Laurence Myers Reese

Laurence Myers Reese (he/they) is an artist, writer and researcher, whose work investigates language, religion, and identity. He received MFA in visual art at UNLV in 2022. Their MFA thesis, In the Image of: Towards a Trans Talmud resulted in an immersive installation of text and language using painting, sound, video, and zines to explore transgender identity through the lens of Jewish scholarship.

Born in Oklahoma, he received his BFA in Studio Art from the University of Oklahoma, Norman in 2012. He has worked in a variety of roles, including independent curator, arts writer, non-profit administrator, factory worker, educator, and art gallery director. In these roles he has managed exhibitions, grants for artists, writing workshops, poetry readings, film festivals, fundraisers, and community outreach. As an independent curator and arts organizer, he has collaborated with co-ops, NGOs, marginalized communities, corporate entities, and municipal authorities in North and South America, the Middle East, and Europe. Reese’s writings are found in Jewish Studies Journal, Art Focus Oklahoma, Settlers + Nomads, Southwest Contemporary, and Yente.

When not in his office, Laurence can be found wandering campus talking to the bees, or hiking with his elderly corgi, Georgie.