Let the Art Speak: Between Friends | Curator, Visual Artist, Writer

This panel discussion was recorded from our annual arts conference, Let the Art Speak: Between Friends. The panelists include Melissa Shackelford (curator), Leslie Iwai (visual artist), and Susi Jensen (writer).

Melissa Shackelford is the Director of Program Curation and Community Impact at Upper House.

Leslie Iwai is an installation artist and sculptor. With an undergraduate degree in mathematics and chemistry from Wayne State College in Nebraska and a Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech, her work is multidisciplinary and material rich. From the Midwest, Iwai cut her artistic teeth in Omaha, Nebraska. Leslie was the first recipient of the Bemis Community Arts Fellowship (2005), and most recently was the Artist in Residence for Urbana 2018 amongst many other awards and residencies. She now enjoys living and exploring Wisconsin with her husband where she makes art, collaborates, and connects with her local community.

Susi Jensen is a Stanford creative writing graduate. She worked as a college minister for ten years at UC Berkeley following graduation, then started writing dramas for the stage. She turned toward science fiction writing about ten years ago and is currently working on a final edit of her Young Adult science fiction novel, Sarai of Earth. Susi consumes a lot of sci-fi via all mediums and reviews all of what she sees, hears, and reads at her author website, allscifiallthetime.com.