Dr Koosel in Venice as part of a research trip in 2024
Dr. Koosel at the Vancouver Art Gallery with Curatorial Assistant Ryan Trafananko and Julie Martin on a research trip in 2022
We are excited to congratulate Dr. Stacey Koosel, Curator of UBC Okanagan Gallery on her new Assistant Professor position at Brandon University. We want to take a moment to share what Dr Stacey Koosel has founded at UBC Okanagan, in syilx territory. When Dr Koosel first arrived in her curatorial position in 2019 she had a vision to work with artists to create a professional gallery program as well as manage and add to the campus public art collection. This vision became the basis on which the UBC Okanagan Gallery organization within the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies was founded.
Dr. Koosel at the 2024 Indigenous Art Intensive with Heather Igloliorte, Director Tania Willard and Curatorial Assistant Ryan Trafananko
In her four years with the gallery, Dr Koosel has developed a mandate for Indigenous art acquisition for the permanent collection, had numerous exhibitions, partnered with the Indigenous Art Intensive to deliver the annual program, launched the downtown gallery project and secured successful grants for ongoing support to professional artists as well as supporting programming and research with students and faculty. “We are so grateful for Dr Stacey Koosel’s work and vision,” Director Willard shares, “The path that Dr Koosel has laid out allows me to step in and carry the vision alongside Dr Koosel.” Dr. Koosel will continue to support the program for the Indigenous Art Intensive and collaborate with UBC Okanagan Gallery within her new position as Assistant Professor with IshKaabatens Waasa Gaa Inaabateg Department of Visual Art at Brandon University.
Dr. Koosel with homemade bannock
On behalf of all the staff at UBC Okanagan Gallery, we can’t thank Stacey enough and wish her well in her new position as we continue to collaborate in research and bring cutting edge exhibitions to regional areas with particular focuses on decolonial practices.