Biography
Marilyn Chen is an Atlanta based artist, curator, and performer. She studied fine art painting at the Atlanta College of Art, and then transferred to SCAD-Atlanta in 2006, when the two schools merged. She continued the ACA curriculum allowing her to pursue photography as well as Painting. This helped her achieve the Forward Arts Foundation Scholarship. As Art Director of The Connector, the SCAD-Atlanta student run newspaper, Marilyn received an award for Student Leadership as well as the "Best Performer Under Pressure Award." She also won multiple awards for the newspaper through GCPA. During her years at SCAD, Marilyn's work has been exhibited at Eyedrum, MOCA, MODA,The High Museum, as well as other alternative art spaces. She has also curated conceptually driven fine art shows through her school as well as established professional galleries. Marilyn is interested in issues that revolve around women, addiction, sexuality, violence, and dream psychology. Her works explores the medium of painting, photography, installation, dance and alternative media. She was a co-founder and served on the board of directors of the non-profit organization, MINT Inc, Atlanta, Ga. MINT is dedicated to providing a networking conduit for Georgia’s art communities including established and emerging artists. Marilyn also worked with the Addo Foundation as Creative Director. Marilyn is currently working as a fine art painter at Devenzia Studios as well as beginning her own commercial photography business. Marilyn also performer and owns a specialty entertainment company, Liquid Sky, that specializes in high quality acts and productions.
Resume
Education
Atlanta College of Art –Student Senate, Last Graduating class to Graduate from ACA.
Savannah College of Art and Design/ ACA - BFA Fine Arts.
2008 Valedictorian
Concentration in Painting & Photography
Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s List, Student Media
Grants/Awards
2008 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award
2008 SCAD Student Leadership Award
2008 Best Performer Under Pressure Award
2008 GCPA award for Best Layout and Design
2007 Forward Arts Foundation Scholarship
2007 Connector Student Leadership Award
2006 Carmichael Endowed Scholarship
2006 ACA Merit Scholarship
Curatorial Experience
2010 The Addo Foundation’s First Annual Silent Art Auction, Havana, Atlanta, GA
2008 Dorito Art Show, MINT Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2008 MINT Selects, MINT Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2007 Take Flight, Young Blood Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2007 WINDOWS, The Doo Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2007 Monster Wars, Apache Café, Atlanta, GA
Film Experience
2014 The Crossroads Project: Aerial Theatrical Film
2013 Aash Music video. “ Make me wanna go Oh”
2013 Asphalt Valentine Music video. “Living Dreams”
2013 Catering Wars: The Circus & The Civil War
2013 The Originals Specialty Aerial Silk Performer
Producer/Director
2014 Exposed. 7 Stages. Aerial Theater. Producer/Director.
2013 The Dead Can Dance. Director. Music Video
2013 Operas Shit Show. Director of Specialty Talent.
Performance Experience
2011-2014 Multiple weekly performances in aerial, fire, and or dance for corporate, nightlife, and artistic events.
Full theatrical shows to ambient entertainment. Director of entertainers.
Past Employment
Godlike Productions – Graphic design/ Web design
Alien-earth.org – Graphic design/ Promotions
Ritual Entertainment - Director of Photography
The Connector 2007-2008 – Art Director – Photographer
Mint Gallery 2007-2009 – Nonprofit. Founder. Gallery Management. Board Member. Curator
Curatorial Experience, fundraising, benefit and event production, sponsorship
Design and promotions of art related events and organizations
Design and identity for gallery publicity, advertising, web and creative services
Artist/ Gallery/ Community relations
Foster & Associates 2008-2009– Digital Specialist & Photo Retoucher
Photo Retouching, File Management, Image manipulation
Worked in fast deadline driven atmosphere
Addo Foundation and Gallery 2009-2010 – Nonprofit. Manager/Art Director/Curator
Designed and managed a nonprofit foundation and gallery
Curatorial Experience, fundraising, benefit and event production, sponsorship
Design and promotions of art related events
Design and identity for gallery publicity, advertising, web and creative services
Admin for Foundation and Gallery: Created internal documents such as Office Policy
and Procedures Manuals, Volunteer Applications, Artist Consignment Agreements
Researched and maintained relationships with local artists by conducting studio visits
Fundraising
Safely managed the shipping of large artworks
Michael C. Carlos Museum 2011- 2012
Docent
Current Employment
DaVenzia Studios 2006- current – Gallery Promoter, Fine Art Painter, Photographer
Marilyn Chen Freelance Photography 2007- current
Photography in both digital and analog formats
35mm, Medium Format, Large Format
Photo editing, color correcting,
Advanced control of Photoshop manipulation and retouching
Fashion, lifestyle, still life, beauty, product, environmental portraits,
SkyGym 2011- current
Aerial Silks Instructor 2011-current. Advance aerial and stretch instruction.
Liquid Sky 2011- current
Owner, Creative Director, Aerialist, Dancer, Choreographer, Producer