Locust Talks - a Curatorial Speaker Series since 2013

Founded in 2013 by Locust Projects, Locust Talks provides direct access to the top curators and ideas driving contemporary art today, through a year-long series of conversations presented by Locust Projects. 

During intimate conversations, the arts leaders featured in each season of Talks will talk about their curatorial vision and practice, the art and artists that have shaped their careers, and how they support the work of artists whether in museums or non-traditional spaces. Each will also visit the studios of local artists, providing feedback and visibility that can build a bridge between artists working in Miami and the international cultural community.

From spring 2018 to spring 2024, Talks was co-produced/presented with Oolite Arts featuring 36 Talks that supported more than 180 Miami-based artists with studio visits with visiting curators and museum directors. Speakers included: Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Nicholas Baume, Naomi Beckwith, Ian Berry, Kerry Brougher, Valerie Cassel Oliver, Dan Cameron, Erin Christovale, Lynne Cooke, Amada Cruz, José Carlos Diaz, Adrienne Edwards, Rita Gonzalez, Deana Haggag, Lauren Haynes, Rujeko Hockley, Ruba Katrib, Rachel Kent, Denise Markonish, Helen Molesworth, Dominic Molon, Humberto Moro, Diana Nawi, Lars Nittve, Larry Ossei-Mensah, Jose Roca, Trevor Schoonmaker, Paul Schimmel, Nato Thompson, Fatoş Ustek, Gilbert Vicario, Olga Viso, Hamza Walker, Julie Rodrigues Widholm, and Heidi Zuckerman. Art Critc Jerry Saltz kicked off 2023.

Locust Talks was originally founded by Locust Projects in 2013 with a Knight Foundation grant as a curatorial speaker series with studio visits for local artists. From 2013-2017 speakers included: 

• Fairfax Dorn, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ballroom Marfa, Marfa, TX 

• Peter Eleey, Curator, MOMA PS1, Long Island City, NY

• Lauri Firstenberg, Founding Director and Chief Curator of LAXART

• Louis Grachos, Ernest and Sarah Butler Executive Director, The Contemporary Austin, TX

• Jens Hoffmann, Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Public Programs, The Jewish Museum, NY

• Tina Kukielski, Co-Curator of the 2013 Carnegie International and Curator of the Hillman Photography Initiative, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh

• Anne Pasternak, President and Artistic Director, Creative Time, New York, NY

• Jenelle Porter, Mannion Family Senior Curator, ICA Boston

• Franklin Sirmans, Terri and Michael Smooke Department Head and Curator of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art

• Massimiliano Gioni, Artistic Director, New Museum, NY

• Michael Darling, James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

• Mary Ceruti, Executive Director and Chief Curator, SculptureCenter, NY

• Nancy Spector, Deputy Director, Brookly Museum of Art, NY

• Ali Subotnik, Adjunct Curator, Hammer Museum, Los Angeles