Dereck Stafford Mangus
Baltimore, MD
(857) 928 - 4491
dereck.mangus@gmail.com
EDUCATION
May 2016
Maryland Institute College of Art: Baltimore, MD
Master of Arts in Critical Studies
Thesis title: “Overview: On Aerial Photography, the Readymade, and Modern Warfare”
May 2013
Harvard University Extension School: Cambridge, MA
Master of Liberal Arts in Visual Arts
Thesis title: “The Persistence of and Resistance to Structure: The Grid-Square Construct in Western Visual Culture”
June 2005
University of Massachusetts: Boston, MA
Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art + Environmental Studies Program, Magna Cum Laude
Thesis title: “Work in Progress: Representations of the Built Environment”
EXPERIENCE
April 2021–present
Future Publishing House: Baltimore, MD
Guest Editor: Mid-Atlantic Tales
Selected as guest editor for forthcoming anthology of short stories by regional authors working in the horror and mystery genres. Duties include: reading entries, research and writing for an introduction that traces the history and theory behind the two genres, and further contextualizes and summarizes the stories in the collection via an engaging and informative prefatory essay.
Feb 2021–present
The Baltimore Museum of Art: Baltimore, MD
Guest Curator: Guarding the Art
Working as part of a team of 17 museum guards under the guidance of Dr. Lowery Stokes Sims to curate an exhibition based on works of art from the museum holdings with which we have a connection. Project involves working with various museum departments, from conservation and curatorial to education and marketing, to realize the exhibition, which opened in March 2022.
Sept 2020–present
The Baltimore Museum of Art: Baltimore, MD
Conservation Technician
For the past two seasons, worked as part of a team cleaning the artwork in the museum’s outdoor sculpture garden. Duties include washing, waxing, and buffing various sculptures including works by Alexander Calder, JoanMiró, Wangechi Mutu, Louise Nevelson, Isamu Noguchi, François Auguste René Rodin, and Tony Smith.
April 2020–present
Artblog: Philadelphia, PA
Contributing Writer
After receiving Honorable Mention for my essay, “Searching for God,” assumed contributing role as an architecture reviewer for the independent online publication. Inaugural review “Legoland Brutalism and the Building Blocks of Urban Development” and “On Dwelling, Anatomy and Architecture during Coronavirus” were both published in April 2020.
Oct 2019–present
Frieze Magazine: London, UK + New York, NY (Circulation: 37,000 annually)
Contributing Writer
Upon receiving Frieze Writer’s Prize 2018, assumed contributing role as an exhibition reviewer for the magazine. Inaugural review, “Artist Pat Steir Is Still Challenging the Postwar American Canon” was published online in January 2020, as well as in the March print edition.
Oct 2016–present
The Baltimore Museum of Art: Baltimore, MD
Frontline Staff
Promote and protect The Baltimore Museum of Art and its many collections, while providing excellent customer service in order to ensure an enjoyable museum experience for visitors. Duties include: greeting visitors, helping them with any questions they may have, and selling tickets to special events and exhibitions. Assist with research for educational and promotional materials. Worked as part of a team with other frontline staff and museum departments during the landmark exhibitions Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963–2017 and Mark Bradford: Tomorrow Is Another Day.
Jan 2016–May 2016
Maryland Institute College of Art: Baltimore, MD
Graduate Technical Assistant
Assisted with the overall maintenance and objectives of the graduate equipment and print lab, or Grad Lab. Duties included: checking equipment in and out, maintaining and monitoring the lab and its equipment, helping students with printing, charging student accounts for fees and late fines, and enforcing rules of the Grad Lab. Also assisted with printing color-managed professional-grade ink jet prints and high quality color laser prints.
Aug 2015–May 2016
Maryland Institute College of Art: Baltimore, MD
Graduate Program Assistant
Facilitated and promoted the Critical Studies graduate program objectives under the leadership and guidance of Program Director Jennie Hirsh, PhD. Duties included: serving as a liaison between the Graduate Office, students, and the program director, organizing guest visits and speaker itineraries, arranging studio and museum visits, and assisting with administrative tasks of the graduate program. Also organized the “Call for Papers” for the 4th Annual MA in Critical Studies Symposium at MICA, Re-orientations: Alternative Attitudes Toward Space and Self, with keynote speaker Manuel Cirauqui.
Aug 2015–May 2016
Maryland Institute College of Art: Baltimore, MD
Graduate Teaching Intern
Assisted with two undergraduate courses: “Modern Masters: Edgar Allan Poe” with Professor Mikita Brottman, PhD and “Film as Art: Madness and Melodrama” with David Sterritt, PhD. Duties included: reading assignments, keeping abreast of the course curriculum outlined in the syllabi, responding to student blog posts on a weekly basis, and taking attendance.
