Community News

Ja:goh Kari Karsten

Submitted by Karen Karsten

Kari Karsten, daughter of Karen Karsten and Kevin Gates, has graduated with her Masters in Museology (Museum Studies) from the University of Washington. She previously graduated from Syracuse University with her B.S. in Communications and Rhetorical Studies.

She focused her studies on Indigenous curatorial practices and equity work. She is currently working as the emerging museum professional curatorial intern at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) and as the program assistant for the Bill Holm Center for Northwest Native Studies. Previously, she has worked at various institutions such as the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum, ArtRage Gallery, and the Albright Knox. Centering on Indigenous curation methodology, her work focuses on decolonization practices and strives to provide well-rounded representations of marginalized communities within museum settings. Her most recent exhibition, completed for her thesis, is titled “Indigenous Matrix: Northwest Women Printmakers,” and debuts at SAM in June 2022 and will run through December 2022.

She is also working as an independent curator for two Native Art shows for the Columbia City Gallery, in Seattle, WA slated for 2023.