PrideArts, a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ culture in Chicago for over a decade, proudly announces its first-ever art show and market event in its space. This groundbreaking event, curated by the esteemed local artist Genevieve Primavera (they/them), known artistically as Dysfunctional Goddess, will showcase the vibrant and diverse talents within the queer community and feature live performances along with exhibits of visual arts. The five-day event will be held June 5-9 at the Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago.
The event will feature an eclectic collection of works from queer artists, makers, and musicians. Attendees can look forward to the spellbinding intaglio printmaking of Bryn Gleason, the voyeuristic paintings and drawings by Casey James, the quirky contemporary art of Ricks Floyd, and the empathetically poetic artworks and music by Mothbord. Additional highlights include the enigmatic visual storytelling of Sara Ditchman, pop-contemporary collages by Thomas Eslinger, street style artworks by MAPS, contemporary ceramic pieces by Lee Fletcher, unique creations by Mika and Fresa Nails, and spooky-cool works by Vic Toria. Genevieve Primavera will also display their multimedia paintings, photographs, and an assortment of DIY goodies under their artistic alias, Dysfunctional Goddess.
From time to time each session, local musicians, drag divas and kings will perform for attendees. Drag King Spencer Money will perform and emcee the live performances.
Genevieve Primavera, a fine artist, designer, and musician who has called Chicago home for nearly seven years, expressed their motivation for organizing this event. “There is so much talent and support in this community, and I wanted to capture that in an exclusively queer art show that allows us a space to be truly proud of our voice, expression, and creativity. The event promises not just visual arts but an immersive experience with performances by local drag divas and kings, live music, and more, celebrating the unique and resilient spirit of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Tickets for URBAN QUEER ART SHOW AND MARKET are $17.00 and are on sale at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-pride-kick-off-urban-queer-art-show-market-tickets-895670272897?aff=oddtdtcreator
LISTING INFORMATION
URBAN QUEER ART SHOW AND MARKET
June 5-9, 2024
Wednesday, June 5, Thursday, June 6 and Friday, June 7 6:30 pm – 11 pm;
Saturday, June 8 Noon – 11 pm; Sunday, June 9 Noon – 8:00 pm
Tickets $17.00, on sale at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-pride-kick-off-urban-queer-art-show-market-tickets-895670272897?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
Showcase of the vibrant and diverse talents within the queer community, including exhibitions by 13 LGBTQ+ visual artists, along with nightly performances by musicians and local drag divas and kings.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHTS
Genevieve Primavera
In the labyrinth of perfection society often seeks, Dysfunctional Goddess, also known as Genevieve Primavera, reminds us of the beauty in imperfection. Her artistic philosophy posits that it is our flaws and struggles that carve our unique strengths and wisdom. Inspired by the iconic tale of Sailor Moon, whose tears unveiled her strength, Genevieve similarly embraces her imperfections, channeling them into her art as a source of power.
Genevieve, who studied at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, has since settled in Chicago for the past six years after a serene stint in the Santa Cruz mountains of California. She has woven a diverse tapestry of experiences in graphic design, fashion design, and photography into her career. Her art is an exploration of personal tribulations and their universal resonance, crafted with a palpable intention to delve into the existential ebb and flow.
Genevieve works with a dynamic array of mediums, including plaster impasto, oil, gouache, pastels, fabric, and prose, creating pieces that are not just visual artifacts but conduits for emotional and spiritual exchange. Through her creations, she seeks to ignite the magic inherent within us all, fostering a soulful dialogue that dances through the dysfunctions of life and celebrates the unique powers harbored within each of us.
