A La Mode Brings Camp To The Crocker For Artmix

by Eben Burgoon

The Crocker Art Museum’s ArtMix series has bridged art and entertainment on second Thursdays since 2010. As the Public Programs Coordinator at the Crocker, I’ve had a lot of fun curating this fan-favorite program and collaborating with community partners. For Pride Month, I wanted to honor the out-and-proud artist couple Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown, whose works are on view in the Crocker’s current exhibition, Breaking the Rules: Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown.

For this event, I met with A La Mode early on, and we both agreed that a camp theme was perfect for the moment. It’s a fresh twist on the Crocker’s usual Pride-inspired ArtMixes, and it embraces the rule-breaking spirit of Wonner and Brown. To help capture the vibe, we invited local artist Jaime Crews to create a commemorative poster, which we’ve unveiled on our social media and have teased in this issue.

I chatted a little bit with A La Mode about ArtMix, camp, and what she is most excited about with this event.

Eben Burgoon: You’ve been a partner and performer with the Crocker in the past. What about this ArtMix has you excited?

A La Mode: This is my second year curating, performing, and hosting for ArtMix Pride, and I’m ecstatic to be returning. The energy in the crowd last year was truly electric. I met new people I had never seen before, and I knew we had achieved what we set out to do: expose people to drag who had never seen it before. We’re transforming the space for this event with outlandish decorations and one-of-a-kind performances, and I’m so excited to share it with you.

EB: The term “camp” has such an undefinable mystery to it. What is your approach to bringing that “you’ll know it when you see it” quality to this event?

ALM: If you think something is tacky, garish, over the top, or «too much,» it’s probably camp. My go-to reference is anything in the John Waters canon—think Hairspray or Pink Flamingos.

More is more. Wear a gown, a coat, a poncho, 10 bracelets on each arm, four wigs, eight necklaces, six earrings, and giant platform shoes all in one outfit. Put your three-piece work suit in an industrial shredder and wear it as is. Arrive at the event in workout clothes, freshly sweaty from the gym, and adorn yourself with a tiara and royal jewels. Still not sure what to wear? Ask your least stylish friend what they would wear and you’re onto something.

EB: Camp at a museum might lead to comparisons with the Met Gala 2019. Thoughts?

ALM: Truly nothing is original. Concepts, ideas, and themes are always recycled. Being compared to the Met Gala is a compliment. The Anna Wintour-helmed fundraiser was very influential, so any similarities that are drawn would be quite flattering. More importantly, I know that this event will do Camp justice.

EB: In your vision for the variety show, what were you looking for when finding performers?

ALM: True variety. We have moved past the need for any drag show to only include drag queens. Drag is as hard to define as camp is, so why limit the scope when curating a showcase of local drag talent? I curated a show focused on variety, but more importantly on diversity and equity. I wanted the audience to be exposed to drag like they’ve never seen it. I’m very excited that the Alley Apples, Clive Maxx, Mumzie Stems, Diana Hole, Serpentina, Azutanah, and DJ Subeaux will be joining me on stage. This lineup represents a truly diverse group of artists and I’m thrilled to showcase their talent at the Crocker.

EB: Why is having a show like this at an art museum important to you?

ALM: We are so lucky to live in a state that has not wasted time passing legislation to target nightlife performers. Most media outlets have referred to Tennessee Senate Bill 3 as a «drag ban.» This is incorrect. The bill bans public «adult cabaret performance» in front of children in the state of Tennessee. Make no mistake, when reading the fine print, this is an anti-trans bill. Specific wording around clothing and public presentation makes it clear the bill has nothing to do with drag, burlesque, exotic dancing, etc. This is also a distraction technique that does not confront actual issues facing Tennessee’s constituents.

Drag is an art form like any other and should be presented as such. Drag performance incorporates music, comedy, dance, theater, fashion, and makeup artistry. Most drag artists create their own costuming, do their own makeup, book their own events, market themselves...the list goes on. Drag artistry is most often associated with nightlife, but drag artists are storytellers at heart.

I truly believe that drag should be presented in more fine art spaces. The Crocker has been such a fantastic partner in recognizing drag as an art form, elevating it alongside the fine art in its permanent collection. I’m grateful to Stacey ShelnutHendrick for recognizing that and inviting us into the space, and to you for continuing that legacy.

ArtMix: Camp is Thursday, June 8 from 6 – 9 PM. Tickets can be purchased at crockerart.org.