Bio, Artist Statement, Resume
more than you wanted to know
Bio
Jess lives and works in Winterstown, PA. Daughter of the late Sandra J. (Tolley) and Daniel L. McPherson, Sr., she strives to balance her culture and experience as a Pennsylvania Dutch/American Indian woman, to recognize and honor her past and carry it with her into the future. Jess is an award winning fine artist, former gallery director and curator with a passion for building a stronger community through the arts. She studied Fine Art at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and served as Gallery Director for local non-profit arts education organization and community arts center, YorkArts in downtown York, PA. She is currently working on adornments ranging from basic jewelry elements to Powwow regalia and dance implements as well as exploring collaborative working processes in creating fine art.
Artist Statement
My Work is about the past, our past, a record of our secrets, a ledger drawing of our story. My work is about finding this connection in things overlooked, things taken for granted. I am interested in the idea or the knowledge that what we do and who we are never really goes unseen. Our secrets are kept by the things that surround us, even those most private, some fresh and easily read, some buried, some translated into a language we no longer understand, all of them kept and waiting for a time when we will need and want to know.
These works are my attempt to honor this business of secret keeping. And telling. They are my attempt to listen, to pay attention. They are my attempt to understand the secrets and the history between us.
______
“When I tell you this story, remember it may change.”
(from Captivity by Sherman Alexie)
I’ll say it again. When I tell you this story, remember it may change.
Blight is another word for secret. Of course you know it’s not, but that is about to change. Blight is another word for witness. Again. Remember. Witness is a word for ledger. Now maybe you see. or not. Maybe secret is just a word for secret and ledger a cumulatory record, an eyeless witness, a place to rest your head. Maybe I lay the stones I carry to remind us. to protect us. The easy answer is that they protect you. But you don’t need my protecting. So I see. I’ll carry them anyway. It seems I like the weight. I’ll lay them anyway. It seems I like the look. Which one is yours? None of them. all of them. They are for you. I did it right.
Remember. Even I forget my secrets.
- Jess McPherson
(rev. Jan 2012)
These works are my attempt to honor this business of secret keeping. And telling. They are my attempt to listen, to pay attention. They are my attempt to understand the secrets and the history between us.
______
“When I tell you this story, remember it may change.”
(from Captivity by Sherman Alexie)
I’ll say it again. When I tell you this story, remember it may change.
Blight is another word for secret. Of course you know it’s not, but that is about to change. Blight is another word for witness. Again. Remember. Witness is a word for ledger. Now maybe you see. or not. Maybe secret is just a word for secret and ledger a cumulatory record, an eyeless witness, a place to rest your head. Maybe I lay the stones I carry to remind us. to protect us. The easy answer is that they protect you. But you don’t need my protecting. So I see. I’ll carry them anyway. It seems I like the weight. I’ll lay them anyway. It seems I like the look. Which one is yours? None of them. all of them. They are for you. I did it right.
Remember. Even I forget my secrets.
- Jess McPherson
(rev. Jan 2012)
Resume
Professional Arts Experience
Gallery Director, YorkArts, York, PA.
May, 2006 – January, 2011.
Coordination of 75+ mission focused exhibitions in YorkArts’ Main and satellite galleries; providing positive arts experiences for the York community through planning, execution and meaningful personal interaction.
Noteworthy Self-Curated Exhibitions:
Art to Wear, 2007.
Transformers, 2008.
The Quick & The Dead: Still Lifes by Catherine Prescott, 2009. *with the artist
Hot for Wax, 2009.
Exhibition Series Development and Expansion:
Collecting Cultural Icons– highlighting the importance of local collectors
Curatorial Showcase – a platform for emerging curators
You@CityArt – artist produced exhibitions
Partner Exhibits:
Accumulation, featuring the works of Joyce J. Scott, Madeline Keesing and Line Bruntse, curated by Amy Eva Raehse. 2008.
HACC Artisan Marketplace@CityArt, YorkArts and Harrisburg Area Community College’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies partner to produce this annual juried marketplace. 2010.
May, 2006 – January, 2011.
Coordination of 75+ mission focused exhibitions in YorkArts’ Main and satellite galleries; providing positive arts experiences for the York community through planning, execution and meaningful personal interaction.
Noteworthy Self-Curated Exhibitions:
Art to Wear, 2007.
Transformers, 2008.
The Quick & The Dead: Still Lifes by Catherine Prescott, 2009. *with the artist
Hot for Wax, 2009.
Exhibition Series Development and Expansion:
Collecting Cultural Icons– highlighting the importance of local collectors
Curatorial Showcase – a platform for emerging curators
You@CityArt – artist produced exhibitions
Partner Exhibits:
Accumulation, featuring the works of Joyce J. Scott, Madeline Keesing and Line Bruntse, curated by Amy Eva Raehse. 2008.
HACC Artisan Marketplace@CityArt, YorkArts and Harrisburg Area Community College’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies partner to produce this annual juried marketplace. 2010.
Professional Affiliations
Member, Americans for The Arts, 2008 – 2010.
Assistantships, Internship and Volunteerism
Artist’s Assistant to Blanton Amspacher – Aid artist in cleaning, sorting, cataloging over 1200 found object components, as well as aid in development of cataloging system and installation of the final work. Left Behinds. 2010.
Teaching Assistant to Harriet Hacker – Introductory Relief Printmaking and Print as Poster open studies courses at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. Summer, 2005.
Volunteer - YorkArts’ Exhibitions Committee, 2005/2006.
