BY AJ TRAGER
Logo created by Dan Haerle.
FERNDALE – A new and exciting day of celebration has been planned to showcase the lives and artistic expression of the trans community through an all day art exhibition.
Hosted on March 6 at Affirmations, the Trans Day of Artivism will exclusively feature trans artists, dancers, singers, poets and more. The exhibit, which strives to showcase all kinds of trans stories — not just the recounts of struggle — is a project of the Gender Identity Network (GNA), a Detroit LGBT nonprofit working to create positive social change supporting all forms of gender identity and expression through charitable, educational and service works.
Other trans-centric celebrations such as the Trans Day of Empowerment in May or the Trans Day of Visibility in March feature art installations.
"When I was a part of the last Trans Day of Empowerment, one of the things that I wanted to do was give the trans community more opportunities to express themselves," said Darnell Jones, board vice president of GNA.
As great as the Trans Day of Empowerment was, Jones believes that it didn't have the most conducive boundary and structure that is essential to creating a great gallery or art show. To fix the problem, Jones and the team at GNA decided to create two more trans celebration days: the first to be centered around the artistic expression of trans folks and the second to be released later in the year.
The Day of Artivism will encompass all the usual sentiments that are associated with a transgender day including teaching a lesson or talking about an intense subject matter, Jones said.
"As I've gone ahead and learned and become part of the community, I've seen these amazing examples of talent and expression," he said. "Many of them don't get a chance to get shown like others do, due to lack of a safe space or lack of a place to put it in for public consumption."
So Jones thought, "Why not build a safe space where all these works can be displayed?"
The event will be unrestricted. In addition to the gallery installation that will already be up at Affirmations, artists will display their poetry, essay writing, journal writing and other works in a dedicated room.
Throughout the day the gallery will change. Organizers have also put together what they are calling "interactives." Three times during the day, pre-determined volunteers will be given 45 minutes to create a work of art that will be presented in the gallery space on a topic of their choice using a medium of their choice.
Other interactives will include drum circles, an open-mic night that will start after 6 p.m. and there will be at least one panel discussion which will feature art experts from the area.
For anyone who hasn't attended a gallery exhibition before, Jones has a little bit of advice.
"I would tell them to be presently surprised," he said. "Hold all your reservations at the door and recognize you are going to be a part of making the space great. There is going to be a lot of energy expression — a lot. Let's have fun."
Trans Day of Artivism will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Door monitors will be placed at all Affirmations entrances to ensure the safety of those participating in the event.
GNA is still looking for submissions and volunteers for the exhibition. Interested parties can send a note to Jones at [email protected]. Deadline for submissions is set for Feb. 28.
For more information on the event, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TransDayOfArtivism/?fref=ts.
Affirmations is located at 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale.
