LGBTQ Exhibit Opening At Beverly Arts Center In May

CHICAGO, IL - The first LGBTQ art exhibit at the Beverly Arts Center will open to the public in May. abOUT Art, "The Collective Works of LGBTQ Artists and Friends," will have its opening reception on May 20 and will include anywhere from 30-40 works that reflect the LGBTQ world and works by LGBTQ artists in the art center's atrium.

Steve English has wanted to see this exhibit at the BAC since about a decade ago when he moved to this neighborhood with his partner, Ryan Steinbach to open The Blossom Boys flower shop near the 99th Street Metra station and "educate people on a number of topics."

English had been active in bringing an anti-bullying seminar to the neighborhood and was instrumental in having the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus plan two shows a year at the BAC. The LGBTQ art show became a priority since Donald Trump became president, he said.

"There's been higher suicide rates among the LGBTQ, the murder rate is increasing for trans women of color," he said. "It would be great if we could do something locally to stand up to that."

English, who refers to himself as a "social entrepreneur" and one whose activism dates back to being present at Kent State University when four students were murdered by the Ohio National Guard in 1970, got this project off and running a couple of months ago.

At first he wanted to do something through the Beverly Arts Alliance, but when he found that their calendar for the year was already booked it was mentioned that he should try the BAC and Shellee Frazee, who coordinates exhibits there.

"I wasn't expecting them to be on board, but to my surprise Shellee was 100 percent behind it and the board was 100 percent behind it," English said. "They said that not only were they going to have it there, but they are going to put it in the atrium so everyone who comes in will have to see it."

The exhibit will open the same night of the spring concert of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, which English says will draw a packed house.

Initial plans are to have the exhibit on display until Pride Weekend in Chicago, set for June 23-24 this year. But with artists already submitting works, English is hopeful enough come in for there to be an additional gallery that includes them later in the year.

"Since we're just going to be in the atrium for this, we'll probably only see 30 or 40 (works of art)," he said.

But those are sure to be the best of the best. English is setting the sky as the limit, reaching out to include the image that appeared on the cover of the National Geographic transgender issue and a poster featuring Emma Gonzalez.

"We'll have an interesting mix of well-known artists and children's art works," he said. "I love that contrast."

Having spent decades on the North Side of Chicago, English says the South Side still has a ways to go when it comes to full acceptance, although steps like these are important ones. He fully expects some "backlash."

"Some people will love it, some won't."

The early plans have already brought a sense of comfort to some, though.

"I talked to a family from Beverly whose preteen son is afraid to come out," English said. "But he says he wants to submit his drawings for this. This is what we want this to be about."

"We hope this brings about more programs for LGBTQ residents of the South Side and places where they can gather for support."

Artists who may be interested in submitting their work for this exhibit should contact Frazee for the entry form and return it by email to shellee@beverlyartscenter.org before April 30. The artist notification date is set for May 9, with work due at the BAC by May 14.

"We are doing this to bring more understanding to this community and to bring people to Beverly," English said.