The Freedman Gallery at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, announced that Alana J. Coates has been named curator of collections and exhibitions. Beginning her new role on September 12, Coates will shape and oversee the gallery’s exhibitions and care for its collection.

“We are excited that Ms. Coates shares our vision to continue enhancing the quality of our contemporary American art programs, exhibitions and collections,” said David M. Tanner, director of Albright’s Center for the Arts. “Ms. Coates’ knowledge and experience will be a great asset to our learning community at Albright, and her skill in engaging and welcoming the community-at-large will help us reach and sustain audiences.”

With more than fifteen years of experience in the cultural sector, Coates has held various curatorial and leadership roles in galleries across the country. For the past five years, she has served as the associate director of Ruiz-Healy Art in San Antonio. Her recent curatorial projects include “Daydreams and Other Monsters” (2017) at the University of Texas at San Antonio; “Young Latino Artists 22: ¡Ahora! & Capricho” (2017) at the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin; and “Images of Power” (2018) at Freight Gallery in San Antonio.