Dysfunctional Goddess invites viewers into a world where vulnerability intersects with artistry, encouraging a communal revelry in the beautifully imperfect journey of life. Her work has been seen in Women’s Wear Daily, California Apparel News, San Francisco Fashion Week, and art and music shows throughout Chicago. @_dysfunctional_goddess_
Thomas Eslinger
Artist Tom Eslinger combines his experience as a giant of international advertising with his pop sensibilities to create pieces that engage, entertain and enthrall his collectors. Following a rockstar career as Global Creative Director for Saatchi & Saatchi as well as Burson Marsteller and five-time Cannes Lions Jurist (twice as Jury President), Tom creates one-of-a-kind artworks combining his lifetime obsessions with music, typography and stickers. Tom’s design work can be found in the Permanent Design Collection of New York’s MOMA as well as the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt Collection. Tom studied at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD) and counts Charles Spencer Anderson and Scott Makela as his mentors and great influences. Tom maintains residences in Chicago and New York City. He is currently a Consulting Creative Director and a Professor of Communications at Columbia College. @tomeslinger
Ricks Floyd
A native of South Carolina, C. Ricks Floyd (he/they) studied art while earning a Bachelor of Music from the University of South Carolina. Their work has been featured in shows in Charleston, SC as well as Chicago. Since the start of this year, Ricks has enjoyed their new position as music teacher for Chicago Public Schools. @RicksFloydArt
Casey James
Casey James (BFA DePaul University ‘24) is a multidisciplinary artist concentrating in painting and drawing. He has showcased in the 2023 and 2024 Juried Student Art Show at DePaul University and was shown in the student arts and literary magazine Crook & Folly. James has been a freelance artist making art in Chicago for over twelve years. His work centers around figurative forms through types of voyeurism. His work focuses on contemporary realism with an attention to intentional mark making and narrative composition. @Casey_james_drawings
MAPS
MAPS is a Chicago-born artist that creates vibrant, line-focused pieces for all settings, from gallery walls to the streets of Chicago. Taking inspiration from various forms of media such as movie posters, album covers, and vintage advertisements, as well as artists like Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, and Hirohiko Araki, MAPS creates art that visually stimulates the eyes of the viewer and speaks with an air of brutal honesty. MAPS seeks to use that brutal truth to express his life experiences as a queer man, sometimes weaving lines of his personal intimate thoughts into the pieces he creates in the hopes to express topics such as heartbreak, fighting against traditionalist societal expectations, and discovering one’s identity. @mapssketchbook
Bryn Gleason
Bryn Gleason is a Queer, Female, Chicago-based, visual artist specializing in intaglio printmaking. After receiving her BFA from the University of Minnesota in 2013, she had her debut solo exhibition at the GreenPoint Gallery in New York and continues to exhibit across the United States. Gleason demonstrates an impressive level of craftsmanship by not only practicing traditional copper etching, drawing and painting, but also incorporating unconventional materials such as raw animal hearts, old, stained mattresses and pools of water in some of her mixed media pieces. She often explores themes such as grief, death, sleep paralysis, domestic violence, divorce, addiction and healing. Her process is often grueling and tedious, resulting in an overall esthetic that is dark, introspective and eerily captivating.
Stevie Fernandez aka Mothbord
Stevie Fernandez, also known by her artistic alias Mothbord, is a multifaceted artist based in Chicago. As a painter and musician, Stevie infuses her work with a vibrant and empathetic style, capturing the human experience in both color and sound. Her commitment to personal growth and well-being is evident as she continually strives to enhance her friendships and maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.
Beyond her paintings and music, Stevie extends her creative expression to the crafting of essential oils and jewelry, blending natural elements with artistic flair. Each creation is a testament to her dedication to providing comfort and beauty through her art.
Mika
Mika brings a vibrant palette to life through her explorations of typography and contemporary style in her paintings. With a deep passion for nature and its myriad forms, she incorporates botanical motifs and organic textures into her work. Mika's art also uniquely captures the essence of individuality, showcasing people dressed in diverse attire that challenges traditional norms.
Her belief that every person deserves artistic representation is evident in the diverse, inclusive figures that populate her canvases. Embracing both the natural world and human uniqueness, Mika's creations are a celebration of life's vibrant spectrum.
