2024
Section III: Scholarship/Creative Activity/Research (SCAR)
A. List of scholarly, creative, research activities conducted during evaluation period:
SPRING 2024
1. Attended Domestika Art workshop and Behance workshop (S_a)
2. Member of Domestika Art (S_b)
3. Professional trips to Savannah, Georgia, New York City, and Washington DC; meeting, networking and exhibitions with artists, curators, and gallery owners (S_c)
a) National Museum of the American Indian, Robert Houle: Red is Beautiful, Shelley Niro: 500 Year Itch, DC
b) Faurschou, Tracey Emin: Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made, Donna Huanca: Scarred Tissue, NYC
c) Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Love Thy Neighbor’ Hood, Untying the Bow, NYC
d) Dover Market, Comme des Garçon display, NYC
e) Whitney Museum of American Art, Harold Cohen: ARRON, Holly Herndon and Mat Dryurst: Xhairymutantx NYC
f) Perrotin Gallery, NYC
g) Jack Shainman Gallery, NYC
h) Pace Gallery, NYC
i) Lehmann Maupin Gallery, NYC
j) Gagosian Gallery, NYC
k) Museum of Art and Design, NYC
l) Guggenheim Museum, NYC
m) Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, NYC
n) Brooklyn Museum, NYC
o) East Building; National Gallery of Art, WDC
p) Philadelphia Museum of Art, PA
q) Hirshhorn Museum and The Sculpture Garden, WDC
r) National Gallery of Art, WDC
s) National Portrait Gallery, WDC
t) Savannah College of Art and Design Museum, Savannah, Georgia
4. Designed flyers and posters: Justin LeBlanc: Interview and fashion show for ART 495 and Solo exhibition, Gallaudet University, WDC (S_e)
5. Researched and promoted fashion design videos on social media. (C_a)
6. Designed promotion flyers for social media reels (C_a)
7. Researched fashion techniques for sewing machine and 3D printing (C_a)
8. Completed and produced a comedy show of “Catching Faux Pas: The Sage of the Coffee Cup” and “Spill the Coffee: Interviews by Mavatour”- CapCut, and Adobe (C_b)
9. Completed illustrative visual images through a combination of drawings, shapes, composition, and creative skills for art courses. (C_e)
10. Created artwork. (O_a)
11. “Something” artwork listed on Artsy.net website (O_a)
12. Received a donation from Constellion Energy for art Department (O_b)
13. Administered Faculty Grant for Guest Lecturer: Justin LeBlanc (O_b)
14. Drag queen persona for Art 495 Fashion Show: Missy Take (O_c)
15. Supervised interns and guests with their Tinkerlab research (O_d)
16. Created custom artwork for art commissions (O_f)
17. Critic for graduate art student at School of Visual Art (O_h)
Explanation of Activities Relevant to Scholarship/Creative Activity/Research:
(3) Mava covered the fees for museums and art fairs, as well as funding travel to various domestic locations to engage with both artistic traditions and contemporary practices.
(4/13) He collaborated with students on the runway setup at the outdoor of Washburn Art Center coordinating set production around the runway. Partnering with the Facilities department, he installed the outdoor runway of the Washburn Parking lot. Embracing the persona of a drag queen named “Missy Take”. Mava donned an evening gown he designed himself, complete with elaborate makeup and special effects. As the Mistress of Ceremonies, he presented students’ fashion creations during the show. Additionally, he designed flyers for both the interview and the fashion show event. Mava managed the live streaming on Zoom and Instagram and ensured the show was accessible to all, resulting in hundreds of views.
(5/6/8) He created a green screen in a room and crafted the scripts for a fashion design and a comedy show titled, “Catching Faux Pas: The Sage of the Coffee Cup” and “Spill the Coffee: Interviews by Mavatour” Mava developed several characters with various costumes, collaborating with drag queens. He edited the videos, added captions and special effects, and converted text to voice for the hearing audience. He also shared and promoted the videos on social media to educate viewers about fashion design and its history.
(10) Throughout the year, he created a body of artwork that he used to apply for various residencies, fellowships, exhibition open calls, grants, and exhibitions in galleries. He purchased canvases and supplies dedicating countless hours to the creation of his pieces, as well as photographing and editing images of his artwork.
(12) Received $3,000 from Constellation Energy for student awards.
