Susy Bielak first came to the Eighth Blackbird studio as a collaborating artist and in winter of 2022, joined the team as the director and creative co-producer of the Blackbird Creative Lab. As an artist and writer, arts leader and educator, her expertise includes cross-disciplinary collaboration, public engagement, and research. As a curator and cultural producer, she brings more than 15 years’ experience with leadership in the arts. This has included curating arts initiatives, artist projects, and public programs, and directing pedagogy and partnerships at organizations including the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Block Museum at Northwestern University, Walker Art Center, and Arts Midwest. As an educator, Susy has held visiting artist positions at the University of California San Diego and University of Illinois, and is currently an assistant professor of art at Lake Forest College. Her work has been exhibited, collected and performed widely, including at the International Print Center, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Museo Tamayo, and San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art. Bielak’s artwork and writing have been published in Art Papers, New American Paintings, and Poetry, among others. Susy has an MFA from the University of California, San Diego, and enjoys biking, foraging, and tearing up a dance floor.