The Big Gay Art Show is Super, Thanks for Asking!
This weekend, Junctionview Studios is hosting the first annual “Big Gay Art Show”, a showcase of visual arts from the Columbus LGBT community. The event also includes a variety of performance art, food vendors, and proceeds that will benefit the Kaleidoscope Youth Center.
We sat down with Devon Palmer, one of the local artists organizing the event at Junctionview, as well as Angie Wellman, Executive Director at Kaleidoscope to find out more about this upcoming event.
Walker Evans: The Big Gay Art Show is one of the new events in this year’s long lineup at Junctionview Studios. Where did the concept come from?
Devon Palmer: The event was originally conceived by Adam Crum, a local gay artist. Other GLBT artists at Junctionview Studios wanted to provide a “different” kind of art event focused on community, expression and self-esteem by providing a positive venue to show work. The partnering with KYCohio and local sponsors was totally in line with the events mission.
WE: Can you tell us a bit about some of the types of artists participating or what sort of themes we can expect to see in the work shown?
DP: We have a full range of talent, from the fantastic Paul Richmond, PoMo Galaxy and several other emerging artists who are just beginning to show work. Work ranges from campy to more serious themes and messages. We’ll also be feature live performing artists, such as Nina West and company.
WE: When you opened up the call for artists, were there any specific things you wanted to do to encourage artists on the fence about submitting their work?
DP: This is a groundbreaking show, similar to the fantastic “Exhibit of Pride” produced by StoneWall. I wanted to see any and all local artists, regardless of their sexual orientation, submit work. It’s a great way to represent your community, the cause, and to take the “big leap” of showing your work for the first time in a formal gallery setting. There’s no commission nor jury fee, and all sale proceeds go directly to the artist.
WE: Angie, can you tell us a bit more about the Kaledoscope Youth Center, who will be benefiting from other proceeds at the event?
Angie Wellman: Our Mission is to work in partnership with young people in Central Ohio to create safe and empowering environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth through advocacy, education and support. We provide direct services to youth, training and education to youth service providers, and important information relating to sexual orientation and gender identity issues to the community at large. From peer-to-peer programs to HIV prevention and education, to after-school programs, and peer counseling services; Kaleidoscope assists LGBTQ youth in the transition to healthy, productive adults and provides them with the necessary tools to become leaders in the greater community.
WE: Devon, is there anything people should know if they’re interested in attending?
DP: The event opens at 5pm on Saturday, October 3rd at Junctionview Studios, which is located at 889 Williams Avenue in Grandview. We’ll have some great live entertainment throughout the evening, food from local vendors including Patty Cake, Slammers Pizza, Spinellis, and Kevin’s Espresso Cart, and some great local performing artists. This is the first show of what will be an annual event. Come experience the start of something great for the GLBT community in Columbus in this “inclusive” event.
More information about the Big Gay Art Show can be found at www.JunctionviewStudios.com.
More information about Kaleidoscope can be found at www.kycohio.org.
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Related Tags: Art • artists • Big Gay Art Show • devon palmer • Events • junctionview studios • Kaleidoscope Youth Center • lgbt • weekend
September 29th, 2009 at 10:17 am
The one thing I have always loved about Devon is that he thinks inclusively. I have heard him say on a few occasions that if we as LGBT expect inclusion in the community we as LGBT should also be inclusive to differing opinions. It’s a great thought and one that i fully agree with.
I have the joy of working for a HUGE company that places high reguard on diversity and inclusion both in the company and community. I have recently been voted the chair of my offices Diversity Action Team and although I am not gay or overly diverse from the gene pool side of things. I still enjoy the ability to be a voice for those less vocal groups that need a voice. Devon along with the great community of of gaybors that exist at Junctionview have tought me much much about the community and culture of the LGBT population. I think his efforts to make this show a sucess will be greatly appreciated by all.
I look forward to submitting art and enjoying the fun to be had this weekend and hope that all will take the time to drop in and see life from a different angle.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Something about the title of this event doesn’t really make it feel all that inclusive, even though that’s the intent. Imagine a “Big Straight” art show promoting inclusion and inviting all to attend. I know this is no new argument -and that junctionview hosts all kinds of events that welcome everyone- but just my opinion i guess. Other than that it sounds like an awesome event and hopefully the turn out is as diverse as they are hoping for.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
it refers to Big Gay AL, it’s a Southpark thing, at least that’s how I read it.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
The title of the event is to celebrate Gay/LGBT culture and it falls close to National Coming Out Day. A day that is celebrated in the LGBT community. The name is more of a sign of the celebration and not a limiting factor of who attends. The same way a gay club is more of a safe haven than a members only club. The BIG Gay Art Show is a way for the LGBT artists and patrons to find a comfortable place and venue to enjoy their differences and similarities.
