Patric Stillman

Patric Frank Stillman (born December 13, 1962) is a visual artist and contemporary art gallery owner. [1][2][34]  He is known for his figurative paintings and the gay-themed international bestseller Brotherhood Tarot. [1][3]

Stillman’s work explores ideas that rise out of personal experience as a gay man. His body of work has developed as a string of series (of works). [4]  Artwork has been exhibited throughout Southern California with additional exhibitions at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, SCOPE Art Miami, Visual AIDS NYC and ArtShare LA. [4][5][6][7] His work has also appeared in Boston Pride Guides, RFD Magazine, Chelsea Station Magazine, Advocate Magazine and Galerie Mooiman’s Your Daily Male Calendar 2022. [1][3][4][8][9][10][39] He works out of his art studio located at The Studio Door, a contemporary arts space in San Diego, California with artist studios, workshops, and community events. [1][2]

Art and Exhibitions

     Brotherhood Tarot

In 2004, Stillman created Brotherhood Tarot, one of the few Tarot decks that was created specifically for gay men. [4][11] The Brotherhood Tarot is a masculine themed fantasy deck with digitally enhanced photography. It incorporates gay history, mythology, Radical Faerie imagery, and celebrates the natural resources of California while maintaining a close tie to the Rider-Waite. [11]

Patric Stillman at The Studio Door

Patric Stillman at The Studio Door (2020)

Born December 13, 1962

Shakopee, Minnesota, U.S.

Occupation Painter, Gallerist

Partner Danne Sadler

Notable Work Brotherhood Tarot

Gallery The Studio Door

Website patricstillman.com

     Notable Exhibitions

Dearheart by Patric Stillman has been hung in the window of Hillcrest Business Association (1601 University Avenue) for San Diego Pride 2023.

Stillman's 15-foot, three panel mural on canvas, “Pride and Protest,” was seen in the Boston Pride Guide accompanying an article on the early history of LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations. [8] It was also exhibited in 2018 at the San Diego History Center exhibit called "LGBTQ+ San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs”. [4][12]  The exhibit, curated by Lillian Faderman for Lambda Archives of San Diego, covered the history of LGBTQIA+ people in San Diego. The exhibition was extended through August 2020. See update in Honors and Awards below. [13][14]

In 2017, Stillman’s solo exhibition Person Place or Thing included installation, photography and sculpture that relied upon the visual iconography of film noir and portraits exploring gay male identity. [4][15] The Studio Door followed up this exhibition with an artist portfolio exploring the works of Patric Stillman. [16]

In 2017, Stillman was selected as a professional artist to support the Milk Loves Art outdoor sculpture campaign created by California Milk Processor Board (CMPB) also known by the iconic got milk? campaign. The exhibit was originally underwritten and donated to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times as part of a campaign to create life-sized cow sculptures to embody the rich cultural heritage of California while raising funds and awareness for Camp Ronald McDonald. The sculptures were exhibited throughout downtown The City of Dana Point and the sculpture garden of The City of Newport Beach. [35][36][37][38]


     Notable Works

     Books

The Studio Door

Patric Stillman founded and runs The Studio Door in 2014. [2] It is an independent art gallery in San Diego’s commercial art industry. Working as a small business, leading by example, the gallery had encouraged and assisted thousands of artists to engage in creative commerce. [17] It holds a contemporary art gallery, a studio space for 17 artists, an art center with workshops, a pop-up event space, and an art community. [2]

The gallery is known for its national exhibitions The Crow Show and PROUD+ as well as the local exhibit 50 To Watch (also known as Works of Excellence). [18][19][20][21][22]

In 2024, under Patric Stillman’s leadership The Studio Door was acknowledged with a series of accomplishments including becoming a San Diego Tourism Authority Accelerator Member. [41]


Community Support

Stillman is an arts writer for the LGBTQ San Diego County News since September 2020 - profiling San Diego’s LGBTQIA+ Artists. [23] In 2023, he started a column entitled THE WORD ON ART for The WORD San Diego. [40]

Stillman also founded Creative InnerView with Holly Sutor, Chris Smith, Brian Baxter & Erica Orr.  Creative InnerView created video interviews from March 2018 - November 2019 with San Diego’s curators, educators, painters, and sculptors making an impact on San Diego’s art scene. [24][25]


Honors and awards

In 2023, San Diego History Center added “Pride and Protest” to their permanent collection. Stillman joins RD Riccoboni as the second openly gay artist to be included in their art collection.

