Drag-Art to be featured at upcoming Vallejo Art Walk
Downtown Vallejo is once again gearing up for a night of community, art and celebration.
This month's Art Walk will feature a Juneteenth "Freedom Day" event with an exhibit, poetry, and music at the Temple Arts Loft Gallery. Concurrently, on the 600 Block on Marin Street, the Solano AIDS Coalition will present "Drag Art."
For Carmen Slack, executive director of the Solano County Arts Council, and Vallejo artist TJ Walkup, each Art Walk is a culmination of art from all mediums, from music, dance, and pottery to cartoons, painting, poetry, and more.
"All those things are addressed at Art Walk every time we have one. This one's just a little special because Pride month and Juneteenth are in the same month," Walkup said.
Walkup added that people as far as Santa Rosa, Napa, Oakland, and around the Bay Area will travel to attend the Art Walk.
"We don't charge the artists ever to show their work or share their art with us," said Slack.
Walkup said, "It's a love connection between each other and the city of Vallejo that is accessible and free. Free for the artists and free for the families to come down and enjoy it."
When Mario Saucedo, executive director and CEO of the Solano AIDS Coalition, was approached by Slack and Walkup about bringing entertainment for the event, he began thinking about how to develop something that aligned with the spirit of Art Walk.
Saucedo decided to put together "Drag-Art."
"Drag is a form of art. It's a visual and performance art," Saucedo said.
"Drag-Art" will feature Morgan "Cicada" Robinson, a youth educator with the Solano AIDS Coalition and local artist, along with performances by Vallejo drag icon and Solano AIDS Coalition Vice President Calvin Ellington, known as "AK", and local drag performer Amanda Love.
By bringing Robinson onto the project, Saucedo wanted to ensure the event included and engaged local youth.
"I always involve the youth because the youth is the future, and I love to empower them," said Saucedo.
Along with recruiting local drag queen performers and Robinson, Saucedo cleaned and looked around his studio to see if additional inspiration for the event would strike.
He eventually did, in the form of an old gown.
"I found an old pride gown that I created a long, long time ago. It was falling apart. It was not that nice," Saucedo said.
Saucedo knew he had to refurbish it.
"It's coming along really well. To me, in the art of transformation, I love recycling. I am a special effects artist, and I am a seamstress, so I know how to sew and build a gown from scratch," said Saucedo.
When the dress is complete, Saucedo plans to find a model for the dress. If he is unable to find one, it will display at the Solano County Arts Council building on 420 Virginia St.
Saucedo formed the Solano AIDS Coalition in 2008 to help educate the Vallejo community in HIV and AIDS education and prevention.
Saucedo said with these new "uncertain and scary" times, it is important to keep celebrating community and pride.
"I'm proud of who I am. I'm proud of my community. There's still injustice, there's still not acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community," said Saucedo.
He added, "Silence is equal to what's going on. When you make noise, when you speak up about your beliefs, you give power to the LGBTQ+ community and make things easier for us."
An official afterparty presented by the Solano Aids Coalition will be hosted at the Townhouse Cocktail Lounge. Doors open at 10 p.m. with drag performances beginning at 11 p.m.
The Vallejo Art Walk takes place every second Friday of the month from 5 to 9 p.m.
The next Art Walk will be on July 10.
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