Artist.  Advocate.  Leader.

Born in Shakopee, Minnesota, Stillman traveled and studied iin Finland, Texas and California. Patric Stillman’s career began with Wolf Schultz Art Gallery in San Francisco before moving into international business, where he developed a strong foundation in leadership and management. After the onset of the AIDS crisis, Stillman shifted his focus to social services, working with organizations such as Shanti, Homestead Hospice and AIDS Foundation San Diego, where his passion for advocacy emerged. In his 40s, Stillman returned to his creative roots, transitioning into painting and finding his voice as an artist. In 2014, he founded The Studio Door, a gallery that blends his commitment to community with his passion for the arts, becoming a key figure in San Diego’s cultural landscape and a champion for LGBTQIA+ artists​.

Since 2014, The Studio Door has established itself as a dynamic hub for the arts in San Diego. Through innovative programming, the gallery has forged collaborations with key international arts figures while supporting local artists by exhibiting their work alongside national contemporaries. The gallery’s efforts are amplified through media partnerships, including The WORD San Diego, which help promote the arts and expand its reach. Stillman has shaped The Studio Door into a community safe space where artists can engage in professional development, freely express diverse ideas through visual arts, and find opportunities to blend creativity with commerce. The gallery has become a cornerstone for mid-career and emerging artists, providing them with a platform to ignite their creative passions and establish their careers​.

Stillman and The Studio Door have garnered significant media attention, featured in major outlets such as KPBS, the San Diego Union-Tribune, and Discover Magazine. These platforms have highlighted Stillman’s evolving commitment to community building and the promotion of San Diego visual arts. Tourism and Hospitality leader CONNECT San Diego applauded the 10th anniversary of Stillman’s art gallery and studios, recognizing it as a cornerstone for community through art projects such as Mural Alley, events like the monthly First Thursday Walk in Art, and annual national art events like PROUD+, which continue to celebrate diversity and creative expression​. As an Artist, Stillman has been featured in international LGBTQ+ and Tarot Enthusiast press including The Advocate and Aeclectic Tarot.