Rooted and Radical: The Art of Queer and Trans Resilience

The Fabulous Arts Foundation Presents: Rooted & Radical: The Art of Queer & Trans Resilience, an exhibition celebrating strength, heritage, and the transformative power of creative expression.

“Rooted & Radical” explores the deep connections queer and trans individuals have to their communities, cultural legacies, and personal journeys. Artworks should reflect themes of resilience, self-discovery, resistance, healing, and radical self-expression.

Join Us in Showcasing the Power of Queer & Trans Art

This exhibition is more than a showcase—it’s a statement of resilience, a reclamation of space, and a celebration of creative defiance.

If you’re wondering, “WHY IS SAM IN A SHOW FOR QUEER AND TRANS ARTISTS? Is Sam queer or trans?” Well, I’m definitely not trans, have never identified as queer, and all my relationships have been heterosexual (Of Pride events I’ve done, I’ve joked that I’m “putting the plus in LGBT+”). That said, I really fucking dislike the word “man” and traditional masculinity isn’t anything I identify with. (I delight at being called a “FAGGOT”). I’m not especially fond of the word “woman” either though and certainly don’t identify with that at all. Seeing as I’ve used he/him pronouns since I was born, have no problem with that, and I think can pretty safely be described as “presenting male,” I don’t think it makes any sense to call me gender fluid (or anything like that) either. Ultimately, gender doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s just not a useful concept in my life or for my identity. I realize that it is helpful or empowering for some other people; just not for me.

And all of that ties into the central point of the largest painting I’ve got in this exhibition. So go check it out.

(Regarding all of the above, if anyone thinks those beliefs and attitudes do indeed put me in the category of “queer artists,” that’s fine with me. It’s just not a label I would personally claim because it doesn’t resonate with me, and so claiming it would make me feel like an impostor trying to capitalize on someone else’s movement. But I will HAPPILY EXHIBIT with anyone (that’s doing anything positive) that’ll have me).

The Fabulous Arts Foundation Center (will soon but) does not (at this moment) have regular business hours. Please contact or email them before showing up if you’re not comfortable just showing up and taking your chances on whether or not they’ll be open.