ADAMA Arts Salon 82: Barbara Chirinos in conversation with Karen Comer Lowe
About the Moderator: Karen Comer Lowe is an Atlanta based, curator, educator, and art advisor whose work centers on expanding cultural narratives and championing historically marginalized artists. Named one of 10 people shaping the art world by Art Cube in 2026, she is a professor of Art History and Curatorial Studies at Spelman College, bringing curatorial practice and critical inquiry into the classroom while mentoring the next generation of artists and scholars.
Her curatorial work has included collaborations with artists such as Amy Sherald, Rashid Johnson, Ming Smith, Radcliffe Bailey, and projects with MacArthur Fellows Amanda Williams (We Say What Black This Is) and Carrie Mae Weems. She previously held leadership and curatorial roles at the Spelman Museum of Fine Art, where she co-curated Silver Linings: Celebrating the Spelman Art Collection, a nationally traveling exhibition and recipient of the inaugural BridgeMaker Award.
In 2025, she served as a keynote speaker at Howard University's, Bison at Basel, engaging collectors and cultural leaders in conversations on stewardship and patronage; and she is currently Visiting Art Historian 2026 at NXTHVN. Whether in the gallery or the classroom, she remains committed to building the relationships, between artists, institutions, and audiences, that shape how culture is seen, valued, and remembered.
About the Panelist: Barbara Chirinos is a passionate advocate for the arts and community engagement, with more than 30 years dedicated to programming that amplifies the voices of creatives of color. Barbara is a dynamic leader and advocate for the arts and community engagement. Born and raised in Brooklyn New York, Barbara lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the past 20 years. While in Canada, she founded, produced, curated or managed many community engaging events. She founded and curated Vancouver’s longest running (Black History month film series for the Vancouver International Film Festival/Film. Barbara played a pivotal role in its growth and success for more than 10 years. Her dedication to impactful storytelling is further exemplified by her work as Co-Founder and Producer for Vancouver's first International Day of the Dead Exhibit and Tour, working alongside Mexican artist Ari De La Mora to celebrate cultural heritage and significance of the Day of Dead in Latino culture. Barbara has cultivated partnerships with local Vancouver chefs and culinary institutes highlighting food in films for extraordinary dining experiences for foodies who LOVE films.With extensive experience in cultural management, Barbara has held various leadership positions, including Western Regional Lead, National Promotion and Communications for the Pacific, Prairies, North West Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon for Telefilm Canada, a Crown Corporation for the Canadian Federal Government, Executive Director of the Granville Island Cultural Society and Operations Manager & Gala Producer/Special Events for the Vancouver International Film Festival, Managing Director for the Vancouver Folk Festival, presenting artists such as Mavis Staples, the Carolina Chocolate Drops with Rhiannon Giddens, and salsa, jazz, funk, and rock band Ozomatli.
Barbara shared her expertise in Festival Management as a faculty member at Capilano University, inspiring the next generation of arts and festival professionals. Her passion for fostering community through the arts and her commitment to social justice make her a standout figure in her field.
Sunday, November 8th, 2026
2:00 PM
ADAMA at Pittsburgh Yards
352 University Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA
Admission is free. Registration is encouraged.