Gutfreund Cornett Art, an independent curatorial partnership between Sherri Cornett and Karen Gutfreund, specialized in creating exhibition opportunities for artists on themes of “art as activism” to stimulate dialog, raise consciousness and create social change. With backgrounds in national and international projects, advocacy, non-profits, government, corporate art and a successful history in DIY Blockbuster shows on feminist issues, Cornett and Gutfreund combined these skills to provide unique opportunities for artists, communities and relevant non-profit collaborators to come together around social and environmental themes.    
RISE: Empower, Change and Action!
Curated by Gutfreund Cornett Art (Sherri Cornett and Karen Gutfreund), Suzanne Whitney-Smedt and Marianne McGrath

Whitney Modern Gallery, Los Gatos,
California, July 18 - August 31, 2018

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CURATORIAL ESSAYS by Sherri Cornett and Karen Gutfreund
RISE: Empower, Change and Action! brings artists into dialogue and brings forth what is important to self, community, our nation and the world at large through art that reflects on, addresses and seeks solutions for a more positive, empowering future, particularly for self-identified women and girls as well as their families. It is underpinned by the feminist principle that believes in political, economic and social equality for all. ​​

Artists with works in the gallery:
Roberta Ahrens,  Paula Bullwinkel, Mague Calanche, Marie Cameron, Lindsey Carrell, Irene Carvajal, Indira Cesarine, Nayda Cuevas, Carolyn Doucette, Sally  Edelstein, Vanessa Filley, Shelly Floyd, Anitra Frazier, Rinat Goren, Marisa Govin, Maeve Grogan, Karuna Gutowski, Rozanne Hermelyn Di Silvestro, Gina Herrera, Michael Holt, Blond Jenny, Beth Lakamp, Chandrika Marla, Gloria Matuszewski, Kelsey McDonnell, Penny McElroy, Rosemary Meza-DesPlas, Priscilla Otani, Amy Pleasant, Jenny Reinhardt, Brian Rothstein, Sondra Schwetman, Sarupa Sidaarth, Winnievan der Rijn,Kim Wilson

Additional works:
​In order to accommodate as many viewpoints as possible and expand the conversation beyond the physical limitations of the gallery, additional works were selected to be shown in a looped slideshow in the gallery by these artists:
Roberta Ahrens, Florence Alfano McEwin, Chloe Allred, Jenny E. Balisle, Michele Benzamin-Miki, Marie Bergstedt, Ceciley Blanchard, Marie Cameron, Eleanor Epstein, Leslie Getz, Christine Giancola, Gina Herrera, Janet Hiller, Tara Malone, Julie Meridian, Karis Painter, Cherie Redlinger, Jenny Reinhardt, Dana Richardson, Edward L. Rubin, Hilary Saner, Kathy Taylor, Lauren Thomas, Kathy Weaver
Beyond Borders: Stories of im/Migration
Venue: Santa Clara University
Dates: January 8 - April 7, 2018
Exhibition Reception: February 2, 2018
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Curatorial Essays
Migrations of humanity, whether instigated by war, conflict, persecution, poverty or climate change, transport peoples from the known, their homes, families and communities, to the unknown. Beyond Borders: Stories of im/Migration explores the personal and observed narratives surrounding the struggles of flight, the immigration process, asylum, assimilation, deportation, threats of violence and the perception of being “other” within the American culture. Despite the complex assortment of legal, social, emotional and physical challenges, increasing numbers still trade these risks for the chance of safer, better lives for themselves and their families. Beyond Borders acknowledges the dignity, dreams and sacrifices of these people and reflects on where we are going, individually and as community. 
 
Gutfreund Cornett Art believes art can transcend language barriers, strengthen understanding, stimulate greater compassion between displaced people and the communities that receive them, move us to action and advocacy and create visions for a new, more inclusive society. 

Artists:
​Tessie Barrera-Scharaga, Carlos Cartagena, Rolando Chicas, Kathryn Clark, Judy Gelles, Taraneh Hemami, Diane Kahlo, Sana Krusoe, Erin McKeown/Stephen Brackett/Shawn King,  Delilah Montoya, Julio Cesar Morales, Gala Narezo/Shamina de Gonzaga/Chantal Fischzang, Priscilla Otani, Judith Quax, Zahava Sherez, Sin Huella Collective, Yu-Wen Wu, Doerte Weber, Shannon Wright
Social Justice: It Happens to One, It Happens to All
Venue:  Saint Mary's College Museum of Art
Dates: September 18 - December 11, 2016
In Conversation with the Artists, September 18, 1:15 p.m.
Exhibition Reception, September 18, 3 p.m.
Special Recognition Juror: Sandra Fluke, social justice attorney and women's rights activist
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"Why" Exhibition Catalog Essay by Sherri Cornett
“If you want peace, work for justice” - Pope John Paul VI 
​
GCA asked artists to respond to:
​Art can inspire change and bring people together, crossing the borders of cultures and languages. Artists challenge the norm, imagine the potential and inspire social change.
 
