Diane Akpovwa
"Designer.
Curator. Creative Technologist."
Her practice explores the intersection of art, technology, and community engagement. A recent graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Human-Centered Design, a minor in Art History, and a Certificate in Museum Studies, she is interested in creating immersive cultural experiences that invite reflection, dialogue, and human connection.
Her work spans exhibition design, arts programming, XR experiences, and participatory installations. As the founder and programmer of the annual Virtual Reality Showcase at the Centre Film Festival, Diane established a partnership with the Palmer Museum of Art and developed a platform for audiences to engage with emerging forms of storytelling through immersive media. She has also curated exhibitions and community-centered experiences that explore memory, identity, belonging, and collective care.
Alongside her work in cultural programming, Diane served as Creative Director of VALLEY Magazine, where she led multidisciplinary creative teams and directed paid campaigns for partners including Warner Bros. Discovery. Across both institutional and grassroots contexts, she is drawn to projects that connect diverse audiences through meaningful cultural experiences.
Grounded in traditional practices of painting and sculpture as well as digital design and emerging technology, Diane approaches her work with a strong belief that exhibitions and public programs can serve as spaces for curiosity, empathy, and collective imagination. She is particularly interested in exhibition design, interpretive planning, arts administration, and cultural programming that expands access to the arts and fosters community engagement.
Exhibitions and Collaborations
Centre Film Festival, 2025
Virtual Reality Showcase — Founded and Designed by Diane Akpovwa
Palmer Museum of Art, 2025
Profiles of Vulnerability and Protection — Featured Artwork: MarketPlace (Virtual Reality)
Spatial.io, 2024
Death as a Requisite for Life — Curated and Developed by Diane Akpovwa
Featured Artwork: Alive (Augmented Reality)
Artist Forum Atlanta, 2023
Expressions of Identity — Featured Artwork: The Contortionist