Vic Toria
Vic is a Chicago-based artist who ventured into the world of tattooing in the summer of 2023, having been immersed in tattoo environments since the fall of 2022. Driven by a profound passion for various art forms, Vic chose to specialize in tattooing as a disciplined expression of her creativity. She enjoys a diverse range of artistic endeavors including painting, sculpting, papier mache, spray painting, makeup, and sewing.
Inspired by her travels, architectural marvels, and the natural world, Vic's artistic approach to tattooing is deeply influenced by these experiences, enriching her designs with a unique perspective. Her artistic goals are centered around translating her broad artistic skills into the realm of permanent art, striving to elevate tattooing to new heights of expressive and aesthetic significance.
Sara Ditchman
Sara is an Illustrator hailing from the western suburbs and now operates out of a studio in the West Loop. As a queer artist, Sara explores themes of identity, sensuality, and empowerment. Her watercolor portraits find inspiration from the whimsy of 90s aesthetics and the allure of pin-up art with a sense of timeless charm and playfulness. With a love for vibrant colors, Sara uses found frames and fabric materials to enhance the aesthetic her work. As a freelance illustrator, she works on a wide breadth of projects from portraiture, children’s book illustrations, and textile designs.
Lee Fletcher aka Chicago Queer Creations
Leo started as a self-taught embroidery and acrylic artist in Denver, and after moving to Chicago in 2021, transitioned to attending in-person markets. As an extrovert and enthusiast, Leo genuinely enjoys getting to meet fellow artists, vendors, and organizers. Since launching Chicago Queer Creations and diving into embroidery, Leo has since been inspired to switch to ceramics, and has spent many hours creating pieces at Gnarware Workshop in Pilsen. Each piece they make is either hand-built or wheel thrown, glazed, and brought home by Leo themselves.
Anita Johnson
Anita Johnson is an accomplished illustration artist with over sixteen years of professional experience in enhancing events through her artistry. Specializing in face painting and caricatures, Anita brings a unique and engaging touch to every occasion.
Her professional approach ensures not only the quality of her artwork but also an engaging and enjoyable interaction, making every brushstroke part of a larger, joyful experience.
Based in her well-equipped studio, Anita continues to serve a diverse range of events, showcasing her adaptability and talent in each project. She captures distinctive features and expressions, while adding an extra element of fun and creativity.
Fresa Nails by Jojo
Jojo, the founder of Fresa Nails by Jojo, operates a Latina woman-owned small business specializing in meticulously handcrafted items. Her creations, which can take up to seven hours to make, are infused with love and exceptional attention to detail. Starting almost three years ago on Etsy, her business has flourished and is now preparing to participate in its first major market at the Chicago Pride Kick Off.
Fresa Nails by Jojo is recognized for its unique, handcrafted products that embody Jojo's dedication to quality and personal expression. As she steps into the vibrant atmosphere of one of her first markets, her journey from a small online store to a budding local enterprise showcases her commitment to her craft and her community, celebrating both heritage and artisanal craftsmanship.
ABOUT PRIDEARTS
PrideArts tells queer stories on a variety of platforms, including both live and virtual performances. Since its founding in 2010, PrideArts has had several chapters, including operating as an itinerant theater for their first six seasons, and as the developer and primary tenant in the Pride Arts Center from 2016 to the present.
The company produces full seasons of plays and musicals, as well as events including cabaret, and more. The company has earned 39 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six nominations in the 2019 ALTA Awards from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. Programming has reflected the diversity of queer communities by including work made by and illuminating the experiences of women, gay men, transgender people, and BIPOC.
PrideArts is supported by Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency; City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Alphawood Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Arts Work Fund, Driehaus Foundation, The Saints.
PrideArts is a member of Buena Park Neighborhood Association, Uptown United, League of Chicago Theaters, Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce of Illinois.
For more information and to donate, visit www.pridearts.org or call 1.773 857 0222.