Last summer Paul M. Nicholson joined Ithaca College as the new Director of the Handwerker Gallery. Since his arrival in the May 2022 he has enjoyed getting to know Ithaca, its students, and his many gracious colleagues who have welcomed him into the community. The first year featured a series of successful exhibitions with artists from all over the northeast. For this 2023-2024 school year, the Handwerker returns with guest curators, more dynamic exhibitions, and ultimately culminating in our annual Senior Show, guest curated by a graduating senior. His continued campus engagement through public programming is made possible by his talented and dedicated student student staff and the support of the Art, Art History, and Architecture Departments of Ithaca College. Additionally, the Handwerker is pleased to announce the return of a beloved exhibition space, the Rotunda Gallery, which has been shuttered for over a decade. This revitalization was made possible through the construction of an additional wall, which will allow us to better secure works in our care. The Rotunda space will be used as a teaching gallery where faculty can highlight projects happening in their classes in a space adjacent to the Handwerker's main galleries. This provisional space will be managed in part by Handwerker Gallery Monitors studying art and promises greater access to exhibition more students throughout the year.
Paul came to Ithaca College from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he was the Director of the Martin Art Gallery for the past seven years. As Director of the Martin, he curated dozens of contemporary art exhibitions, oversaw its permanent collection, and expanded its physical footprint. He also worked to integrate the gallery more fully into the intellectual life of the college and the wider Lehigh Valley arts community. Before moving to Muhlenberg, he founded several non-profit art galleries and spaces in New York City and Buffalo and worked in student advising and program administration at the Parsons School of Design.
He is also a multidisciplinary artist with a MFA in Art from SUNY Buffalo and a BFA from SUNY Fredonia. To see some of his recent work, please check out his Instagram.