Juror's Statement

As a juror I take on the task of bringing together a group of artists to represent art work that is conceptual, rigorous, aesthetic, and exemplify the use of diverse materials These are all subjective terms, and this is not an easy task The works I chose for this exhibition represent and tackle queerness, in the way that I define it, as a moniker for selfinclusivity For me, “queer” is a space that is open and inclusive It is not necessarily bordered by gender and sexuality, but is, in a wider sense, a state of being non-defined, or in flux, and aims to create solidarity and community This queerness has always represented, for me, an openness that creates a place for many different people to meet, to think together and propose new concepts. Coming out of a darker time, we are still processing the Covid Pandemic and the traumas of social uprising. We are living in a time when many social and political freedoms are being taken away from us. I see this being processed in the works in this exhibition where these young artists are making voice and space to be seen and heard. This queerness holds space for people to think and process differently. It is a gathering, in this exhibition and beyond, to foster community and solidarity within difference

So in the selection process, I was looking both for individual practices that represent this and for combinations of different artists, whose works together might dialogue and expand on each other in interesting and perhaps even “queer” ways

Congratulations Victoria Baron, Acacia Bermudez, Oona Brayshaw, Reegan Christine, Isabel Colon, Katie Dale, Gwendolin Diener, Haley Dunkleberger, Kiana Escuela, Kayla George, Brynn Gigli, Sarah Gontarksi, Maddie Gordon, Brianna Groff, Melody Inostroza, Sonae James, , Emma Pennington, Carmen Popovici, Maria Jose Rojas Tamez, Kasey Rompallo, Natalie Schappell, Jessica Skuraton, Corrine Stumpf, Nicolette Vallaster, and Mackenzie Vanorden