In 2022, San Diego LGBT Community Center added “Free Radical” portrait of Harry Hay to their inaugural art collection

In 2015, Professional Artist Magazine named Stillman as Mentor of The Year. [26][27]

July 7, 2018 was proclaimed Patric Stillman Day by Kevin L. Faulconer, the 36th Mayor of the City of San Diego. [28][29]

In 2018, Stillman received an Artie Award from ArtWalk San Diego for his gallery work at The Studio Door and coordinating The Business of Art Scholarship collaboration. [30]

In 2019, Patric Stillman and The Studio Door has been given recognition from California’s Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, California Assemblymember Todd Gloria and City of San Diego Councilmember Chris Ward for community service in the arts.  [28][31][32]

In 2019, Patric Stillman and The Studio Door were awarded an Nicky Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts during the 44th annual community awards ceremony. [33]

Studio Vision.

References

[1] Visual AIDS. “Artist Registry” (https://visualaids.org/artists/patric-stillman). Visual AIDS New York. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[2] Deaderick, Lisa. (2019-03-23). “Local artist committed to sustaining community for fellow artists and art lovers” (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/people/sd-me-one-stillman-20190322-story.html). San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[3] Harrity, Christopher. (2018-09-20). “33 Works From HIV-Positive California Artists” (https://www.advocate.com/art/2018/9/20/33-works-hiv-positive-california-artists). Advocate. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[4] McGowan, Esther. (2018-07-09). “Artist As Storyteller: A Conversation With Patric Stillman” (https://www.chelseastationmagazine.com/2018/07/artist-as-storyteller-a-conversation-with-patric-stillman.html). Chelsea Station Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[5] Exposure Award. (2015-07-13 Page 96). “The Exposure Award, Documentary Collection” (https://cupdf.com/document/the-documentary-collection.html?page=96). SeeMe. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[6] Visual AIDS. (2020-09-01 Image 16). “Ampler Than  Loneliness: Documenting Collective Resilience Through HIV/AIDS and COVID-19” (https://visualaids.org/gallery/documenting-collective-resilience-covid-hiv-2020-web-gallery). Visual AIDS New York. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[7] Visual AIDS. (2018-10-23). ““Positivity incites conversation, creates bonds, and ultimately – community” (https://visualaids.org/blog/positivity-incites-conversation-creates-bonds-and-ultimately-community). Visual AIDS New York. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[8] Gorton, Don. (2018-06-01). “Its About Time” (https://issuu.com/bostonpride/docs/bpg18/110). 2018 Boston Pride Guide. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[9] Appell et al. (2019-06-01). “Community Conversations: Fatherly Pride” (https://issuu.com/bostonpride/docs/bpg2019/152). 2019 Boston Pride Guide. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[10] RFD. (Summer 2018 Issue 174 Page 14). Artwork (https://issuu.com/rfdmag/docs/rfd_174_online/14). RFD Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[11] Cehovet et al. (2005). “Brotherhood Tarot Review” (https://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/brotherhood/). Aeclectic Tarot. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[12] Stories, Local. (2018-05-21). “Art & Life with Patric Stillman” (http://sdvoyager.com/interview/art-life-patric-stillman/). SD Voyager - San Diego. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[13] McCaffrey, Lara. (November 20, 2018). "People of the Year 2018: Lillian Faderman" (https://sdcitybeat.com/special-issues/best-of-san-diego-people/people-of-the-year-2018-lillian-faderman/). San Diego CityBeat. Retrieved September 5, 2019.

