The Brooklyn Rail

Kathleen Gilrain is the Executive Director and Chief Curator of Smack Mellon. Kathleen launched the Artist Studio Program soon after her arrival at the organization in 2000 and created Art Ready, a mentorship program for high school students. In 2004 she led the organization through a capital campaign and the renovation of 1880s boiler house to become Smack Mellon’s home. Prior to joining Smack Mellon, she was the Executive Director of Socrates Sculpture Park from 1995 to 2000 where she presented exhibitions of large-scale projects by emerging, mid career and renowned artists. Throughout her career Kathleen has been dedicated to supporting female identifying artists and artists of color, providing opportunities for a diverse group including our youngest artists, NYCs teens. Kathleen is also an artist and she is an Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn College.