FALL 2024
1. Designed an exhibition of Mi Lengua: Maria Barinas Ammon De Leger for Linda K Jordan Gallery
2. Professional trips to New York City, Washington DC, Savannah GA, Berlin Germany, and Miami; meeting and networking with artists, curators, and gallery owners. (S_c)
a. Berlinische Galerie, Berlin, Germany
b. Alte Nationagalerie
c. KINDL - Zentrum für zeitgnössische Kunst
d. Neue National Galerie, Berlin, Germany
e. Bauhaus Archive
f. Schwules Museum, Berlin, Germany
g. C/O Berlin, Berlin, Germany
h. Julia Stoscek Foundation, Berlin, Germany
i. KW Institute of Contemporary Art, Berlin, Germany
j. Peres Projects, Berlin, Germany
k. Galerie Judin, Berlin, Germany
l. Savannah College of Art and Design Museum, Savannah, Georgia
m. Museum of Art and Design, NYC
n. David Zwirner Gallery, NYC
o. Jack Shainman Gallery, NYC
p. Pace Gallery, NYC
q. Marlborough Gallery, NYC
r. Museum of Modern Art, NYC
s. Museum of Modern Art PS1, Brooklyn NY
t. Perrotin, NYC
u. Cooper Hewitt Museum, NYC
v. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
w. Brooklyn Museum, NYC
x. Whitney Museum, NYC
y. National Gallery of Art, WDC
z. National Museum of African Art, In the Deep, WDC
aa. Renwick Gallery, WDC
bb.The Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore MD
cc. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, WDC
dd.National Portrait Gallery, WDC
ee. Rubell Museum, WD
December 2024:
ff. Wynwood Garage/Gallery, Miami Florida
gg. Gaysel Art Fair, Miami
hh. Untitled Art, Miami
ii. Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami Florida
jj. Context Art, Miami Florida
kk. Art Miami, Miami Florida
ll. Design Art, Miami Florida
3. Created Poster, postcards, and a Banner for an exhibition of Mi Lengua: Maria Barinas Ammon De Leger for Linda K Jordan Gallery (S_e)
4. Will create a poster for Open studio/Presentations for Art 495
5. Produced a creative Instagram project: Fashion Instagram Reels: A variety of designers. (C_a)
6. Produced a creative Instagram project: Artist Exhibition Reels: A variety of artists (C_a)
7. Completed Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, TinkerCad, MakerBot and CapCut software (C_b)
8. Tinkerlab director, created 3D printing coursework for internship (C_e)
9. Created artwork (O_a)
10. Worked as an artist assistant for artists at NYC (O_e)
11. Worked as an artist assistant for an artist at Berlin, Germany (O_e)
12. Exhibited my artwork and received Second place at Juried show: Queer Theory, Richmond, VA(O_j)
Explanation of Activities Relevant to Scholarship/Creative Activity/Research:
(1/3) He collaborated with artist Maria De Leger and family members, providing guidance on preparing for the show. To promote the work, he created postcards and posters.
(2) Mava paid for museum and art fair fees. Additionally, he self-funded travel to both domestic and international locations to engage in artistic traditions and contemporary practices.
(1) He designed flyers for student presentations.
(4/5) He attended exhibitions in Washington DC, New York City, Berlin Germany, Richmond Virginia, and Savannah, Georgia. He researched artists’ biographies, wrote scripts, and filmed himself. He edited the videos, added captions and special effects, and converted text to voice for the hearing audience. He shared and promoted videos on social media to educate all about fashion design and its history. He also built a network with domestic and international artists, curators, and collectors.
(6/7) He studied a variety of software: TinkerCad, Blender, Shopbot, and MakerBot related to 3D prints, and practiced the printing of models. He also used Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, CapCut for his artwork by editing.
(8) Creating artwork throughout the year, using it to apply to residencies, fellowships, exhibition open calls, grants, and exhibitions in galleries—the process of artwork made from research and ideas to develop bodies of work. He purchased canvases and supplies dedicating countless hours to the creation of his pieces, as well as photographing and editing images of his artwork.
Spring/Fall 2024
During the evaluation period, Mava engaged in numerous creative, scholarly, and research activities, reminiscing his deep commitment to the art world and his role as an educator. His works illustrate the challenges of navigating artistic spaces and the unique rewards of collaboration and community-building within the creative field.
Mava attended multiple workshops, including those offered by Domestika Art and Behance, demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning and stayng current with creative trends and technical skills. He also traveled extensively for professional engagements, visiting major art hubs like New York City, Savannah, GA, and Washington DC. During these trips, he attended exhibitions and networked with artists, curators, and gallery owners, further expanding his connections in art. His ability to self-fund these travels reflect his dedication to engaging with both historical and contemporary artistic traditions.
One of Mava's most significant achievements during this period was his participation in the juried art show "Queer Theory," held in Richmond, Virginia. Despite the challenges of entering juried exhibitions, where the competition is fierce and the standards are strict, Mava's work was recognized and earned second place in the show. He was preparing his artwork for submission, which involved research, material preparation, and conceptual clarity, all while navigating the uncertainty of how his work would be received. This success not only elevated his professional profile but also affirmed the importance of his artistic voice within the broader discourse of queer theory and contemporary art. Winning second place in such a prestigious show is a testament to the depth of his practice, which continuously challenges societal norms while celebrating individuality.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Mava also found joy in creative collaborations with Justin LeBlanc, a renowned fashion designer and former Project Runway contestant. Mava invited Justin to be a guest lecturer for his ART 495 class and to prepare the students for a fashion show event hosted at Gallaudet University. Their collaboration was successful and personally rewarding for Mava, as Justin, a designer he admired, expressed delight in working with him. Mava designed the promotional flyers for the event, organized interviews, and even took on the role of Mistress of Ceremonies, presenting the fashion show in a drag persona he created, named "Missy Take." His ability to bring Justin on board was a point of pride, particularly since Justin openly acknowledged his admiration for Mava's work and built a creative partnership.
