SPSCC art exhibition explores connections between drag and other art forms
Hats, costumes and a polka-dotted wig are among the pieces on view at South Puget Sound Community College’s current art show, Olympia Drag.
Drag performance will be a part of the show, which explores the art and culture of drag. The opening reception, happening Friday, Sept. 20, will feature performances by Vendetta Petty Kash D’Ho, Risque & Rye, Baba Yayas and Luna Delyte.
But the exhibition, curated by Olympia artist and sometime drag performer Garrett Leonard, also includes paintings, photographs, collages and sculpture.
“Drag is not only performed on stage,” said Sean Barnes, the college’s gallery manager. “Drag can be performed through photography.” The show includes a series of self-portrait photographs by Llyn de Danaan in which she impersonates famous artists and writers.
Painting and other visual arts also can allow artists to assume or explore other identities. The show includes paintings and photos by Sandra Bocas and collaged self-portraits by Ollie Trechsel, who also created pieces that put a queer spin on religious imagery.
Drag is also far broader than the conventional ideas about it, Leonard said.
“Historically, people thought of drag as a gay male who dresses in women’s clothing,” he said. “It’s so much more than that, and the art behind it is so beautiful and fascinating. That’s what I love about our local drag scene here. It includes all genders and all expressions.”
Barnes has long wanted to do a drag exhibition.
“There’s such a rich celebration of queer culture in Olympia,” he said. “When I became gallery coordinator, I wanted to put together a project, but I am not a part of the queer community.”
At first, he wasn’t sure how to approach that community, but then he met artist and art lover Thresea “Mama Tee” Yost, whose determination to celebrate the work of Olympia’s Black artists spurred Barnes to work with her on Futures Rising, which opened in 2020 at the college’s Leonor R. Fuller Gallery.
“Mama Tee had a tremendous impact on the way I look at art and cultural artifacts,” he said. “I realized I could work with guest curators from communities that aren’t represented often enough or fairly. I could learn from them.”
Leonard’s vision for the show went beyond showcasing a sample of the diversity of local drag artists and other queer artists. He hopes “Olympia Drag” can build a larger community of artists.
“I am an artist, and I have a hard time finding spaces where all of my passions align,” he said. “I hope this show will bring together Thurston County artists who are queer.”
Olympia Drag
What: South Puget Sound Community College’s current exhibition, subtitled “A Candid Glimpse at Fashion, Art and Performance,” explores the connections between drag and other art forms.
When: Through Oct. 18. The gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays.
Opening reception: The reception, featuring drag performances by Vendetta Petty Kash D’Ho, Risque & Rye, Baba Yayas and Luna Delyte, will happen from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20.
Where: The Leonor R. Fuller Gallery at the Minnaert Center for the Arts, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia
More information: https://spscc.edu/art-gallery