[14] @SanDiegoHistory. (2021-07-31 8:00 AM). Twitter Post. (https://twitter.com/SanDiegoHistory/status/1414962909373898752). San Diego History Center. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[15] Fischer, Patricia. (2017-06-30). “Person, Place or Thing: Patric Stillman at Studio Door July, 2017” (https://pickedrawpeeled.blogspot.com/2017/07/person-place-or-thing-patric-stillman.html). SD Visual Arts.net. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[16] The Studio Door. (2017). “Patric Stillman, Portfolio, Volume One” (https://issuu.com/thestudiodoor/docs/digest_hr_online). The Studio Door. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[17] Stories, Local. (2020-05-14). “Meet Patric Stillman: Art Gallery Director & Artist” (https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-patric-stillman-art-gallery-director-artist/). Shoutout Social - San Diego. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[18] Hugle, Alyssa. (2022-03-05). “Shakopee artist's work selected for national ‘Crow Show’ exhibit” (https://www.swnewsmedia.com/shakopee_valley_news/shakopee-artists-work-selected-for-national-crow-show-exhibit/article_bb956a5e-9a8f-11ec-b164-03cd06e998c4.html). SWNewsmedia - Shakopee, MN. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[19] Martens, Joel. (2019-07-01). “The Studio Door’s PROUD+ National Exhibit: Queer Perspectives” (https://www.ragemonthly.com/2019/07/08/the-studio-doors-proud-national-art-exhibit-queer-perspectives/). The Rage Monthly. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[20] Boone, Matt. (2019-07-10). “Artist exhibits first works after coming out as transgender” (https://youtu.be/jYqHX0JSINQ) ABC 10 News. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[21] A&E. (2020-07-02). “The Studio Door presents ‘PROUD+’” (https://lgbtqsd.news/the-studio-door-presents-proud/). LGBTQ San Diego County News. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[22] The Studio Door. (Various Dates). Gallery Exhibition Catalogs (https://issuu.com/thestudiodoor). The Studio Door. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[23] Stillman, Patric. (Various Dates). Artist Profiles (https://lgbtqsd.news/?s=art+artist+profile). LGBTQ San Diego County News. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[24] Orr, Erica. (2019-03-18). Creative InnerView (https://dustydawnart.com/creative-innerview). Dusty Dawn Art. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[25] Pezzetti,Leah  (2020-09-25). “Murals transform Hillcrest alleyway, string lights now going in” (https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/muralists-transform-hillcrest-alleyway-into-art-display) ABC 10 News. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[26] Kleinschmidt, Janice. (2017-07-03). “The Big Picture” (https://www.sandiegohomegarden.com/2017/07/03/the-big-picture/). San Diego Howe/Garden Lifestyles. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[27] nhassanein. (2016-03-23). “Mentor of the Year Announced” (https://professionalartistmag.com/mentor-year-announced-2/). Professional Artist Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[28] The City of San Diego. (2018-07-07). “Proclamation: Patric Stillman Day” (https://www.patricstillman.com/proclamation). Patric Stillman. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[29] Culture News. (2018-06-05). “…More Arts and Culture News” (https://voiceofsandiego.org/2018/06/05/culture-report-wildly-popular-pop-up-art-project-is-back-with-a-new-game-plan/). Voice of San Diego. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[30] Arts. (2018-02-01). “Fifth Annual Artie Awards Celebrates San Diego’s Arts and Culture Influencers” (https://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/fifth-annual-artie-awards-celebrates-san-diegos-arts-and-culture-influencers/). San Diego Entertainer Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[31] McBride, Colin. (2019-03-01). “Studio Door Opens, Once Again” (https://localumbrellanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/HillCrest-TheStudioDoor-March2019-web.pdf). Local Umbrella News, Hillcrest. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[32] Hillcrest Business Association. (2020). “Board of Directors” (https://www.hillcrestbia.org/board). Hillcrest Business Association. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[33] Nicky Awards. (2019). “2019 Nicky Award Winners” (https://www.nickyawards.org). 44th Nicky Awards. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[34] Stillman Lineage. “Children of James Robert Stillman and Gertrude Kate Olwig” (http://www.stillman.org/jame1925.htm). Stillman.org. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[35] Ducey-Brooks, Patty. (2016-01-03). “Got Milk? Unites Over 20 California Artists for Charity Project” (http://presidiosentinel.com/portfolio/got-milk-unites-over-20-california-artists-for-charity-project). Presideo Sentinel. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[36] California Milk Processor Board. (2016-01-29). “Got Milk? Sculptures Expected to Raise Major Contribution for Children with Cancer” (https://hispanicprwire.com/en/se-espera-que-las-esculturas-de-toma-leche-ayuden-a-recaudar-un-donativo-importante-a-beneficio-de-ninos-con-cancer/) Hispanic PR Wire. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[37] Celeste. (2017). “Udderly Fantastic Cow Hunt” (https://jandalsandjetplanes.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/udderly-fantastic-cow-hunt/. Jandels and Jet Planes

[38] Library Services. (2017). “Cows 4 Camp” (https://www.newportbeachca.gov/government/departments/library-services/cultural-arts/cows4camp-exhibit). City of Newport Beach. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[39]Your Daily Male. (2021-10-01). “Your Daily Male Calendar” (https://www.yourdailymale.nl/03_artists.html). Galerie Mooiman. Retrieved March 10, 2022.

[40] Stillman, Patric. (2023-09-02). “Meet Community Arts Writer Patric Stillman” (https://thewordsd.news/meet-community-arts-writer-patric-stillman). The WORD San Diego. Retrieved September 2, 2023.

[41] Connect. (2024-03-20). “Meet The Studio Door a 2024 SDTA Tourism Accelerator Member” (https://connect.sandiego.org/2024/03/20/meet-the-studio-door-sdta-tourism-accelerator-cohort-member/).San Diego Tourism Authority. Retrieved April 5, 2023.

Additional Resources

External links

Catagories: Contemporary Art, 20th-Century Artist, 21st-Century Artist, Tarot, Playing Cards, LGBTQIA+related