Em Petro

Bio:

Em Petro (they/them) is a museum professional, educator, and artist who currently serves as the Exhibitions & Programming Associate at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design. Within this role, Em oversees processes related to exhibition installation and gallery space with the Corcoran School. Em directly collaborates with students, faculty, and staff on exhibition development and related practices to remain in line with the school’s overall programming.

In addition to their work at the Corcoran, Em is a part-time instructor at George Washington University, where they teach Wheel-Thrown Ceramics, and also teaches ceramics at the Herndon Community Center and TealNest Pottery.

Outside of the Corcoran, Em works as a Museum Educator at Fallingwater, where they intersect with visitors through conversational programs to create connections between architecture in harmony with nature. Their work at Fallingwater has deeply informed their thinking in all aspects of their work, including their artistic practice and educational pursuits.

Em's broader practice includes ceramics, writing, curating, and collaborating. Their work explores how people interact with and interpret ceramic form, and creates sculptural work that dives into themes of home, belonging, loss, and grief. Their research practice relates to the historic and cultural preservation of historic sites and house museums.

Em holds a BA in Entertainment & Visual Arts Management from Waynesburg University and an MA in Museum Studies from the George Washington University.