June 1, 2007

EXTRA FEATURE Living Colors Express Gay News, Friday, June 01, 2007 For the seventh year in a row, the gay and lesbian artists of ArtsUnited will show off their talent at the “United and Proud” exhibit at the main Broward County Public Library in Fort Lauderdale. This year, however, the exhibit is extra special because it is the 30th anniversary of Pride celebrations in South Florida. Of the 150 members of ArtsUnited, 40 have each submitted three works that best represent their gay pride. Chuck Williams, the president of ArtsUnited, says that the event is the second largest annual event for the group, right after ArtExplosion. He expects up to 400 people to attend the opening reception on June 6 at the library. “It’s a rare opportunity for us,” Williams says. “We don’t usually get to display our work in such a public place.” There will be a variety of art of all media at the exhibit, including sculpture, paintings and photography. Stephen Glassman, the manager of Broward County Cultural Affairs, will judge the artwork. “There will be Best in Show, Best in Class and the audience will vote for People’s Choice,” Williams explains. Many notable local gay and lesbian artists will participate in the event, including photographer Dennis Dean and painter Alfred Phillips. Many of the artists have been with the group from its inception in 1999, but for some, this is their first show. One of the group’s newer artists is Carlos Alves, who specializes in mixed-media art. The Pompano Beach resident has been with the group for two months. He entered three pieces in the exhibit — “Cosmos,” “Street” and “Seasons.” Although the subjects of the paintings aren’t specifically centered on gay pride, Alves says he chose them for their brightness. “They are very colorful,” he says. Another artist who likes to use the colors of the rainbow in her works is Dyan Sohn of Fort Lauderdale. Sohn, who has been a member of the group for six years, is well known for her use of pride colors. “Incorporating them in every day settings,” she says. “It says a little bit about who I am.” Sohn entered three pieces — “Three of the Sea,” “Horse of the Sea” and “Colors of the Deep.” All three are underwater reef scenes. “I really enjoy nature and wild life,” she says. A couple of the watercolors were in the works for a while, but Sohn finished them quickly in order to enter them in the exhibit. Painter Eve McBride, of Hollywood, has been a member of ArtsUnited for a year now, but this exhibit marks the first time she has participated in a local gay pride event. “My former partner dragged me around traveling,” she says. “Now that I am single, I am more of a part of the community.” McBride, who specializes in acrylic on canvas, also does digital photography. McBride says that she mostly does beach scenes of women in bathing suits. “I am a beach bum by nature,” she says. “My idea of ecstasy and orgasm is looking out over the water.” She created two paintings, “Blue Mood with Lily” and “Orange Hat” especially for the exhibit. “Blue Mood with Lily” features a woman and her cat sitting on a retro-style couch. “It’s me and my cat Lily,” McBride says. “I’ve been putting Lily in several of my paintings.” “Orange Hat” is a scene of the artist sitting on the beach. McBride also entered a photograph from her private collection called “Tracie #1.” “Everyone kept telling me what a beautiful piece it is,” she says. At the same time, there will be an exhibit at the Broward County Library called “Days without Sunshine: Anita Bryant’s Anti-Gay Crusade.” The exhibition, organized by Stonewall Library & Archives focuses on singer Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign, which successfully repealed a 1977 Miami-Dade ordinance that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodation. Her crusade started a backlash against America’s gay population. It also garnered media attention for the growing gay rights movement and served as a catalyst for the gay and lesbian community to organize nationally and fight back. Williams says that ArtsUnited will also take part in the exhibit. Several participating artists will write a statement on the subject. “I’ve asked artists to comment on 30 years later and how far we’ve come,” Williams says. ‘United and Proud’ exhibit June 4 through 30 Artist reception Wednesday, June 6 6 to 8:30 p.m. Gallery Six in the main Broward County Library 100 South Andrews Ave. Fort Lauderdale Free and open to the public