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Art exhibit to honor identity
A new art exhibit is on display in the Spirit Room in honor of “Coming Out Week,” which began on Saturday, Oct. 14 and continues through Friday, Oct. 20. The “Identity Art Show” is an exhibit of student art, with works based on identity expression.
The art show is a selection of artists’ expressions of who they are through different mediums of art. The mediums range from oil on canvas to Photoshop creations. Twelve works of art can be seen in the exhibit.
The purpose of the art show is to showcase the idea of identity. “The Identity Art Show is a cool representation of what it is that identifies people,” said Kyle Webster, coordinator of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Services. “‘Coming Out Week’ is about being comfortable with who you are, and not being afraid to express your identity.”
Included with the works of art is an interactive exhibit, where viewers can submit a part of themselves to the piece. Note-cards and markers are available for observers to write down how they identify themselves and paste it on the board.
“One point of this event is to create conversation between people, which is a main goal of ‘Coming Out Week’,” Webster said.
The pieces of art showcased were submitted by UMaine students of all ages and majors. The art show was also open to submissions from faculty and staff. At least one piece from everyone who submitted works of art was displayed. Around the exhibit were encouraging words from GLBT Services. “Identity – for such a simple word, there is such a plethora of explanations,” one paragraph read.
Small, others ‘Singing Out’
As a part of “Coming Out Week” at the University of Maine, students can attend “Singing Out,” a night of musical cabaret. Matthew Small and special guest Craig DeForest will perform classic songs from popular musicals with professor Laura Artesani providing the piano accompaniment.
In celebration of “Coming Out Week,” this event is open to everyone: gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, as well as straight people. “It’s important to remember that us gay folks are regular people who just want the chance to live our lives in our various communities. Most importantly, ‘Coming Out Week’ shows questioning and closeted students that UMaine is a safe place to be themselves,” Matthew Small said.
“Coming Out Week seems like a good opportunity to showcase songs that I have identified with throughout my own process,” he said. “This event is utilizing a different form for the same theme that is apparent throughout ‘Coming Out Week’,” said Kyle Webster, current coordinator of GLBT Services and a graduate student at UMaine.
“The idea was proposed by [Small], who is a very active member of GLBT and was formerly the coordinator of the group,” said graduate student and GLBT liaison Kyle Webster. Songs being performed at the event include hits from musicals like “A Chorus Line,” “Annie,” and “Into The Woods.” Some pop, jazz and country songs will also be performed.
Small has performed onstage in UMaine productions “Bent,” “Songs for Change,” and “Cabaret.” Pianist Laura Artesani also collaborated on last year’s “Songs for Change”, and works with University Singers. Craig DeForest, the special guest in the “Singing Out” production, is also involved in University Singers.
“Singing Out” is a first-time event for “Coming Out Week,” but a variation of the event may appear in the future. This event is sponsored by Wilde Stein Alliance in support of UMaine’s “Coming Out Week.” Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, “Singing Out” will be in the Bear’s Den Pub.
