL “Gender Bombs and Other Cooking Ingredients” Impromptu Intervention Performance,
“Gender Bombs and Other Cooking Ingredients” Impromptu intervention performances: Expo Chicago The Armory Show, New York, NY Frieze, New York, NY
“Surface, Place”, Abrazo Interno Gallery, New York, NY “Art from Excess”, Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts, Gary, IN
2014
“Gender Bombs and Other Cooking Ingredients” Impromptu intervention performances:
Art Basel, Miami; Whitney Biennial, New York; New York Frieze Art Fair, New York; Expo Chicago; New York City Gallery tours led by Jerry Saltz courtesy of Vulture Magazine—Gagosian Gallery, Luhring Augustine Gallery, Andrea Rosen Gallery, David Zwirner Gallery, Petzel Gallery
“Female Curves” CAN-TV art video programming hosted by ExTV SAIC, Chicago, IL
2013
"Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity" Performance Exhibition, The Art Institute of Chicago
Museum, Chicago, IL
“Gender Bombs and Other Cooking Ingredients” Impromptu intervention performance, Expo Chicago
2012
"Graduate Thesis Exhibition", The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL
2011
"Dialogical Self", The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2010
“Post-Baccalaureate Thesis Exhibition”, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL "Midnight Snacks", 1366 Space, Chicago, IL
2007
“Full Circle”, G.R. N'Namdi Gallery, Detroit MI 2006
"75th Anniversary Show", Detroit Artists Market, Detroit MI
RESIDENCIES
2022 Wild Yams, Chicago, IL
2021-2023
Chicago Council on Science and Technology Artist Residency, Chicago, IL
2020 (shortlist) and 2021 (shortlist)
The School of The Art Institute of Chicago Artist-In-Residency (Homan), Chicago, IL
2019
Artist Winter Intensive Residency, High Concept Labs, Chicago, IL
2016
Jackman Goldwasser Artist Residency, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (PROGRAM PRODUCER, LEAD INSTRUCTOR)
2022 – “Recipe Storytelling” Workshop, ThreeWalls + Dreaming Circle, Chicago, IL
2021 – "It's Cyborg!" AT&T Community Youth Development Program + Chicago Parks District (Murray Park), Chicago IL
2021 – "Mission to Mars Museum" Carole Robertson Learning Center, Chicago, IL
2018 – "Object Storytelling: Appropriating the AIC Museum" Baker College Prep High School classroom, Chicago, IL
2017-2019 - "Youth Summer Fashion Camp: Food Theme Inspired By First Lady Michelle Obama (Healthy Food Initiative For Children)", The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2016 – "Recipe Storytelling: Senior Community", Lawndale/Homan Community Center, Chicago, IL
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2014
“Female Curves”, ExTV Broadcast, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2011
“Dialogical Self”, co-curated with Tony Lewis and Christina Long, School of the Art Institute of
Chicago, Chicago, IL
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2022 October 18, "Routes to Freedom: Shonna Pryor's Speculative Future" by Kerry Cardoza, NewCity Magazine
2022 May 13, "Deeper Research and a Politics of Care", by Kerry Cardoza The Chicago Reader
2022 “Top 5 Weekend Picks” Visualist Chicago (1/27/22-02/02/22)
2021 Feb 12, "60-Word Minute: Shonna Pryor", by Chicago Tribune contributing art critic, Lori Waxman for New City Art Magazine
2014 “Street Style: Frieze Edition”, Refinery29
2007 “Motown Leaders Envision a New Paradise Valley: Enclave to Showcase Black Culture”, The Associated Press
LECTURES + WRITINGS
2021 "Visual Art As Journalism", Women's History Month Talk, Waubonsee Community College, Chicago, IL
2015 “The Great Good Place” publication, Curated by Brandon Alvendia, Threewalls Gallery, Chicago, IL
PUBLIC SERVICE
Auxiliary Board Member, Chicago Council on Science and Technology—2020-current • National Academy of Television Arts & Science Midwest, Awards Judge 2020 • Member Toastmasters (Loop Trustmasters)—2020 • WTTW Community Advisory Board member, Chicago, IL—2015 • Dorchester Community Garden Project volunteer, Chicago, IL—2015 • Associate Board of Ambassadors, American Cancer Society, Chicago—2015 • Member of Board of Directors and Fundraising Committee for Creative Arts Center Gallery, Pontiac MI—2007 • WDET Detroit Public Radio fundraiser and contributing newsletter writer—2007 • Exhibit Committee Member, Detroit Artists Market—2006 • Member of the Detroit Institute of Arts Speaker's Bureau—2005