What is Queer Art?
June 7, 2022
12:00p (EST)
How do we define what queer art is? Is it queer because the subject is queer or because the artist is queer? Does queer art always have to tell stories of same-sex attraction or gender diversity? Can a landscape of rolling waves be queer art if it’s painted by a queer person? Is it queer art if the subject is queer but the artist is not? And, when we consider a larger project like a film or a play, how many queer folks need to work on it in order for it to be queer art?
This conversation will feature perspectives from artists Ricky Mestre and Anne:Gogh, theater professor and artist Frank Borelli, and theater producer Hope Chávez and will be moderated by trans artist and NHPC Trans Program Curator Finn Lockwood.
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Meet Our Speakers
Frank Borelli
Frank P. Borelli is a professional theater artist, performer, and educator who currently resides in Western Massachusetts. Franks holds an MFA in Theater Performance and Society from Rhode Island College in Providence, RI. Frank chairs the department of theater arts at American International College in Springfield, MA where he has been employed for several years. Frank has worked professionally as an educator, director, actor, designer and manager in Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. He is excited to debut this new performance work and is grateful for this opportunity
Hope Chávez (she/her)
Hope Chávez is a creative producer, facilitator, and non-profit arts consultant. Hope is the Director of Artistic Planning at Long Wharf Theatre serving as the lead producer and chief deputy to Artistic Director Jacob Padrón. Prior to her appointment at Long Wharf, Hope spent almost a decade in New York City working as a creative producer for organizations like The 24 Hour Plays, The Public Theatre, and La Mama and as an arts service worker at A.R.T./New York managing grant programs and piloting programs centering disability accessibility, sexual harassment prevention, and EDI training. In addition to her service at Long Wharf, Hope maintains a practice as a facilitator and consultant for arts organizations specializing in artistic and educational programs, anti-oppression work, budgeting for small to mid-sized organizations, and organizational change management. She has been a guest lecturer at Juilliard Drama and The King’s College. Hope is a proud alum of the 2019 artEquity Facilitator Training Cohort and the 2018 Leadership Through Mentorship Program administered by Women of Color in the Arts (WOCA). Hope also engages in public service as an appointee to both the New Haven Cultural Committee and the New Haven Cultural Equity Plan Co-Creation Team.
Anne:Gogh
Anne:Gogh is a proud Hartford native committed to uplifting the community through creating safe spaces for self-care and expression. She is a visual & performing artist who is determined to fortify the importance of veracity and altruism. Currently, Anne: is engulfed in working as the Artist in Residence for Kamora’s Cultural Corner and facilitator for Toivo.
Ricky Mestre (he/him)
Ricky Mestre is a multimedia artist out of the Fairfiled County area of Connecticut. He has worked primarily out of the Connecticut and Metro New York areas. Throughout the years he has exhibited his work in various galleries and museums. His influences come from his Puerto Rican culture and urban environment.
Many of his pieces also contain LGBTQ themes and issues since he is heavily involved in fighting causes and charities in that community. Ricky received his Bachelor’s degree in Illustration from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Aside from being a curator at the City Lights Gallery in Bridgeport, he also works in programming at Sound View Community Media Inc. where he has also produced his own television show and many other community projects.