Jennifer Adele Zwilling is an independent curator and educator actively exploring both the contemporary and historical creative life of Philadelphia. She was the Assistant Curator of American Decorative Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she worked for nearly ten years. She completed her Masters Degree in Art History at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. Her academic research focuses on late Nineteenth and early Twentieth century Philadelphia Decorative Art and Architecture, as well as the Modern and Contemporary Craft Movement. As an independent curator, her exhibitions have explored the themes of nurturing in contemporary art practices, the themes of humanity and nature in the opera La Boheme, and the inspirational nature of Frank Furness’ Philadelphia architecture. She is also a long-term adjunct instructor of Art History at Tyler School of Art as well as the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, developing classes focused on topics such as the History of Modern Craft, American Art, the history of illustration and the work of architect Frank Furness. Ms. Zwilling is especially interested in the intersections between Philadelphia’s rich cultural traditions and the city’s current vibrant artistic life.
Education
2001 Temple University, Philadelphia, PA MA, Art History
1999 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA BA, History (with honors), minor Art History and Spanish
Awards & Honors
2011 International Turning Exchange Resident Scholar, The Center for Art in Wood, Philadelphia, PA
Bibliography
Publications
"Craft Galleries 1960 - 1980,” Journal of the Archives of American Art, Spring 2012
Review of Wunderwerk, exhibition at The Philadelphia Art Alliance, November 2010, for Metalsmith Magazine, Spring 2011
Review of “Globalization in the Craft Movement,” a lecture given by Svenja John for The Commonwealth Series at The Philadelphia Art Alliance for Art Jewelry Forum, http://www.artjewelryforum.org/blog/2011/03/11/all-the-world-over-2/.
Review of The Compendium Finale of Contemporary Jewellery Makers by Andy Lim, 2009 for Metalsmith Magazine.
Review of The Artistic Furniture of Charles Rohlfs by Joseph Cunningham for Design and Culture, Berg Publications, forthcoming issue
“In Pursuit of New Truths: Innovation and Education,” Stanley Lechtzin: Five Decades, Exhibition Catalogue, Philadelphia Art Alliance, May 14 to July 29, 2009. Co-author with Elisabeth R. Agro.
Review of “Neoteric Matter,” Metalsmith Magazine, Vol. 29, No. 2
“Toward a New Appreciation of Ornamentation,” Decorative Resurgence, Exhibition Catalogue, Rowan University Art Gallery, April 20 – May 29, 2009
Co-Author, “Proceedings from the Philadelphia Museum of Art Period Room Symposium,” Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum. Winterthur Portfolio. Chicago [etc.]: University of Chicago Press [etc.], 2010. (forthcoming)
Professional Experience
Museum and Teaching Experience
2011 - present Adjunct Instructor, Art History, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Art History Instructor, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
2007 Art History Instructor, Arcadia University, Glenside, PA
2005 - present Long Term Adjunct Instructor, Art History, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
2005 - 2009 Curatorial Assistant, American Decorative Arts Department, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2005 and 2006 Museum Teacher, Division of Education, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2003 - 2005 Research Assistant, The Luce Survey of American Furniture, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2001 - 2003 Administrative Assistant, Volunteer Services Office, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
1999 Museum Assistant, The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Museum Studies Intern, American Art Department, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
1998 - 1999 Museum Assistant, Berman Museum of Art, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
Lectures and Talks
Co-Curator, "AllTURNatives: Form + Spirit," International Turning Exchange, Center for Art in Wood at the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
“Daniel Pabst at The Philadelphia Museum of Art,” Daniel Pabst Study Day, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Lecture “History of Contemporary Jewelry,” Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts and Sciences, Loveladies, NJ
2006 "Spotlight Talk: Bradley and Currier Co., Collector’s Box," Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2005 "Spotlight Talk: Interior Woodwork from 1921 Arch Street," Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
“Report on the Woodwork from 1921 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA: A Potential Late Nineteenth Century Period Room,” Philadelphia Museum of Art Period Room Symposium, Philadelphia, PA
2003 "Spotlight Talk: Frank Furness Desk," Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
"Liberty Belles: Women in the American Wing," Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Exhibitions
Curated
2012 – 2013 Inspired by Furness, Student Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Seasons of Change, InLiquid at URBN, Philadelphia, PA
Nurture: Art & Life Connected, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
