Interview with Tom Montan, November 13 2024
Journal Title
No Thumbnail Available
Issue Date
2024-11-13
Authors
Publisher
Cooperstown Graduate Program, State University of New York at Oneonta
Keywords
Art Residency , Carlie Trosclair , Hyperallergic , Painting
Abstract
Tom Montan is the current CEO of Sculpture Space in Utica, New York. Originally from California, Mr. Montan moved across the country eight years ago to pursue his love for art through his role at Sculpture Space. Prior to Sculpure Space, Mr. Montan worked for a large-scale bookstore operation in California for over 20 years, where he worked as their marketing director before becoming the chief executive officer. Mr. Montan is also an artist; his work is mostly figurative portraiture paintings, but he has also experimented with sculptural casting and other mediums. Tom is a passionate advocate for artists, serving on many art boards and councils, and is also a landlord in the Oneonta, New York region.
Hosting up to 20 artists every year, Sculpture Space is an artist residency program located in Utica, New York. Sculpture Space was founded almost 50 years ago in an old boilermaker plant by Charlie Fisher and John von Bergen where the mission, as described by Mr. Montan, is to support artists. Artists from all over the world come to Sculpture Space for two months to create and experiment with their artistic processes.
Mr. Montan’s managerial and creative experiences paired with his deep love for the arts are evident in the interview. Much of the interview focuses on Mr. Montan’s vision for Sculpture Space, potential future endeavors in the form of programs, fundraising activities, as well as bettering the residency experience. In discussing Mr. Montan’s role at Sculpture Space, conversations surrounding the rapid changes in art arose, particularly about sculptural mediums and process evolving.
I interviewed Mr. Montan at the Sculpture Space studio. Prior to the interview, Mr. Montan gave me a tour of the space, including the outdoor sculpture gardens. He makes mention of some of these prior conversations during the course of the interview.