VSW Staff

Nilson Carroll, Assistant Curator and Preservation Specialist

Nilson Carroll is an artist, game maker, curator, and educator working at the intersection of queer theory, video games, and glitch. At VSW, Nilson manages VSW’s digital transfer lab, teaches workshops, assists with the VSW Salon programming and curates installations. Nilson has an MFA from SUNY Brockport/VSW (2021).

Trevor Clement, Digital Printing Lab Technician

Trevor Clement is a photographer whose artworks are completed as installations, artists’ books, and interpretation into experimental sound. At VSW, Trevor manages the digital printing lab. As a freelance technician, he has worked with such artists and institutions as Gregory Halpern, Sally Mann, George Eastman Museum, Light Work, Aperture, FW: Books, Twin Palms Publishers, Transformer Station, and the States of Change fundraiser – which raised over $1.5 million to increase access to voting in the 2020 Presidential Election.

Hernease Davis, Assistant Curator Education and Public Programs

Hernease Davis is an artist, curator, and educator deeply engaged with contemporary photography. At VSW Hernease manages the artist residency program including production of the Project Space Podcast. She also programs photo related events for the VSW Salon and teaches workshops. Hernease has an MFA from ICP/Bard College (2011).

Jessica Johnston, Executive Director

Jessica Johnston is a curator, photography specialist and administrator. At VSW Jessica oversees the operations and strategic vision for the organization. Prior to VSW she was an assistant curator at the Eastman Museum for eight years. She has an MA in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University (2006).

Mary Lewandowski, Collections Manager

Mary Lewandowski is an artist, performer, and film projectionist. As collections manager in VSW’s abundant archive of films, books, videos, photography, and historical records and objects, she is passionate about imposing order and providing access. Mary has an MFA from SUNY Brockport/VSW (2021).

Tara Merenda Nelson, Chief Curator | Managing Editor of VSW Press

Tara Merenda Nelson is a filmmaker, curator, programmer and lecturer working with film, print and digital media. At VSW Tara is the lead programmer for the VSW Salon and Workshop Series, Chief Curator of exhibitions and oversees the cataloging, preservation and interpretation of the VSW collections. She is also the Managing Editor of VSW Press and FILM ART BOOK (FAB) imprint, including recent publications by Rose Lowder, Luther Price and Peggy Ahwesh. Tara has presented on magnetic media preservation and community engaged archives nationally and internationally, and lectured on curatorial strategy, installation and film/video production at Ithaca College, University of Rochester and Cornell University. Tara has an MFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (2011).

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