In honor of Trans Awareness Week, and Trans Remembrance Day (tomorrow), I unveil this piece with you all today.
I manifested this.
I’ve always wanted to create a piece that would live within the Howard Brown Broadway Youth Center ( Broadway Youth Center ). Learning about their work, meeting their team, referring youth over to them for services. They are an organization that strives to continue developing better practices and services that meet the needs of those they serve. Now, with the opening of their new building at 1023 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL, I’m honored that my design will be part of their new chapter.
This design was created in collaboration with the BYC youth leadership committee and staff.
“The Seeds That BLOOM”
8 x 6 ft / Wood / SprayPaint and Acrylic Paint.
This piece honors our history, imbedded are symbols to the LGBTQ+ movement. It’s two portraits are of Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, holding protest signs “Power to the People.” A message they chanted and stood by within protest. Mother’s to the LGBTQ+ movement. Sylvia holds a sign that reminds us of the fight that is still happening, the fight to protect our Trans and non-binary community as 2021 as the death toll surpassed previous year. According to the Advocate, 46 + Trans and Gender non-confirming Lives taken too soon. Those names, along with names that were requested by BYC staff, were added within the piece. We honor those we lost. May this piece remind the youth who come to BYC for services that they come from a RESILENT, Powerful history. May it inspire a new generation as we heal from much lost.
B L O O M
*Note that minor additions may be added as this piece continues to live, as individuals may want to add more names to it.
Virtual Tour: https://bit.ly/3jsbVpX
Press Release: https://bit.ly/3wlKSlx
BYC works to improve the quality of life experienced by youth (12-24) who are LGBTQ+, underserved, and/or experiencing homelessness through the provision of youth-centered integrated healthcare and social services. BYC sees anyone, regardless of ability to pay.
WANT TO HELP LGBTQ YOUTH?
Donate: www.howardbrown.org/donate
Housewarming: https://bit.ly/3x2NdjH
Naming Opportunities: https://bit.ly/3GYiDxS
The Plan: https://bit.ly/3rv9WUu