Jori Louise Cheville (’04 Ceramics)

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‎Jori Louise Cheville is an accomplished curator and arts leader with 20 years of experience in the contemporary arts. She graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2004 with a BFA in Ceramics and earned her MFA from the University of Kansas in 2013. Over the course of her career, Jori has collaborated with several leading galleries in the Crossroads Arts District, including Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, Belger Arts, and Weinberger Fine Art, where she honed her expertise in curating and managing exhibitions.

In her recent role as Area Director of Museum Operations for 21c Museum Hotels, Jori developed and oversaw rotating exhibitions, site-specific installations, and cultural programming for both the Kansas City and Bentonville locations. Her work at 21c highlights her ability to blend contemporary art with hospitality and community engagement, creating environments that invite dialogue between art and public spaces.

She is also responsible for leading the curation and installation of artwork at CPKC Stadium, the first national women’s soccer stadium, where she works to ensure that the art reflects the stadium’s commitment to inclusivity and community.

Jori’s curatorial approach is deeply rooted in her belief in the transformative power of art to inspire, provoke, and challenge audiences. Her exhibitions often explore themes of identity, community, and social justice, and she is dedicated to creating spaces that are both intellectually engaging and visually compelling. This philosophy extends to her work at the Museum of Art + Light in Manhattan, Kansas, where she curates exhibitions that invite viewers to engage with art in dynamic and unexpected ways as the Director of Curatorial Affairs.