D. Kessinger

“I believe in creating spaces where art fosters connection, dialogue, and inclusion.” 

Donna Kessinger is an award‑winning curator, gallery director, and artist whose work bridges contemporary art, social justice, and community engagement. She currently leads ChaShaMa’s Space to Create and Present programs in Matawan, NJ, where she curates exhibitions and supports emerging and established artists. 

Formerly the Executive Director of the Monmouth Museum, Kessinger developed innovative programming for individuals on the autism spectrum, earning the prestigious IMPACT 100 Grant. Her curatorial approach is rooted in inclusion, diversity, and accessibility, shaped by her leadership roles at MoMA PS1 and The Bronx Museum of the Arts. 

As an artist, Kessinger explores feminism and memory through richly textured paintings, experimental video, and oral histories of pioneering women. Her video works have screened at the Jersey City Museum and internationally via ARTFEM.TV.