During this June’s PRIDE month Art Center Ukiah will display art that explores the intersecting themes of diversity and unity as they relate to PRIDE. Each human being is an individual, unlike anyone else on the planet, yet none of us can thrive without a strong sense of belonging in our communities. Board members ask, “Can we, as LBGTQ+ and allied artists, tell our personal stories that embrace both diversity and unity through our art and writing?”

Artists were challenged, “How do you visualize the many intersections of diversity, unity, community and autonomy in your chosen medium?” Painting, sculpture, textiles, multi-media, poetry and writing are all viable media for expressing whatever images come to mind, so the resulting art will definitely be varied and evocative.

Stories will be an important complement to the visual art on the walls. They will address issues such as coming out, growing up, living in Ukiah, being married, having children, or living life as an out or closeted gay person. Authors were given the option to be anonymous, use just their initials or their full names… it doesn’t matter. What will be presented to the public through posters and QR codes is the reality that gay people exist in all of our lives, whether the rest of our population knows it or not. Their stories have value, because they are us- our family members, our neighbors, our co-workers, our service providers and our friends. These stories will personalize gay people’s existence. The hope is that people can’t fear of hate other people if we get to know them.

Coming back for an encore as the creator of the show’s floral centerpiece is Wil Gonzales, the well-known proprietor of W/E Flowers. Last year he managed to create dozens of rainbow-colored roses to go with the theme of the show, and he was last seen scratching his head about what he could do to top that level of mastery for this year’s show. We know we can count on something gorgeous, surprising and extraordinary on all levels, but Will isn’t letting the secret out of the bag yet.

New to the PRIDE show this year will be a number of incredibly talented young artists who have never before shown their work in Ukiah. Bea Callison is one of those individuals. He has no art training besides a little art in high school but recounts, “I’ve always been into art, but for many years I was lost in an abusive relationship with someone who wouldn’t allow me to make art… it was a frivolous thought. After leaving that relationship, I went through a journey of self-discovery, came out as a trans man and began creating art again. I just picked up some pencils… I have always been drawn to the messy lines I could create with them. Now I use paint pens to create chaotic lines which result in disturbing faces. Faces have always fascinated me because they hold so much emotion and individuality; I am drawn to the imperfections and raw emotions of human beings.” Not only has Bea never shown his work in Ukiah, but this is the first time for any of it to see the light in public anywhere.

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by Laura Fogg