Welcome!
Aretha Pereira is a South Asian writer, curator, and artist. Her work studies archival relationships, seeking to catalogue memory, history, and connection across bureaucratic structures of inclusion/exclusion. In writing, she prioritizes communication that de-centers eurocentric standards for language, vocabulary, and style. Currently, she is the Assistant Curator at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Vancouver, where she helps plan and execute exhibitions, off-site projects, public programming, residencies and publications. Pereira holds a BFA in Illustration from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and was the recipient of the SAAG Arts Writing Prize in 2023.
Contact:
arethapereira316@gmail.com
CV
EDUCATION
2023
BFA in Illustration, Emily Carr University of Art and Design
2019
IB Diploma + American High School Diploma, Dubai American Academy
EXPERIENCE
2024- present
Assistant Curator, Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver
2023
Editorial Director, Woo Publication, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver
Peer Writing Tutor + International Student Advocate, Writing Centre, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver
2022
Creative Coordinator + Designer, Freelance, Dubai
2021
Student Leader in the Office for Justice, Equity, and Transformation, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston
Global Mentor (International Student Support) in the Office for International Education, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston
Presidential Search Committee Member, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston
2020
Creative Arts Program Assistant, Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living at Dana-Farber, Boston
2019
‘Are We There Yet?’ Speaker Team Head, TedxYouth@DAA, Dubai
Art Education Internship, The Jam Jar, Dubai
AWARDS AND HONOURS
2023
SAAG Arts Writing Prize, Southern Alberta Art Gallery + Galleries West Magazine
Opus Art Supplies Graduation Award BFA, Emily Carr University of Art and Design
John C. Kerr Chancellor Emeritus Awards for Excellence in Visual Arts – Honourable Mention, Emily Carr University of Art and Design
2022
Christopher Foundation Scholarship, Emily Carr University of Art and Design
2021
Emerging Leader Award, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
2019
Merit Scholarship, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
SELECT EXHIBITIONS
2023
‘Aretha Pereira’ Solo Show, Open Mic Grooves, Vancouver
The Show, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver
Self Portraits, Neighbourhood Gallery, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver
2022
Emerging Print Exhibition, Dundarave Print Gallery, Vancouver
2021
All School Show, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston
2020
The Away Show, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston
All School Show, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston
SELECT FEATURES + PUBLICATIONS
2023
SAAG 2023 Arts Writing Prize Reader
Winners of SAAG Arts Writing Prize Announced – Galleries West Magazine
Announcing the 2023 Graduation Awards Winners – Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Paradise – WOO Publication at ECU – Ed. S23
2022
Nostalgia – WOO Publication at ECU – Ed. F22
Desire – WOO Publication at ECU – Ed. S22
2021
Origin- WOO Publication at ECU – Ed. F21
2020
MassArt F20 Opening Day Video , Massachusetts College of Art and Design
2018
The Limitations of Race in Theatre, TedxYouth@DAA
Aretha Pereira 