For some, the United States is a true manifestation of the “American Dream”, yet, for many individuals both nationally and globally, basic human and civil rights are abridged and jeopardized with a judicial system that has eroded confidence and trust, and with racism propagated through groups that have systemic power to institutionalize prejudice in the forms of laws, policies, and ideologies that exclude and oppress others. 
 
Gutfreund Cornett Art seeks art in all media that speaks to and illuminates the ongoing conversation around race, conditions of the working class, disparities in global wealth, power, education, shelter, access to food, water and health services, immigration issues, criminal (in)justice, women’s rights, subjugating ethnic groups and the gender queer in the modern world.
 
We look to employ artwork as weapons in the fight for human rights against violence and the ongoing wars. Human rights can no longer be thought of as separate and belonging to a privileged few, but rather that these rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible for all. We believe the artist’s voice will help to foster these important dialogues worldwide and invite artists to add their voice.

Artists with works in the galleries:
Gary Aagaard, Algie Abrams, Eric Almanza, Jenny E. Balisle, Ronda Brown, Marie Cameron, Jane Caminos, Veronica Cardoso, Gerardo Castro, Jennifer Cawley, James Davis, Justyne Fischer, Sara Friedlander, Linda Friedman Schmidt, Emily Greenberg, Vicki Gunter, Maru Hoeber, Beth Krensky, Dave Kube, Jihae Kwon, Scott Leahing, Dawn Nakashima, Nancy Ohanian, Priscilla Otani, Sibylle Peretti, Xian Mei Qiu, Sinan Revell, Joanne Beaule Ruggles, Timo Saarelma, Nick Hugh Schmidt, Jaime Shafer, Amy Siqveland, Miholyn Soon and Ellie Jones, Elka Stevens, Dan Tague, Rebekah Tarin, Joseph Tipay, Jane Venis, Eike Waltz, Frank Wang, Margi Weir, Elena Wyatt, Brad Wong and Leo Volcy/The Meteorites

In order to accommodate as many viewpoints as possible and expand the conversation beyond the physical limitations of the museum, additional works were selected to be shown in a looped slideshow in the gallery:
​Nic Abramson, Kamal Al Mansour, Marcia Annenberg, Anne Bascove, Nancy Calef, Jane Caminos, LaShawnda Crowe Storm, Alex Curtiss, Myra Eastman, Rachel Beth Egenhoefer, Beth Fein, Patricio Guillamon, Maggy Hiltner, Barbara Horiuchi, Catherine Johnson, Simone Kestelman, Pat Kumicich, Beth Lakamp, Sharon Lange, Monika Malewska, Penny Mateer, Melissa McCutcheon, Beverly Mills, Robbin Milne, Traci Mims, Christopher Owen Nelson, John Nieman, Annamarie Pabst, Sara Petitt, Roxanne Phillips, IlaSahai Prouty, The Ragdoll Project, Remedios Rapoport, Sinan Revell, Trix Rosen, Bridget Rountree, Timo Saarelma, Charles Seaton, Zahava Sherez, Kathryn Shinko, Bonnie J. Smith, Debra Thompson, Doerte Weber, Thomas Whalen, Aaron Wilder
Vision: An Artist's Perspective
​Presented by Gutfreund Cornett Art with UniteWomen.org
July 5 - 29, 2016
Guest Jurors: Suzanne Gray of Seager Gray Gallery and Michelle Nye of SFMOMA's Artists Gallery
Venue: Kaleid Gallery, 88 South Fourth Street, downtown San Jose, California
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Envision, conceive of, imagine . . . In this turbulent time of political changes, women's rights, social, racial, gender and economic inequality, global conflicts, cultural instability, reproductive choice/health care issues, and environmental challenges of overconsumption and resource scarcity - how do we effect positive change through art? How do we listen, speak our minds, include, and act in collaboration or alone across generational differences, races, identities and cultures, to build our future, locally and globally?   

VISION brought self-identified women artists into dialogue,  retracing an account of the past manifesting in the present, to address major social themes, to define and bring forth what is important to themselves, their families, their communities, our nation and the world at large with art that either reflects on past injustices or focuses on a vision for a more positive, empowering future. 

Gutfreund Cornett Art asked self-identified women artists to respond to and take an active role in this conversation, to create an exhibition in all mediums and genres, art that ranges from literal to poetic, abstract to representational, and psychological, to social and political commentary, art that represents the prismatic, collective vision for our future, that inspires communities and provides a framework for true innovation in our time.

