Mission & Vision

Our mission is to raise the visibility of the Triangle arts community, strengthen cross-sector networks, connect artists to resources, increase access to the arts, and cultivate a culture of arts patronage. We do this through short-term, zero-commission, pop-up exhibitions and multidisciplinary arts programming by Triangle-based contemporary artists, curators, and freelance arts administrators.

Pop Box Gallery is a collaboration between Laura Ritchie and Mavis Gragg. Our curatorial focus centers artwork that directly responds to the political, economic, and social issues of our time and and the project prioritizes artists and audiences who belong to historically marginalized groups. Our core values are: lower barriers for and empowerment of artists and arts administrators in the Triangle arts ecosystem, hearing and seeing diverse voices and perspectives through art; social and political awareness, community engagement, innovation in connecting with wider audiences, and collaboration across sectors in the Triangle community.

Founders

Featured

Mavis Gragg

Photo by Dare Kumolu Johnson

Mavis Gragg (she/her) is an art enthusiast based in Durham, NC. An attorney and conservation professional, Mavis’ work focuses on innovative, sustainable protection and growth of intergenerational wealth for land rich-cash poor families. Mavis’ foray into art collecting and service began when she served as a docent for the prestigious Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Her experience learning about art and connecting others to art fueled Mavis’ passion to increase accessibility for artists and the communities in which they live and create.

A member of the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation board and the Nasher Museum Friends’ Board, Mavis previously served on advisory boards for the Contemporary Art Museum-Raleigh, Triangle Artworks + Law Committee, and Duke Performances. Mavis is also co-founded Black Girl Basel and the Meet the Artist talk series with Provident1898.

Laura Ritchie

Photo by Katie Frohbose

Laura Ritchie (she/her) is a curator and arts organizer in Durham, NC. She is a founder of The Carrack, a community-supported art space that hosted zero-commission exhibitions and donation-based performances, workshops, and events from 2011-2019. Laura grew up in Salisbury, NC and studied at UNC-Chapel Hill (BFA), the Institute for Curatorial Practice at Hampshire College, and Duke University (MA). Her work includes curatorial projects at The ArtsCenter, Durham Art Guild, McColl Center, North Carolina Museum of Art, and Ackland Art Museum (Spring 2022). Laura has served on the Board of Directors at Elsewhere in Greensboro and Duke Performance’s Advisory Board and is currently a member of Durham's Public Art Committee and Cultural Advisory Board.