Queer community called to contribute art pieces

BALLARAT’S queer culture will be celebrated through art as part of an exhibition at Bridge Mall’s TBH Studio with organisers looking for contributors.

The venture’s Queer Stories Art Show is on display next month, showcasing local LGBTIQA+ stories through visual or verbal art.

TBH Studio co-founder Toni Louise is the exhibition’s administration officer and installer, and encouraged Ballarat queers to take part.

“The idea is each artwork will tell a story about the artists themselves, a queer story within the community, or another queer community member that inspires them,” she said.

“This is open entry so within reason, every submission is accepted as long as it’s a queer story within the arts medium that can be accepted.”

The initiative is a partnership with the City of Ballarat’s LGBTIQA+ advisory committee as part of Ballarat Heritage Festival, with the latter portion of the exhibition’s run tying into Pride Month.

Potential exhibitors will not be charged an entry fee for taking part in the show.

About half a dozen have signed up already to participate, and Louise said the exhibition will tie in well with Heritage Festival.

“There’s the overall theme of stories and storytelling for this year’s festival and the aim of this is to serve as a platform for the queer community to tell their stories,” she said.

“Every art show I’ve ever run always has the last-minute entries. What we’ve got so far is really good; we’ve got acrylic paintings, collage, photography and Copic marker drawings.”

The entries will be displayed at the gallery’s back communal space which has the capacity for 50 artworks.

Queer Stories Art Show is set to run from Friday 17 May to Saturday 15 June.

The entry form can be found via TBH Studio’s website and social media pages.