Advocacy organization Metro Trans Umbrella Group's third annual art exhibit is open this month. The show focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans artists.
The show's curator Capella Marissa Huniwalt said the exhibit can bring unknown artists to a wider audience.
“Just by the simple act of only accepting artwork from LGBT artists and displaying it publicly for a month, it can be really, really, empowering,” she said. “We sold quite a few pieces of artwork from artists who might not have ever even had a chance to show their work publically.”
The exhibit opened this weekend at Westminster Press, an art gallery and consignment shop on Cherokee street. Organizers said more than 400 people attended the event. Proceeds from the show go exclusively to the artists. This is Huniwalt’s first year curating the show, although she was involved in the project last year. The show aims to raise awareness of LGBT artists in general and highlight their lack of representation in the broader art world.
“There are very skilled gay and trans artists here in St. Louis and they deserve to have their work shown. They deserve to have their moment in the spotlight,” she said.
The show was previously held at the Regional Arts Commission and moved to Westminster Press this year. Nicholas Curry and Tucker Pierce run the space with the express intent of “promoting work by artists of marginalized identities, inclusive of women, LGBT folks, people of color and our allies.”
“It’s our belief that the same oppressions that exist everywhere in the world are present in the arts scene. So marginalized people are given less access and less opportunity in the art world just as they are in other industries,” Curry said.
Pierce said opening night illustrated strong support for the show.
“I’m excited by how many different artists came and how much community that brought into the space,” Pierce said.
The show is open throughout May.
