Ellen M. Owens
About
Ellen Owens creates meaningful cultural experiences through making, curating, teaching about art. As an arts leader, she facilitates community-building, collaboration, and continuous dialogue among diverse groups.
Download Ellen's Curriculum Vitae here or view her LinkedIn here
Administrative
Ellen M. Owens is the Executive Director of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, a visionary art environment, gallery, and community arts center in the heart of Philadelphia.
She is also a professor of Museum Education at University of the Arts.
Community-Oriented
Pablo Picasso said, "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
Ellen is an active volunteer, current sitting on the Board of Directors for the Museum Council of Philadelphia and the Deleware Valley, the Arts & Business Council of Philadelphia, and the South Street Headhouse District. She frequently mentors Museum Studies graduate students at the University of the Arts on thesis projects, job placement, and all things museum-oriented.
Artsy
Owens is an active visual artist that has participated in numerous art exhibitions throughout the Pennysylvania.
She also curates exhibitions, designs educational activities, and writes professionally for journals and other publications.
Fun
Believe it or not, Ellen enjoys other hobbies outside of art and museums.
On the geekier side, she belongs to a long-term book club and really loves science, particularly biology. She loves biking, camping, hiking, and running, a throwback to her country upbringing. Possessing a (slightly) green thumb, she is active in her West Philadephia community with The Woodlands Community Garden and loves to cook.