Book and Exhibition Highlight the Voices of LGBTQ Youth
A powerful collection of art by young people is now on display at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. Every Rainbow Thing I Can Find explores the experience of growing up as an LGBTQ youth and illustrates the diversity of the LGBTQ community in Richmond. The exhibition is made up of original writing and visual artwork created by young people through a 2012-13 program of ART 180, offered in partnership with ROSMY. The work invites viewers to consider more carefully and compassionately what it means to grow up as a sexual or gender minority.
The exhibition can be viewed at the Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR) seven days a week between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. GCCR is located at 1407 Sherwood Ave., Richmond, VA 23220.
A closing reception will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at GCCR. Copies of the companion book will be for sale at the event.
ART 180 and ROSMY collaborated earlier this year on a mural on the ROSMY building on Westwood Avenue.
ABOUT ART 180
ART 180 gives young people in challenging circumstances the chance to express themselves through art, and to share their stories with others. Since 1998, the nonprofit organization has worked with youth in the Richmond area to create art that explains and illustrates their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Partnering with other organizations that serve young people, ART 180 designs projects that allow for self-expression, and creates venues for this expression in the community. The name reflects their vision of turning lives and communities around 180 degrees. ART 180 also operates Atlas, an art center for teens in Jackson Ward.
ABOUT ROSMY
Founded in 1991 in Richmond, Virginia, ROSMY’s mission is to ensure equal opportunities for success for Virginia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth through access to support, education, and advocacy. ROSMY continues to be the only organization in the area that directly addresses the unique needs and the healthy social development of LGBTQ youth ages 11-20. It offers weekly youth support meetings, sensitivity training for professionals, educational resources, youth leadership initiatives, and a safe place where all youth are encouraged to value the diverse individuals who make our community a dynamic, exceptional place.
ABOUT the GAY COMMUNITY CENTER OF RICHMOND
The GCCR serves as the physical and virtual center for the enrichment of the lives of sexual and gender minority people in Central Virginia through individual and organizational achievement and growth. The GCCR develops and helps sustain organizations, programs and services that contribute to a vibrant Central Virginia community that shares the values of diversity, inclusion, individual dignity, equality and civic engagement.
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