Artists with works in the gallery:
Diyar Al Jazzi, Tara Booth, Nellien Brewer, Sara Cole, Spooky Boobs Collective, Katherine Collins, Lynn Dau,  Emily Dvorin, Beth Fein, Lindsay Garcia, Yolanda Guerra, J Howard, Blond Jenny, Jennifer Jones, Joanna L. Kao, Marky Kauffmann, Eileen Kressel, Beth Lakamp, Mido Lee, Rebecca Levine, Kathryn McDonnell, Victoria Helena Mihatovic, Beverly Mills, Sarah Nguyen, Min Kim Park, Amy Pleasant, Michele Poindexter, Remedios Rapoport, Cherie Redlinger, Caren Helene Rudman, Sondra Schwetman, SPOOKY BOOBS COLLECTIVE,  Nastassja Swift, Cynthia Tom, Natalie Waldburger, Ruth Waters, Corinne Whitaker, Janice Whiting, Tina Ybarra

In order to accommodate as many viewpoints as possible and expand the conversation beyond the physical limitations of the museum, additional works were selected to be shown in a looped slideshow in the gallery:
Salma Arastu, Lynn Arnold, Joanne Beaule Ruggles, Andrea Borsuk,  Andrea Broyles, Carolyn Cohen, Linda King Ferguson, Anitra Frazier, Sara Friedlander, Sara Gallo, Caryl Gaubatz, Linda Gleitz, Tricia Grame, Georgie Humphries, Uma Rani Iyli, Shabnam Mottaghi, Olivia Jane,  Kathryn Jill Johnson,  Thuy Linh Kang, Kristin Kempa, Sameh Khalatbari,  J.  L. King, Epiphany Knedler,  Susan Kraft, Biljana Kroll, Krista Machovina, Stela Mandel, Juliet Mevi,  Jennifer Mondfrans, Jelisa Peterson, Sara Petitt, Lorena Pugh, Trix Rosen, Gerri Russell, Pallavi Sharma, Marlene Siff, Sean Sterzer, Elka Stevens, Kim Tepe, Diana Tremaine,  Jennifer Weigel with Laurel Luckey

About our co-presenter UniteWomen.org:
UniteWomen.org seeks to equip and empower women to use their strengths, talents, and skills to further their participation as equal, valued voices in their communities, speaking out about the inequity of women’s experiences as citizens in their communities, their nations, and the world.  Our mission is to change the social and cultural conversation to bring about awareness of the benefits and the necessity of inclusion, providing a collective voice for women in all processes that affect their lives.  Our objective is to cultivate the edification of society on these issues in order to make effective change that will improve the lives of women.  Achieving these goals will allow us effectively to empower women and girls to be equal, active participants in society, as well as in the political realm of our countries.  A country cannot reach its highest potential until the voices of all citizens are acknowledged and manifested in a way that will positively impact the evolution of humanity.

UniteWomen.org is the national non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization that works to end inequality for women that stems from prejudice and discrimination and works to advance the human and civil rights of women and girls. 
UniteWomen.org Action is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy and lobbying organization for the cause.
What's Right, What's Left: Democracy in America
Phoenix Gallery, Chelsea, NYC
Exhibition: January 6-30, 2016
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Juror: Dr. Kathy Battista, Founder and Director of the MA Contemporary Art program at Sotheby's Institute of Art, New York and Senior Research Fellow of the Centre for Global Futures in Art, Design and Media at the Winchester School of Art University of Southampton. ​

GCA asked artists to share their voices in this art-based conversation about democracy:
In the upcoming election year, what does democracy mean in the United States? It's time for artists to get on their soapboxes – whether it is a conceptual soapbox (Warhol) or direct Statement Art (Jenny Holtzer) and tell us what you think about democracy in America. What is happening within our borders with the increasing polarization of our political parties and how do our views of democracy affect those outside our borders when we try to spread the American Dream? Have we made progress or are we going backwards? Whether you lean to the right or lean to the left, tell us what you think about the current state of affairs.How does increasing surveillance affect the tenets of democracy? We have both freedom and a lack of privacy in this digital and Patriot’s Act world as drones and wiretaps are commonplace and virtually unquestioned and unopposed; but do we have a voice in any of this Big Brother culture and with voting restriction laws being passed across the country to silence particular demographics of the American public.How does the media portray democracy -- truth vs. spin? What is actually news versus entertainment in bombastic, biased editorials? Consider democracy in relation to civil, personal and political rights, economic gain, and the debate over freedom of speech, freedom of choice and freedom to choose to live as you wish.What did our forefathers intend in the Constitution with the freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, the pursuit of happiness, etc. To whom do these tenets apply in a racially, religious and politically divided country? 