@beersie- the title also wouldn’t define the difference between this event and every other art show if it had just another name. I think honestly the only way this event would prove not to be inclusive is if you or anyone choose to make it out that way. Every culture has a day and this is their day to shine and share with other cultures and people. The chioice of inclusion becomes up to you the potential attendee as nobody at Junctionview will ever keep a person from attending any event and we thrive on difference, diversity, and inclusion at every event.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
lifeliberty Says: it refers to Big Gay AL, it’s a Southpark thing, at least that’s how I read it.
Obviously, I thought about the same thing as I used his most famous quote as the title of this post, but I thought it was more of just a playful fun name than a reference to the character. Or at least that’s what it says to me - fun accessible art in an LGBT show, rather than a deep serious look at LGBT issues. I think Paul Richmond’s work is a perfect example of that.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
well, (LOL), I’m an idiot! i was thinking the title of the show was the title of this thread! but either way, I don’t in anyway see that as exclusionary of any audience member, well…except maybe for homophobes. and not that I think it is excluding homophobes directly, but I just don’t see any homophobes attending any very ‘out’ event. so, in a way, if any event wants to exclude homophobes they can label it as a gay event. I’m not much for homophobes, so I’d be up for labeling any event as gay.
I wonder if this event was timed, or could be timed for anything like Gay pride or something like a Red/Chrome/(insert color here) Party Weekend.
September 29th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
@LIFELIBERTY- as I stated above it is in line with National Coming Out Day which is October 11th. Originally the event was slated for June and pride month, but it was a harsh deadline and the folks organizing the event didn’t want to take away from the stonewall event and already planned events. I actually think bringing more attention to the National Coming Out Day helps spread awareness of another LGBT recognized day. I never knew about it till this event and my recent activities on the Battelle Diversity Action Team.
Also very agreed that the only people that could feel excluded would be homophobic people. I will admit before I had a better understanding of gay culture that I was a bit homophobic. Luckily Columbus is diverse enough I was able to loose all pre concieved notions and begin to appreciate all people. I think this event is a great way for people to get and introduction to LBGT culture if they don’t have much exposure.
September 29th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I didn’t meant to de-rail this thread so early being overly critical. It sounds like an awesome event and agreed it’s a great way for people to get an introduction into LBGT culture.
After reading the article (and from Coreroc’s initial comment) I gathered this event’s main theme/intent was “inclusion” versus gay pride/ coming out/ cultural day to shine and just felt a more inclusive title might portray this better. Whatever- I’m aware I’ve read too far into this (and that this is not the thread for this particular discussion.)
That said, the event sounds like a lot of fun and would stop by if I was in town this weekend!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
What is GLBT/LGBT culture? Seriously.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:30 am
Columbusite, maybe you should come to the show and find out.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
@Coulmbusite- LGBT or GLBT is the polite or if you will politically correct way to say gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered. The acronym is a way to sum up all the terms in a manner that groups them togeather as I believe they should be. The term has begun spreading in work environments as a way to be fully inclusive on the equal opportunity employment issues all the way down to benefits. The term has also been used more commonly in recent years.
As for the culture part I I agree with prich99588 that coming to the show would be a decent introduction, but not a full example as I don’t think any one event can give a full glimpse into any culture.
I however find myself amazed that someone who devotes so much time to Columbus would not understand this as we have the largest gay population between coasts I belive. If not a close second!
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Hey everyone,
One last minute Bump/Plug for the show. We have an amazing collection of local artists, some glbt, some straight (a pretty even mix actually). Many of these artists have not shown at junctionview before, so, if you freqent shows there, you’ll see a lot of different/new work. Its a suggested $5 donation at the door with ALL of the proceeds going to “Kaliedoscope Youth Coalition” www.kycohio.org. There will be tons of food provided by Slammers (pizza), Spinellis, Urban Spririt and Patty Cake. Show runs from 5pm Saturday to Midnightish.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
A super thanks to Devon for putting this event on. It was a great change of pace for JV and the talent level on some of the artwork was top notch. Better food than most other events and just a great overall atomsphere. The other great thing is that work sold at a decent clip during the show. Congrats to another sucessful event by yet another talented Junctionview Artist.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Photos? :D