Art Mile and Independent Curators International (ICI) are pleased to present a panel discussion with Art Mile’s Inaugural Curatorial Fellow, Juana Williams, in conversation with Detroit-based multidisciplinary artist, Ellen Rutt. The two will discuss the symbiotic relationship of humans and their natural environments, healing properties of collaborative creation and immersing oneself in nature—key themes that are presented in William’s exhibition, Breathe. An introduction will be given by ICI Director, Renaud Proch.

JUANA WILLIAMS (she/her) is a visual arts curator and writer based in Detroit, Michigan. Her curatorial practice predominantly focuses on deconstructing cultural and social issues, and attempts to provide a dialogue within which these issues can be discussed. Williams recently joined the Library Street Collective team as the Director of Exhibitions. She previously served as the Exhibitions Curator at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prior to joining UICA, Williams held multiple positions at various art institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, the Wayne State University Art Department Gallery, the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. She holds a BA in Art and an MA in Art History, both from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

ELLEN RUTT (she/they) is an interdisciplinary artist and co-op organizer living on the ancestral land of the Anishinaabe peoples, currently known as Detroit. Rutt graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan. She has exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit Institute of Arts, The Urban Institute of Contemporary Art Grand Rapids, East Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art, Pt. 2 Gallery, Los Angeles and has completed murals and installations in locations around the world including France, New York, San Francisco, Canada, and Hawaii, among others. She has been featured in Juxtapoz, Forbes, W Magazine, Alive Magazine, LOAM Magazine, and was named one of 24 changemakers in 2020 by Hour Detroit Magazine.