Opening Reception/2nd Friday Art Walk:
* October 14, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Art Talk by curator with exhibitors:
* October 21, 6:30 pm

Closing Reception/2nd Friday Art Walk:
* November 11, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Exhibition Dates:
* September 30 – November 11

Gallery 1337

Featuring: Libby Black, Craig Calderwood, Jamil Hellu, Jaime Knight, Wei Keong Tan, Corrie Wille

Curated by: Marc Mayer

“The only lasting truth is change.” - Octavia Butler

In the wake of anti-LGBT legislation sweeping the nation, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and threats to democracy, how do we deal with the devastation and uncertainty of losing our rights?

While struggling with feelings of futility, the words of organizer, educator, and prison abolitionist Mariame Kaba provide us with a useful mantra, “hope is a discipline.” Kaba recognizes hope as an important survival mechanism and makes the case that hope is not “dumb cheer, empty aphorisms, or baseless optimism,” but crucial, clear-eyed, visionary work.

This exhibition presents the work of LGBTQ artists in the Bay Area who employ practices such as world building, alter-egos, performance, pleasure, humor, disco/music, and speculative fiction to imagine alternate spaces, realities, and possibilities, not only spark hope but also challenge prejudice in order to foster a sense of belonging.

These practices, many of which have long histories in LGBT communities, present models of how the joy of culture can reconnect us to the world and remind us that anything is possible, if we are willing to fight for it.

For artist bios, see exhibit web page

October 21, 6:30 pm:  Art Talk by curator Marc Mayer with exhibitors Libby Black and Jamil Hellu in Gallery 1337

Marc Mayer is an independent curator and educator. He has worked at institutions including the San José Institute of Contemporary Art, Asian Art Museum, Art21, the New Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art. He has spent much of his professional career cultivating new and existing audiences through innovative programming and exhibitions aimed to connect art, ideas, and people. He has organized exhibitions, projects, and programs with artists including Jean Shin, Carrie Mae Weems, Sanaz Mazinani, Ranu Mukherjee, Mark Bradford, Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries, Saya Woolfalk, Lee Mingwei, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Mark Dion, and Ala Ebtekar. In 2018 he was awarded a research fellowship at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in South Korea. Mayer received a BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University.