approach to exhibitions

Johanna Goldfeld to us came highly recommended by Mark Podwal, an artist for whom she designed an exhibition. I was so pleased with her work that we have used her for several exhibitions. She’s created graphic identities, designed text panels and labels, and determined complex sizing and arranging of photographs. She is a team player in the best sense: taking direction, providing a creative response, responding to requests for change, and finally getting it all into production. I’ll definitely be calling her for our next show, too.

I had been wanting to work with Johanna on an exhibition for a few years, and when we decided to mount an exhibition about Barbra Streisand it was great timing. Johanna’s approach brought us just the right amount of whimsy, clean lines and a keen eye that was the perfect fit for the subject matter. Her creativity generated many great ideas, including some high tech features like our recording studio! I could not have done this exhibition without her. I look forward to collaborating with Johanna in the future.

My team and I contacted Johanna Goldfeld only 7 months before the opening of our exhibition “Image of a Living Church,” a commemorative exhibition in observance of the 50th anniversary of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, located at Second Ave and 34th St in Manhattan. We were referred to her by the Metropolitan Museum. As a group of volunteers who knew little to nothing about an exhibition of this type, we embarked upon the project with a steep learning curve.

Johanna was so very helpful in coaching our team; we were passionate about our subject matter, but had little experience in curating an exhibition. She was patient, understanding, and extremely organized. She kept us on track and guided us to the best uses of our material. She also grasped the sacred nature of the project. We were privileged to have her artistic sensibility applied to our project. Her skills extend beyond the visual and technical abilities of a designer. She has great verbal and written communication skills; she selected and managed the installer and printer we used for the project which would have been a daunting prospect for us without her help.

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or outcome using Johanna Goldfeld for this exhibition. We had a very successful opening with over 600 people in attendance and the exhibition will remain up for the remainder of the year for church members from other regions to visit. I am very grateful to Johanna and recommend her without reservation.

When she began working with us in 2006, Johanna Goldfeld brought a whole new dimension to graphics at The Forbes Galleries. With her use of color, font choices and imagery, she created consistent but dynamic design packages and figured out new and exciting ways to marry the content of a given exhibit with the graphic scheme so that they speak to each other seamlessly. She brought us into the twenty-first century and the third dimension with her knowledge and use of Vectorworks and InDesign; thus expanding our ability to see the finished look prior to installation. (as opposed to the 100% hand-made paper mockups we were using previously). Johanna’s exceptional design, writing, and managerial skills, in combination with her curatorial background and lovely demeanor make her a pleasure to work with and a true asset to our department.