Production Intern - Theatre Harrisburg - Building, painting and rigging sets. Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, 2004.
Teaching Assistant to Harriet Hacker – Introductory Relief Printmaking and Print as Poster open studies courses at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. Summer, 2005.
Volunteer - YorkArts’ Exhibitions Committee, 2005/2006.
Production Intern - Theatre Harrisburg - Building, painting and rigging sets. Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, 2004.
Education
Undergraduate Studies
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Lancaster, PA. BFA, Fine Art, 2005.
Magna Cum Laude, Departmental Award for Outstanding Fine Art Student.
The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Video Production, 1997.
Continuing Education
York County School of Technology, York, PA. Certificate of Completion:
Auto Body Collision Repair I & II; fall 2009, Auto Body Refinishing spring 2010.
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Lancaster, PA. BFA, Fine Art, 2005.
Magna Cum Laude, Departmental Award for Outstanding Fine Art Student.
The Art Institute of Philadelphia, Video Production, 1997.
Continuing Education
York County School of Technology, York, PA. Certificate of Completion:
Auto Body Collision Repair I & II; fall 2009, Auto Body Refinishing spring 2010.
Exhibitions
Invitational and Juried Exhibitions
2011 Artisan Marketplace of York County - York Town Craft Guild; York, PA, 2011.
Yorkfest Juried Exhibition - Jordan Faye Block, Juror; YorkArts; York, PA, 2011.
Same Page - lowercase gallery; Wrightsville, PA, 2011.
Collectanea - lowercase gallery; Wrightsville, PA, 2011.
The Prufrock Project- Curated by Barbara DeCesare; York, PA, 2009.
PLACEmats - Where Exhibitions; public installations, Lancaster, PA, 2008. Closing exhibit: Parlor Art Space, Lancaster, PA, 2008.
A Year at Parlor - Curated by Brant Schuller; Parlor Art Space; Lancaster, PA, 2007.
Untitled - YorkArts Annual Writer's Eye Exhibit; YorkArts; York, PA, 2005.
Emerging Visions Student Invitational - YorkArts; York, PA, 2005. Award of Excellence.
Doshi Student Show - Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art, Susquehanna Art Museum; Harrisburg, PA, 2003. Award of Merit.
Member and Group Exhibitions
What Inspires Us - YorkArts; York, PA, 2010.
100 Under 100 - YorkArts; York, PA, 2009.
6 x 6 - The Infantree; Lancaster, PA 2009.
The Canvas Project 2 - public installation; Atlanta, GA, 2009. Closing exhibit: Art House Co-Op; Atlanta, GA, 2009.
Small Works/100 Under 100 - YorkArts; York, PA, 2007/08.
Small Works 2006 - YorkArts; York, PA, 2006/07.
Small Works 2005 - YorkArts: York, PA, 2005/06.
43rd Annual Open Art Award Exhibit - The Lancaster Museum of Art; Lancaster, PA, 2005.
Senior Show and Celebration - Pennsylvania College of Art & Design; Lancaster, PA, 2005.
2011 Artisan Marketplace of York County - York Town Craft Guild; York, PA, 2011.
Yorkfest Juried Exhibition - Jordan Faye Block, Juror; YorkArts; York, PA, 2011.
Same Page - lowercase gallery; Wrightsville, PA, 2011.
Collectanea - lowercase gallery; Wrightsville, PA, 2011.
The Prufrock Project- Curated by Barbara DeCesare; York, PA, 2009.
PLACEmats - Where Exhibitions; public installations, Lancaster, PA, 2008. Closing exhibit: Parlor Art Space, Lancaster, PA, 2008.
A Year at Parlor - Curated by Brant Schuller; Parlor Art Space; Lancaster, PA, 2007.
Untitled - YorkArts Annual Writer's Eye Exhibit; YorkArts; York, PA, 2005.
Emerging Visions Student Invitational - YorkArts; York, PA, 2005. Award of Excellence.
Doshi Student Show - Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art, Susquehanna Art Museum; Harrisburg, PA, 2003. Award of Merit.
Member and Group Exhibitions
What Inspires Us - YorkArts; York, PA, 2010.
100 Under 100 - YorkArts; York, PA, 2009.
6 x 6 - The Infantree; Lancaster, PA 2009.
The Canvas Project 2 - public installation; Atlanta, GA, 2009. Closing exhibit: Art House Co-Op; Atlanta, GA, 2009.
Small Works/100 Under 100 - YorkArts; York, PA, 2007/08.
Small Works 2006 - YorkArts; York, PA, 2006/07.
Small Works 2005 - YorkArts: York, PA, 2005/06.
43rd Annual Open Art Award Exhibit - The Lancaster Museum of Art; Lancaster, PA, 2005.
Senior Show and Celebration - Pennsylvania College of Art & Design; Lancaster, PA, 2005.
Collections
Mr. Peter Vasali, York, PA; Mr. Ryan Rosengrant, Dover, PA; Ms. Susan Scofield, Red Lion, Pa; Mr. and Mrs. Blanton Amspacher, Red Lion, PA; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bisker, Wrightsville, PA; Mr. Kevin Lenkner and Ms. Kathleen Tunney, York, PA; Ms. Harriet Hacker, Lancaster, PA; Mr. Donald Wilson, Stewartstown, PA; Mrs. Suzanne Sult, York, PA; Mr. Marco Pavlesich, Lancaster, PA; Ms. Rachel Wenrick, Ithaca, NY; Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Lancaster, Pa.