Mava's passion for education is obvious in his continued efforts to integrate innovative digital content into his curriculum. He produced a series of Instagram fashion design reels, blending entertainment with education to engage a wider audience. His ability to adapt to contemporary platforms and mediums shows his commitment to reaching students and the broader public through accessible and relevant formats. Mava used green screen technology, scripted and produced fashion-related content, and even integrated comedy into his educational materials, with shows like "Catching Faux Pas: The Sage of the Coffee Cup" and "Spill the Coffee: Interviews by Mavatour." The combination of humor, fashion history, and drag culture allowed Mava to infuse his teaching with creativity and inclusivity. Mava's journey through the art world isn't limited to exhibitions and gallery shows. It extends into the realm of social media, where he has managed to gain recognition from prominent artists. Several well-known figures in the art scene have liked his reels and even left comments, a signal that they're watching his work. This validation from respective artists represents a significant achievement for Mava, providing him with a sense of visibility in a world that often overlooks disability artists like himself. Despite the support he receives from peers online, Mava remains acutely aware of the harsh realities that the art world can present for artists with disabilities. The rejections can accumulate, and many institutions and curators struggle to see beyond the labels that define him by his disability. These experiences underscore his ongoing challenges in gaining acceptance for his work-not just as a deaf artist, but as an artis in his own right.
Reflecting on the many rejections, Mava has often considered the different paths he could have taken. He could have chosen to marry someone with a fancy, well-connected last name, leveraging their status to succeed. He could have unthinkingly chased fame by compromising his values or tried to blend in, becoming just another artist in the crowd. Mava has also witnessed how some artists take shortcuts to fame by stealing others' work, a practice all too common in the art world. While these individuals may enjoy temporary success, Mava believes that their subconscious knows genuine success can never come from someone else's stolen creativity. But Mava never wanted that. Instead, he found happiness in making art that was true to himself and his experiences. This personal satisfaction is priceless, and he deeply appreciates the respect he has earned from those who genuinely see his work for what it is: art that speaks beyond labels and is made with authenticity and dedication. Mava's journey is not just for him; it's for other artists with disabilities fighting the same battles for recognition and validation in a world that too often dismisses their potential.
Mava is always delighted to attend exhibitions, opening receptions, and art fairs, where he meets a variety of artists, many of whom are prominent figures in the art world. He has crossed paths with a long list of names that might not be familiar to everyone but hold significant weight in artistic circles—artists like Devon Shimoyama, Forrest Myers, Donna Huanca, Rafa Esparza, and many more. Each encounter enriches his understanding of the art scene, often leading to memorable and unexpected moments. One such moment occurred several years ago at an opening reception. He admired Forrest from a distance, unsure of how to approach the art icon. Fortunately, Mava spotted a friend with Myers and eagerly sought an introduction. What began as a simple greeting quickly blossomed into an invitation to visit Myers' studio, an opportunity Mava wasn't about to pass up.
Mava hired an interpreter for the visit, knowing this was a rare chance to explore the mind and space of such a renowned artist. Walking through the studio, Mava was fascinated by the variety of objects scattered throughout the space, each filled with artistic significance. One piece in particular caught his eye: a small object that looked like an art medal by Marcel Duchamp. With some excitement, he asked Myers about it, only to learn it wasn't a medal but a sink-stopper! With his humor, Myers allowed Mava to touch it, and Mava jokingly asked if he could bite into it. He bit it just to be sure he wasn't dreaming. Fast forward to a year ago, Mava attended an exhibition of Duchamp's work at the Hirshhorn Museum, and to his shock, he saw the same sink stopper on display, identified as a loan from none other than Forrest Myers! Mava couldn't help but laugh at the memory, imagining that perhaps his saliva was still on that sink stopper, now secured behind glass in a high-security display. That surreal moment with Myers is one of those stories that remind Mava just how unexpected and wild the art world can be.
Again, Mava's work as an educator goes beyond traditional classroom teaching. He designed artwork, curated exhibitions, and engaged with various software, including TinkerCad, MakerBot, and CapCut, to broaden his technical expertise. These tools have been crucial in supervising TinkerLab interns, as he led students through 3D printing coursework and collaborated with them on creative research projects. His expertise in digital design and 3D modeling has been instrumental in helping students bring their concepts to life, further enhancing their learning experiences.
Mava's creative activities culminated in the design and execution of several exhibitions, including *Mi Lengua: Maria Barinas Ammon De Leger* at the Linda K Jordan Gallery. This show, a collaboration with the artist and her family, highlighted Mava's ability to balance curatorial responsibilities with his artistic vision. He designed the promotional materials, coordinated with the artist, and provided the exhibition communicated the artist's message successfully.
Mava's work is rooted in a deep sense of community and collaboration in all these endeavors. His ability to juggle multiple roles as an artist, educator, curator, and drag queen demonstrates his versatility and dedication to promoting a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic artistic environment. His work improves his academic and artistic fields and contributes to broader conversations about accessibility, identity, and the evolving nature of creative practice.