Paul M. Nicholson joined Ithaca College in the summer of 2022 as Director of the Handwerker Gallery. Since his arrival, he has deeply engaged with the campus community, prioritizing the idea that academic exhibitions are best realized when paired with robust public programming. Under his direction, the gallery fosters connection through artist talks, critiques, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He credits the success of these initiatives to a dedicated student staff, the Art, Art History, and Architecture [AAHA] Departments, and colleagues across the college.
A highlight of his tenure occurred in 2023, when the Handwerker revitalized the Rotunda Teaching Gallery, a space that had been shuttered for over a decade. By modifying the infrastructure to better secure artwork, the Rotunda now serves as a provisional teaching space where faculty can showcase in-class projects adjacent to the main galleries, allowing students to share their work with the wider community.
Paul came to Ithaca from Muhlenberg College, where he served as Director of the Martin Art Gallery for seven years. There, he curated dozens of contemporary exhibitions, managed the permanent collection, and expanded the gallery’s physical footprint. Previously, he founded several non-profit art spaces in New York City and Buffalo and worked in administration at the Parsons School of Design. Paul is also a multidisciplinary artist holding an MFA from SUNY Buffalo and a BFA from SUNY Fredonia. To see some of his recent work, please check out his Instagram.