An upcoming show of queer art created in Guelph is being organized by youth who feel they could be better represented in local Pride events.
The Queer Youth Arts Guelph art show, which will be held Feb. 9 at 10C Shared Space, will showcase up to 50 pieces of art created by Guelph youth under the age of 25 who identify as LGBTQ.
The group is led by three Grade 12 students from Centennial Collegiate — Victoria Johnson, Charlotte McAren-Cayer and Carling Serran.
Serran said she has been attending Guelph Pride events for the past two years, but many of them are not open to youth under the age of 19.
“When we were looking at events for Guelph Pride, it was all geared toward adults and there wasn’t many that we felt we could go to because a lot of it was being held in 18-plus places,” said Serran.
Johnson said being exposed to Guelph Pride has been inspiring.
“We just wanted to contribute to it because it’s a cool thing that Guelph Pride happens,” she said.
Johnson said the group was also inspired in part by Artsy Activists, a local youth-led activism group that arranged a mass walkout in opposition to the changes in the Ontario health curriculum in the fall.
“I think making this event is something that allows younger people to get more involved,” said Johnson. “As someone who is young and queer, I think we should give an opportunity to people who are young and still figuring it out, but who want to be involved in some way.”
The event is not an official Guelph Pride event, but the group has applied for it to be included in the Guelph Winter Pride events calendar, said Serran.
“We wanted to do something for people our age and younger,” said Serran.
Currently, the group has about 30 artists who have submitted more than 60 pieces. They range from paintings and photography to documentary films.
One artist has said they will perform music at the event.
“It’s sort of a spread of all the arts. It’s just a way for people to express themselves,” said Johnson. “We have 30 artists right now — I’d really like to have 50.”
The youngest artist to submit so far is 13 years old.
“That’s amazing. I don’t know if I would have done that at 13,” said Johnson.
Earlier this month, Queer Youth Arts Guelph won the 2018 Youth Opportunities Award from the Guelph Arts Council.
Serran said artists of all abilities can submit pieces for the show, but she also encourages everyone to come out to the show.
“Just show up. You don’t even have to submit a piece — just go in and meet people around your age,” said Serran. “You get to experience all of the different kinds of art and experience through other peoples’ perspectives and the messages they are conveying.”
She is currently working on her own submission to the show, even though she doesn’t consider herself to be an artist.
“I am not an artist, but our friend, Charlotte, is a really great artist,” said Serran. “It doesn’t have to be blatantly queer — it doesn’t have to be two men kissing or anything — it can be anything from experiences that you have had.”
Submissions will be accepted up until Jan. 30.
The show will be a come-and-go event, with a raffle at the end of the evening for some of the pieces in the show.
“The money will go to an LGBT charity,” said Serran.
The Queer Youth Arts Guelph art show will be held Feb. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 10C Shared Space on Carden Street. For more information, visit the group's Instagram account.
