The exhibits are at Stormcloud Brewing in Frankfort, Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville and at Farm Club outside downtown Traverse City. That’s why Up North pride will be hosting a meet and greet at each of their locations.
That's a feeling we want to create more of in Northern Michigan.” But, Pride allows you to find your chosen family, and to feel together. Those are some of the first words that appear when you enter the art exhibit at the Farm Club. And now, art exhibits are showing up in rural communities in Northern Michigan to bring people together. “Oftentimes in Northern Michigan, it's very easy to feel alone and feel that you have nobody to lean on or talk to or nobody that's part of your community. Pride month creates visibility and community for people on a spectrum of sexuality. Visibility and finding community is important, says Up North Pride spokesperson, Nick Viox.
#Gay pride art cute series#
Sara Prussing made this goblet with her girlfriend for the exhibit at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts.Ī series of photos highlight pets at prior pride events.Īnother shows how the beach can go from red sand to deep blue water with all the colors in-between.Īnd an anonymous poem highlights an internal struggle of sexuality reconciling with religion. “So I made a vase,” says Snodgrass, “and my girlfriend made a goblet with a hognose snake wrapped around it.” It’s got about 25 pieces from 10 artists. The show is made up of work from local LGBTQ+ artists. “I hope that brings to light that there are LGBTQ people here, even if you don’t necessarily know that just by looking at them.” West Shore Pride President Renee Snodgrass came up with the initial idea.
The Ludington Area Center for the Arts in Mason County is partnering for a second year with West Shore Pride for an art show. Up North Pride isn’t the only organization hosting an art exhibit to mark this year's Pride Month. And so just the fact that there is something here for anyone to see or recognize, that's huge.” “Growing up as a gay kid in this kinda landscape,” Says Salamon, “I mean, there was nothing. He says because he grew up outside of Midland, he is drawn to creating LGBTQ+ visibility in other rural locations. There's nothing cathartic about being repressed.” “Be very bold in who you are and what you represent and who you are in yourself.Don’t hide exactly what you want to be and who you are. Muralist Joey Salamon painted a multi-colored "selfie station" to encourage visitors express their individuality. In the middle of the mural, there is the white outline of a cicada. This is one of three interactive storage container art exhibits that Up North Pride is putting on with this year's theme of “Catharsis”. The louder you are, the more color you can see.Ī local production company set up the projector and effects inside, while Heather Spooner painted the outside with geometric shapes and colors from the Diversity Pride flag. It’s dark inside with a projector that lights up white text on a black background with phrases you are encouraged to say out loud.Ī rainbow of color echoes out from the words in front of you. Pride month creates visibility and community for people on a spectrum of sexuality.Īnd now, art exhibits are showing up in rural communities in Northern Michigan to bring people together.