Dare Arts Is Proud To Host LGBTQ+ Art Exhibit In June

In celebration of the nationally recognized Pride Month, Dare Arts has partnered with Out On The OBX and OBX Pridefest, to present their first ever exhibit highlighting work by queer artists in June.

Outside Straight Lines- A Visual Arts Exhibition Featuring Queer Artists will include a variety of visual media by local and regional artists who self identify within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+) community.

“Here at Dare Arts we are excited to host the Outside Straight Lines exhibition,” said Dare Arts Gallery Manager Tiffany Lindsey. “With the intention of celebrating LGBTQ+ artists within our community and beyond, we strive to be an inclusive space for all to have an artistic platform and a voice. I look forward to working with the artists and having the opportunity to display their work at our gallery in June.” 

Artists wishing to participate in this exhibition can find the prospectus and sign up for a specific time to drop off their work online at DareArts.org/outsidestraightlines. 

There will be an opening reception on Friday, June 2 from 6pm to 8pm at Dare Arts Gallery, where visitors can meet the artists and view their work. The reception is free and open to all and is during First Friday in downtown Manteo. 

June First Friday will also include Outer Banks musician Tripp Harrison playing jazz music on Old Tom Street and The Storyweavers from Virginia playing Americana folk music in The Courtyard at Dare Arts from 6pm to 8pm. 

“We have never played on the Outer Banks before and I am very much looking forward to this performance,” said The Storyweavers lyricist and singer Sheela Fortner. “As a gay woman, I want people to feel represented by our music and I want them to identify with us. Our band consists of seven members, the perfect blend of gay, straight, trans, a bandmate that is deaf, and an ASL interpreter- what we share is our love of music. We are an all inclusive band that enjoys taking people on an experience through our music. All of our music is original and we set up our songs so people can understand what they are about. We want the audience to feel like they are a part of our performance.”

Outside Straight Lines will be open for viewing in the Courtroom Gallery during normal Gallery hours June 3-30.

After First Friday there will be other visual, performing and literary art events throughout the month of June. All of these events are being developed as a part of Dare Arts’ new programming initiative, The Pride Arts Project. More information on those events will be available soon.

Businesses interested in sponsoring Outside Straight Lines- A Visual Arts Exhibition should contact Dare Arts Executive Director Jessica Sands at [email protected]. 

This project is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. 

This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.  

For more information about Dare Arts, please visit DareArts.org or call (252) 473-5558. 

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.