Artists with works in the gallery:
Nic Abramson, Ransom Ashley, Michael D'Antuono, Cat Del Buono, Justyne Fischer, Lindsay Garcia, Shawna Gibbs, Ruthann Godollei, Ingrid Goldbloom Bloch, Emily Greenberg,Gracie Guerrero-Bustini, Shreepad Joglekar, Sinan Revell, Monika Malewska, Victoria Helena Mihatovic, Kate Negri, Gina Randazzo, Nick Schmidt,  Laura Sussman-Randall, Dan Tague, and Eike Waltz.

​In order to accommodate as many viewpoints as possible and expand the conversation beyond the physical limitations of the museum, additional works were selected to be shown in a looped slideshow in the gallery:
Gary Aagaard, Linda Andrei, Jay Burton, Jane Caminos, Michael Carlebach, Michael D'Antuono, Sarah Dillon, Sally Edelstein, Johnny Everyman, Michael Fischerkeller, Colleen Gahrmann, Christine Giancola, Ruthann Godollei, Ingrid Goldbloom Bloch, Maeve Grogan, Gracie Guerrero-Bustini, Sheila Halligan-Waltz, Lidia Hasenauer, Chris Hopkins, Shreepad Joglekar, Debbie Johnston,Yuri Kadamov,  Marky Kauffmann, Glenn Lieberman, Billi London-Gray, Monika Malewska, Penny Mateer, Carol-Anne McFarlane, Dawn Nakashima, John Nieman, Maxine Olson, Kate Patsch, Sinan Revell, Bridget Rountree, Amy Siqveland, E. F. Stilwell Brechtel, Nette Thomas, Prince Thomas, Robert Thurlow, Margi Weir,  Zachary Williams and Youxin Yang.

This exhibition highlighted the work of the New York City Poet Laureate Program and Vote Smart.

The New York City YOUTH POET LAUREATE (YPL) program is a voting-themed teen competition designed to energize youth voters through spoken word poetry. The program is open to students, ages 16-19. The Youth Poet Laureate for each year and the Youth Poet Ambassadors (finalists in the program) travel the five boroughs, NYC High Schools and parks to speak to their peers about voting and civic engagement. 
Website: www.nyccfb.info/public/VRC/youthPoetLaureate.aspx
On Twitter:  @NYCYPL
On Facebook: NYCYouthPoetLaureate

VOTE SMART: Begun in 1986 by a combination of conservatives and liberals,  "this project is an historic undertaking. Citizens come together, not in selfish interest or to support one candidate over another, but to defend democracy. It is an extraordinary gathering of people committed to one purpose: to strengthen the most essential component of democracy -- access to information -- even as it suffers grave attacks from candidates and political parties, many who are now willing to manipulate information and deceive voters." To do this, they have created the Voter's Self-Defense System, where every candidate and elected official from President to local government can be easily and instantly accessed - their voting records, issue positions, interest group ratings, public statements and campaign finances. 
Website: votesmart.org
Visaural:
Sight, Sound and Action
Exhibition in concert with Honk! Festival of Activist Street Bands
Venue: Nave Gallery Annex, Somerville, Massachusetts
"4th coolest neighborhood in the U.S." per Thrillist

Exhibition Dates: October 8-31, 2015
Artist Opening: Friday, October 9, 2015
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Artists were  invited to submit works around themes of social, cultural, economic, human rights, women’s rights, political and social justice activism that combine visual art with music in order to tell a compelling story and, by doing so, affirm the many bonds between sight and sound. Artists were asked to choose a song to which to pair their art – a song that is directly linked to the theme of the work, a song that inspired the work or that was played as part of the artistic process.  Selected works will be displayed next to  QR codes, which will take viewers to iTunes, YouTube,Vimeo or other link, where the paired music may be heard.

Artists: Elaine Alibrandi, Lorraine Bonner, Tyrone Brown-Osborne, Bunny California, Michele Colburn, Debra Dobkins, Pamela Dodds,, Sally Edelstein, Christine Giancola, Lidia Hasenauer, Heide Hatry, Maggy Hiltner, Cheryl Hirshman, Barry Jones, Karen Joy, Marky Kauffmann, Dante Kirkman, Beth Lakamp, Jacalyn Lopez, Garcia, Elaine Luther, Penny Mateer, Lilianne Milgrom, Marie Noorani, Priscilla Otani, Trix Rosen, Irina Sheynfeld, Mary Shisler, Robin Shores, Marlene Siff, Karl Stephan, Jennifer Weigel, Tina Ybarra

Our Non-Profit Focus for this Exhibition: BOSTON CITY SINGERS
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Dorchestester, Boston City Singers' mission is to provide the highest level of musical training and wide ranging performance opportunities to young people ages 4-18, inspire personal development, celebrate diversity and foster good will. Their vision is to transform the lives of inner city young people one voice at a time, inspiring and developing each heart to live with compassion in a world of differences. 

Website: www.bostoncitysingers.org     Facebook: BostCity Singers  
Honk Festival Website