Rising Stars: Meet Shanna Shelby

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanna Shelby. 

Hi Shanna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I am the daughter of an artist and I have been in the arts my entire life. I taught art history, I worked in a museum, I was a paper conservator lab assistant, worked in a frame shop, and am a Certified Fine Art Appraiser. I have been a Curator for twenty years and have worked with private collectors and institutions across the country, Canada, and Europe. The last nine years I have been working with Arts & Venues curating exhibitions for the McNichols Civic Center Building right in downtown Denver. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The transition from working as an independent curator to working for the City of Denver was difficult. There are so many processes in place it was a very steep learning curve to be able to really create and produce creative content. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I had been thinking that the fine arts are not always as approachable to many people in a way that fashion is. So, this year, I am producing a series of Cultural Runways that highlight a particular culture and the fashion runway takes place in the exhibition space. I kicked off the series on March 12 highlighting the Japanese culture. The exhibition features Japanese Zen Garden photography by William Corey and the runway included traditional kimono paired with contemporary headdresses designed by Stephanie Inagaki. I also featured local Japanese American designers Rachael Lavine and Kotomi Yoshida. The next runway will celebrate Pride Month with a drag runway on June 11, Street culture will be highlighted July 23, and the Native American culture on October 15. 

What does success mean to you?
The night of the runway was an incredible experience. Each person who was in the room that had a part to play and each person really felt that they contributed something. Then at the end of the experience we all felt like we went through something together and really had a profound sense of community. To me, that is the power of art and the measure of a successful event. 

Contact Info:

• Email: Shanna.Shelby@denvergov.org
• Website: https://www.mcnicholsbuilding.com/

Image Credits
Lexie Bader
Stephanie Inagaki Taiko
Thomas Knight
Zen Garden photography
William Corey
Arlee Shelby
Jonathan Phillips Photography