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Bent On Art returning to Kootenays virtually
Sorely missed in 2020, Bent On Art: Kootenay Queer & Trans Art Festival returns for 2021 in an online format.
Join us virtually for a series of events designed to promote the work of LGBTQ+ artists in the Kootenays (and across British Columbia) while creating educational opportunities, fostering community connection & promoting resilience through the arts.
The festival was founded by Samonte Cruz in 2018 and is now delivered in partnership with Samonte Cruz Studios and the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council.
This year’s theme focuses on Queer & Trans Resilience – and over the month of March we will be engaging local artists in a daily art challenge, culminating in an online exhibition and Q&A session on March 28.
We will also be offering a Queer and Trans Life Drawing Workshop, as facilitated by Nadia Moss. Our virtual festivities will also include a string of streamed performances on March 27 from some of our favourite B.C.-based performers, finishing with a Meet & Greet Q&A session.
Selected artists are:
- Smokii Sumac (Kimberley)
- Onibana Taiko (Vancouver/ Japan)
- Mother Girth (Penticton)
• The Dancing Legs (Nelson) - t wolfe (Nelson)
• Marloe Blu (Nelson)
We have hand-selected six local queer and trans artists to take on a daily art endeavour related to the festival’s theme, which we’ve dubbed the #BentOnArtChallenge. We are also encouraging any and all members of the public to participate (opening the focus up to any interpretation of resilience) with giveaways from local sponsors as incentives – believing firmly that making space in our lives for creative exploration is a tangible way to cultivate resilience.
Our six chosen artists are:
- Jimmie Dancer (Kimberley)
- Vance Wright (Nelson)
• Nichola Hare (Nelson)
• Seed (Winlaw)
• sylvie Le sylvie (Winlaw)
• Gabor Lovas (Nelson)
Each Saturday in March we will be hosting a Queer & Trans Life Drawing Workshop, as guided by Montreal’s Nadia Moss – who has joined us to facilitate similar workshops in person at past editions of Bent On Art.
Nadia has taught drawing and performance at the college and university level for more than seven years – and we are thrilled to have them instruct virtually in 2021. Selected participants must reside in the Kootenay region, with priority going to QTBIPOC artists.
Bent On Art: Kootenay Queer & Trans Art Festival
