The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design is hosting a semester-long event showcasing queer artists under the theme “Gender Euphoria.” These diverse performances, exhibitions, and discussions delve into artmaking and queer joy amidst societal challenges. Led by Stamps professor Holly Hughes, the programming offers a unique exploration of gender identity through art.
Collaborating with the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, the Center for World Performance Studies, and others, this initiative celebrates gender and sexuality via contemporary art. The series centers around a course taught by Hughes, featuring prominent artists and fostering community engagement in Ann Arbor.
“This course and series challenge us to reimagine how we express and celebrate our identities,” Hughes said. “We’re exploring how bodies labeled ‘different’ are not just sites of trauma, but of creativity, desire and celebration.”
Highlights include:
- The Butch Closet: A retrospective exhibition by artist Phranc, hosted by the Institute for the Humanities gallery, showcases her work as a queer artist and Cardboard Cobbler, running until Oct. 22.
- Killjoy Kastle: A performative talk by artists Allyson Mitchell and Deidre Logue, featuring Lola Von Miramar and others, taking place on Nov. 2.
- Nayland Blake’s Gender “Discard”: A participatory artist talk by Nayland Blake exploring gender identity on Nov. 21.
The “Gender Euphoria” series invites participation from both U-M and the Ann Arbor community, not just course students. Opportunities include:
- Long Table Discussions — Open forums for audience interaction with artists and scholars.
- Book Launch Party — Celebrating publications like “Jill Johnston in Motion” by Clare Croft.
- Public Workshop — “Freaky Fibers and Crochet Spider Webs” led by Leah Crosby.
For the 21 undergraduate students in Hughes’ class, this series provides direct access to globally acclaimed artists. “Our students are getting devoted time with these visiting artists, providing invaluable insights into the world of professional art and activism,” Hughes said.
The series exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration at the university. “Gender Euphoria” leverages partnerships with LSA and the Penny Stamps Speaker Series to create meaningful engagements with art and artmaking. This initiative highlights U-M’s commitment to innovative, socially engaged art.
“I’m very appreciative and none of this would have been possible without the Arts Initiative,” Hughes noted, emphasizing institutional support’s role in bringing cutting-edge art to campus.
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