Sept 2009–Aug 2015
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Boston, MA
Patrol Officer
Protected prestigious art collection while ensuring visitor safety. Served as front-line provider of customer service to museum patrons. Operated security systems, completed patrols, monitored galleries and other museum spaces, inspected art objects for damage, reported suspicious activity, and enforced museum rules and regulations. From 2009-2012, worked through transitional phase of a new museum wing opening, collaborating with other departments and staff to ensure its success.
Aug 2001–June 2008
Harvard Art Museums: Cambridge, MA
Museum Attendant
Provided skillful interaction with a diversity of visitors under a variety of circumstances. Monitored galleries, inspected art objects for damage, and reported suspicious activity. In 2003, re-instated the Staff Art Show, which involved organizing participants, working with the Exhibitions Department to install and de-install the show, and creating logistical and promotional materials for the opening.
May 2004–May 2005
Watermark Arts Journal: Boston, MA (Circulation: 6,000 annually)
Art Editor
Oversaw the production of student arts journal, which included creating promotional materials, conferring with other editors over the direction and policies of the journal, and securing Boston gallerist Joseph Carroll of Carroll and Sons Art Gallery to serve as an outside juror for art submissions.
March 2004–May 2005
Environmental Studies Program, University of Massachusetts: Boston, MA
Video Documentary Intern
Worked as part of a team on an EPA-funded public advocacy documentary, chronicling the work of the environmental justice group Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE) in the underrepresented neighborhood of Roxbury in Boston. Duties included shooting and editing digital video footage and providing creative input during the production and post-production phases of the project. Excerpts of the video were presented by our team at the 22nd North American Association of Environmental Education in Biloxi, MS.
Feb 2002–May 2005
Arts On the Point: Boston, MA
Graphic Designer + Student Representative
Designed all promotional and outreach materials for public sculpture park, including informational brochures, maps, and posters for gallery talks that showcased notable speakers including local curators, park artists such as William Tucker, and various civic leaders from the Boston area.
Dec 2003–June 2004
The Boston Globe Newspaper: Boston, MA (Circulation: 500,000 daily)
Editorial Design Co-op
Contributed to the cover layout designs of "TV Week" and "Calendar Choice" spread, contacting major TV networks and other outside agencies to obtain permission for photo usage. Assisted in administrative tasks that supported the department objectives.
Aug 2001–May 2003
The Mass Media: Boston, MA (Circulation: 5,000 weekly)
Art Director
Improved the overall aesthetic of student newspaper through significant upgrades that included larger, more dynamic photographs and a more user-friendly design, resulting in positive student body feedback and increased readership. Created "Art to the Editor," a weekly section featuring art students and their work, and significantly enhanced the "Question of the Week" section.
VOLUNTEER
Nov 2020
Wyman Park Dell: Baltimore, MD
Volunteer
Helped Friends of Wyman Park Dell clean up the public park, picking up litter.
Sept 2017
Baltimore Book Festival: Baltimore, MD
Assistant
Represented The Baltimore Museum of Art at the 2017 Baltimore Book Festival.
March 2017
Light City: Baltimore, MD
Assistant
Volunteered as an assistant for Light City Baltimore, the first large-scale, international light festival in the United States.
June 2004–Dec 2012
Somerville Bicycle Committee: Somerville, MA
Graphic Designer + Photographer
Provided pro bono work for city committee promoting bicycle use and safety. Designed posters for annual bicycle rides.
Oct 1999–June 2008
Whats Up Magazine /
Spare Change News: Boston / Cambridge, MA (Circulation: 10,000 biweekly)
Graphic Designer + Photographer
Volunteered for two different Boston-area homelessness awareness publications for several years.
SKILLS
Highly competent in research, writing, and editing. Extensive experience in art direction, graphic design, photography, photo-editing, and digital video production. Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Power-Point), Final Cut Pro, Microsoft Outlook, Raiser's Edge, and the collections management system TMS. Familiarity with HTML. Professional experience with ink jet and laser printing. Ample experience in exhibition design, preparation, installation and deinstallation, guided tours, and public speaking. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Solid background in modern and contemporary art history and art theory. Also an avid cyclist.
