H Spencer Young
b. Cleveland, Ohio
Lives and works in New York City
Education
BA, Visual Media & Cinema Studies, The American University, Washington, D.C.
Graduate Studies, Directing and Cinematography, FAMU, Prague
Graduate, The Majic Bus Program, University of New Orleans
Selected Exhibitions
Social Photography XI, Carriage Trade, New York, Peter Scott, 2025
Steal My Sunshine, Marlee Katz Snow, 2024
Utopian Megapraxis, Brenda Tuxford Gallery, Eureka, CA, Ian Breidenbach and Adam Farcus, 2024
Art Basel Miami, Untitled Art Fair, Beverly’s, Leah Dixon, 2022
Spirit of Peace II, ROOT Hotels, Istanbul, Pinar Goodstone, 2022
The Patriot, O’Flaherty’s, New York, Jamian Juliano-Villani and Billy Grant, 2022
Rapid Response, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD), Wayne Northcross, 2020
Interlocutor, Two-Person Exhibition, Art Club, New York, Clifford Owens, 2022
Social Photography X, IX, VIII, VII, VI, V, Carriage Trade, New York, Peter Scott, 2017–2025
Small Works, Abattoir Gallery, Cleveland, Lisa Kurzner and Rose Burlingham, 2020, 2021
Downtown Artists Series, New York Public Library, 2015
4-Person Exhibition, Chris Davison Gallery, Hudson Valley, NY, 2016
Galerie Richard, Rema Hort Mann Foundation Benefit, New York, 2018
Now You See, Rox Gallery, New York, 2014
Ascension, Rox Gallery, New York, 2013
Film, Media, and Editorial Projects
Safety Town (working title), Writer/Director, feature documentary currently in production, 2023–
Samuel in Space, Editor and Sound Designer, Rashid Johnson; Ballroom Marfa, Detroit Institute of Arts, Guggenheim Museum
Swing State, Director, Cleveland International Film Festival Premiere
Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis, Story Advisor, Tribeca Film Festival
Honor Spring 2012 Fashion Film, Writer/Director, premiered by W Magazine, 2012
Warning Bell, Music Video, Writer/Director, Joan as Police Woman, 2017, The Atlantic
Head is a Stone, Director of Photography, Mykki Blanco, Director: Nick Hooker
Publications and Interviews
Essay on Marcel Duchamp, Pasadena Magazine, 2023
Media in the Mix Podcast Interview, American University, 2022
The New York Times, “Divine Excess on Avenue C” and “Was This the Art Party of the Summer?”, 2022
Guest Contributor, WFMU Rancho Thatchmo Radio Show, Thatcher Keats, 2018
Teaching, Lectures, and Mentorship
Mentor, MFA Film Program, American University, 2022–Present
Lecturer, “Color Photography and Image-Making,” Fashion Institute of Technology, 2018
Seminar Instructor, Imagemaking, Hawken School, Gates Mills, OH, 2019
Teaching Artist, Visual Art, Painting, Photography, Filmmaking, Manhattan Youth, New York, 2018–2024
Invitations and Recognition
Finalist, Rogovy Miller / Packan Documentary Fund, 2025
Invited Contributor, Gowanus Canal photo essay, The New York Times, 2009
Juror, See.Me International Photography Competition, 2014
Selected Works, RamDass.org, 2014
Guest Artist, Harlan Levey Projects, Brussels, Belgium, 2016
Selected Commercial and Commissioned Work
Juice Press – U.S. Open Campaign, Director/Photographer, 2018
Hudson’s Bay Company, Writer/Director, Global Brand Film, 2016
Family & Survivor Preview, Photographer, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC, 2014
Henry Street Settlement Annual Report, Cover, 2023
Certifications
Mandated Reporter, Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
Foundations in Health and Safety, OCFS
Youth Engagement Matters, University of Minnesota Extension
Using Critical Consciousness to Challenge Inequity, Sanford Inspire, National University Systems
Positive Behavior in Schools I, PBS Teachline
Confronting Sexual Harassment, NYC Commission on Human Rights
Teaching Online: Best Practices for the Live Online Classroom
Selected Projects
Live Visual Designer, Amfibian (Tom Marshall/Phish), Knitting Factory and B.B. King’s, New York, 2004
Founder, First Final Cut Pro–Based Creative Production Studio, 2001