‘Queer Joy’ Exhibit Opens at CANO

ONEONTA—The Community Arts Network of Oneonta will present “Queer Joy,” a new group exhibit that celebrates queer experiences, confronts the barriers that can make joy elusive and holds both realities at once. The exhibit opens with a reception on Friday, November 13 from 5-7 p.m. at the Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue. The opening reception is free and open to all and light refreshments will be served.

“Queer Joy” was curated from an open call that invited participating artists and writers to consider what it means to find, create, share and sustain joy within queer communities. The exhibition explores the many dimensions of queer life, including love, identity, belonging, chosen family, resilience, celebration and community. It also recognizes that queer joy exists alongside the realities that can make it difficult to access, including discrimination, isolation, exclusion, barriers and other forms of hardship.

Participating artists and writers include Bailey Bee, Sarah Bullard, Spencer Cox, Charlie Foster, Theo Foster, Allison Holmberg, Kylee Hosmer, Dorene Ireland, Maddy Kehoe, Kerri O’Keefe, Sam Pahucki, Tattyana Perkins, Amanda Price, Etta Roebig, Stelar Joaquín Romero, Sabrina Silverio, Amir Sing and Amber Townsend. Their work spans several creative mediums includ-ing painting, textile, digital media and poetry.

The opening reception also serves as the kick-off of “Townsgiving,” a collaborative effort of CANO, local artists and businesses to support Your Safe Haven, an organization that makes warm meals and a food pantry available in Oneonta.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to the “Queer Joy” opening reception where they will be collected and donated to Your Safe Haven.

Queer Joy will remain on view at CANO through Saturday, December 5. For more information about this exhibition and other CANO programs, visit www.canoneonta.org or e-mail admin@canoneonta.org.