EXHIBITIONS
Winter 2022
Five Themes Project
Group Exhibition
Manifest Gallery
2727 Woodburn Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Fall 2021
Epiphanies
Group Exhibition
Manifest Gallery
2727 Woodburn Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Summer 2021
Cut: Works Made by Cutting
Group Exhibition
Manifest Gallery
2727 Woodburn Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
Summer 2021
National Juried Exhibition
Group Exhibition
Delaplaine Arts Center
40 S. Carroll Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Spring 2021
Out of Order
Virtual Art Auction
Maryland Art Place
218 W. Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Winter 2021
Bearing Witness
Virtual Group Exhibition
Hamilton Gallery
5502 Harford Road
Baltimore, MD 21214
Winter 2020
Constructed
Group Exhibition
Full Circle Gallery
33 E. 21st Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
Fall 2019
Urban Tales
Group Exhibition
InSquare Gallery
19 S. Stricker Street
Baltimore, MD 21223
Spring 2019
Street Dreams
Group Exhibition
Atlas Fine Arts
823 Park Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201
Out of Order
Art Auction
Maryland Art Place
218 W. Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Fall 2018
Under $500
Art Auction
Maryland Art Place
218 W. Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Off the Web
Group Exhibition
The Peale Center for Baltimore
History & Architecture
225 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Art on the Fly
Group Exhibition
Maryland State Arts Council
175 W. Ostend Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Summer 2018
Museum Staff Exhibition
The Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
Spring 2017
Artomatic
Large Group Exhibition
1800 South Bell Street
Arlington, VA 22202
Winter 2012
Solo Exhibition
Space with a Soul
281 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Spring 2011
Built in Boston
Group Exhibition
Work Bar Boston
711 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
Fall 2008
Two-person Exhibition
The Other Side Café
407 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115
Spring 2005
Work in Progress: Representations of the Built Environment
Senior Thesis Exhibition
Harbor Art Gallery
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Summer 2003
Museum Staff Exhibition
Harvard Art Museums
32 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Spring 2003
Two-person Exhibition
Grossmann Gallery
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Fall 2002
Nantucket Light
Group Exhibition
Artists Association of Nantucket
19 Washington Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
Spring 2002
Community Art Exhibition
Boston Public Library
300 North Harvard Street
Allston, MA 02134
Spring 2001
Student Exhibition
Harbor Art Gallery
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Fall 2000
The Animal Inside
Group Exhibition
Harbor Art Gallery
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Summer 1999
La Fête du Sisk
Group Exhibition
The First Parish in Cambridge
3 Church Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
PUBLICATIONS
March 2022
“Joan Mitchell’s Ode to Spring”
Frieze
March 2022
“Why We Need Unions at Art Museums”
Hyperallergic
Feb 2022
“Can an Exhibition Selected by Museum Guards Address Inequality at Museums?”
Hyperallergic
Dec 2021
“Waiting for the Dust to Settle”
Artblog
Oct 2021
“Holding on to the Past while Ruining the Present”
Artblog
Sept 2021
“Formstoned in Baltimore”
Artblog
Aug 2021
“Second Shot: A Post-vaccine Wander Through Historic Baltimore”
Artblog
June 2021
“A Museum in Flux”
Full Bleed, Issue 5
Dec 2020
“Converting the Church”
Artblog
Nov 2020
“Charm City Double Feature: A Tale of Two Historic Theaters”
Artblog
Sept 2020
“At Home at The Baltimore Museum of Art: Mickalene Thomas’ A Moment’s Pleasure”
Artblog
April 2020
“On Dwelling, Anatomy and Architecture during Coronavirus”
Artblog
April 2020
“Legoland Brutalism and the Building Blocks of Urban Development”
Artblog
Feb 2020
“Searching for God at the PMA, but Finding Solace at the Barnes”
Artblog
Jan 2020
“Artist Pat Steir Is Still Challenging the Postwar American Canon”
Frieze, No. 209
Nov 2019
“In the Galleries: Children’s Takes on Contemporary Art”
BMA Stories
May 2019
“Picabia’s Révérence”
Full Bleed, Issue 3
Sept 2018
Exhibition review of Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963–2017
Frieze Writer’s Prize Winner
May 2018
“Feel the Color: Mark Bradford”
Full Bleed, Issue 2
June 2013
“A Chromatic Mix: Reviewing the Ten Artists Group Exhibit”
ArtsEditor
AWARDS
2020
Finalist
Penn Institute for Urban Research “Cities and Contagion” Photo Contest
2020
Honorable Mention
Artblog Art Writing Challenge
2018
Winner
Frieze Writer’s Prize
2005
Book Prize Recipient
UMass Boston Art Department
2003
Sam Walker Scholarship
UMass Boston Art Department
2002
Vivian Carolyn Savio Scholarship
UMass Boston Art Department
