Learn, Mix & Mingle

Workshop by NoMAA & WHAA

From Studio to Spotlight:
Curate & Install to Own Your Show!

with Artist & Curator
Ruthy Valdez

TUESDAY, JUNE 23rd, 2026

Presentation: 5:30 – 6:45 PM

@ The FORUM at Columbia University
605 West 125th Street

Mix & Mingle: 6:45 – 8:30 PM, @ A local eatery in West Harlem
(exact location TBA)

About the Program

From studio to the spotlights, learn to curate, install & “Own Your Show” in this dynamic workshop designed for artists ready to take control of their narrative.

Participants will learn how to develop a cohesive exhibition concept, prepare and present their work professionally, and install a mini pop-up show in real time. 

Through hands-on exercises and guided instruction, artists gain practical tools to confidently showcase their work in galleries, pop-ups, and community spaces.”

About the Presenter

Your facilitator for this workshop will be Ruthy Valdez. Ruthy is a surrealist fine artist whose work has appeared at venues including Miami Art Basel and in curated Saatchi Art collections. Born and raised in West Harlem, her Dominican and Turkish heritage shapes her art with layered meaning and cultural fusion. Her work has appeared in poetry books, on album covers, and on VH1, Food Network, Telemundo, NY1, and ABC. In addition to her studio practice, Valdez is a curator, arts educator, and community advocate who has curated exhibitions and led workshops for underserved youth and communities. Her work continues to inspire by connecting cultural identity, personal narrative, and universal human themes.

SPONSORED BY: