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 a filmmaker, performance artist, cataloger and media arts specialist. At VSW Mary facilitates access to the photography, film and library collections, teaches workshops, curates programs and assists with the VSW Salon. She has an MFA from SUNY Brockport/VSW (2021).

Tara Merenda Nelson, Curator and Director of Public Programs; Managing Editor, VSW Press

Tara Merenda Nelson is a filmmaker, curator, programmer and lecturer working with film and digital media. At VSW Tara oversees the cataloging, preservation and interpretation of the VSW collections, and is the lead programmer for the VSW Salon and Workshop Series. She is also the Managing Editor of VSW Press/Film Artist Book (FAB). Prior to VSW, Tara lectured at Ithaca College, University of Rochester and Cornell University, and worked as an intern at the Harvard Film Archive and WGBH’s Antiques Roadshow. Tara has an MFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (2011).

Tate Shaw, Editor VSW Press 

Tate Shaw is an artist, writer, publisher, and curator. At VSW Tate is the  Editor of Visual Studies Workshop Press where he works with artists and the community to conceive,  produce and distribute books. He is also the Director of Tower Fine Arts Gallery and Associate Professor at SUNY Brockport.

Board of Trustees

Joan Lyons, President
Artist, Publisher, VSW Press Founder

Richard M. Leicht, Treasurer
CPA, Principal, The Bonadio Group

Evelyne Leblanc Roberge, Secretary
Artist, Associate Professor, University of Rochester

Roger Bruce
Director of Interpretation, George Eastman Museum (1993-2011); Director, New York State Artist Fellowship Program, NYFA (1984-89)

Colleen Buzzard
Artist, Colleen Buzzard Studio

Almudena Escobar Lopez
Independent Curator, Archivist and Researcher, Assistant Professor Toronto Metropolitan University

Jessica Johnston (ex officio)
Executive Director, VSW

Tate Shaw (ex officio)
Artist, Writer, Editor VSW Press

Mizin Shin
Co-founder Mirabo Press, Buffalo, NY and Assistant Professor, University of Rochester

Stephen Stefano, Esq.
Attorney, Stefano Law Firm, PLLC