Trained as a fashion designer, Shannon Maldonado shifted her practice to focus on interiors and objects with the opening of the retail store Yowie in 2016. Embracing a minimal and cozy aesthetic, Yowie gathered a cornucopia of objects produced and sourced from around the world. Merging studio practice with retail, Yowie launched Philadelphia’s Yowie Hotel in 2024. A unique space that combines hotel, retail, and studio, the Yowie Hotel continually reconsiders traditional definitions of designer, shop, and host.
Copresented by the Walker Art Center and AIGA Minnesota.
Bio
As a creative director and designer with nearly two decades of experience, Shannon Maldonado creates memorable products, campaigns, and immersive spaces, while elevating the work of emerging artists. Her work spans a number of creative fields, including interior design, brand development, retail curation, and cultural programming, with a focus on building platforms that tell remarkable stories. In 2016 she founded Yowie, a curated design shop in Philadelphia that evolved into a multifaceted brand and cultural hub encompassing a boutique hotel and adjoining café. Through thoughtful creative direction and strategic partnerships with brands such as New Balance, Nordstrom, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Maldonado specializes in shaping authentic narratives and experiences that inspire connection and creativity.
Accessibility
This program will have ASL interpretation.
For more information about accessibility, visit our Access page.
For questions on accessibility, or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
Before Your Visit
Paid underground parking is available on-site. Enter the ramp on Vineland Place at Bryant Avenue. Biking or taking Metro Transit? Learn more.
Visiting the galleries? Enhance your experience by joining a public tour or with self-guided resources accessible for free on Bloomberg Connects.
Personal photography is permitted throughout the Walker and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, but please turn off the flash when visiting the galleries.
To help us promote future events and programs, this event may be photographed or recorded. By attending, you consent to appear in this documentation and its future use by the museum. Please let staff know upon arrival if you prefer not to be photographed.
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