Southern Equality Studios is a project that explores how the arts can be a catalyst and force in achieving lived and legal LGBTQ equality across the South.
Since the launch of CSE in 2011, we’ve worked at the intersections of personal narrative and political organizing, working with LGBTQ people and families to share the stories of their lives, whether through the written word, film, or photography. We’ve seen the power that storytelling has had on changing hearts and minds here in the South and nationwide, and it’s a vital tool as we continue our work to build a South where all are free and affirmed to live as their authentic selves. Art and storytelling have long played a powerful and central role in movements for social justice, and we’re honored to be a part of that long legacy in our region.
Join Us for Virtual Queer Artist Meet-Ups Every Tuesday!
Tuesdays via Zoom• 8:00-9:30pm ET
If you’re a queer artist or creative in the South, join us for weekly discussions and tutorials. Topics range from how social distancing affects your art to how to monetize your creative skills in this virtual landscape. Southern Equality Studios has worked throughout 2019 and 2020 to create a space for queer Southern artists to gather and connect. This space will be facilitated by Al Murray, CSE’s Director of Engagement and Organizational Development, and Liz Williams, CSE’s Southern Equality Studios Manager.
RSVP for the Webinar (Required)
(Please RSVP by 6 pm if you are RSVP’ing the day of the meeting you’d like to attend. RSVP’s after 6 pm on a Tuesday will get a link for the next week’s meeting. Thanks!)
Get Funding: Southern Equality Studios Special Grant Round for BIPOC LGBTQ Artists & Creatives
From October 30–November 9, we are accepting nominations for our Southern Equality Studios special grant round, dedicated to resourcing and celebrating LGBTQ artists and creatives across the LGBTQ South who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or people of color). Grants of up to $500 will support BIPOC LGBTQ Southern artists working on a wide range of creative projects. Artists may self-nominate their own work.
Recordings of Virtual Queer Artist Meet-Up Tutorials
Asheville Queer Artist Meet-Ups
After the Southern Equality Studios panel discussion and the August 2019 Up/Rooted show (see below), we decided we needed to continue our conversations and connections.
Prior to the pandemic in March 2020, Southern Equality Studios hosted regular Queer Artist Meet-Ups in Asheville. Through the meetups, we work to build upon new roots of community and growth. We have an open door to discuss needs and concerns for your passion as an artist and as a friend. Collaborations and engagement are encouraged. Here are some photos from previous meet-ups!
Southern Equality Studios 2019
This summer we’re thrilled to host two artist residencies through Southern Equality Studios. The program will support the work of Liz Williams and Al Murray, two queer artists based in the Asheville, NC region. The Southern Equality Studios work will provide a vehicle for these artists to collaborate outside of their usual spaces, be inspired, and be a part of a community of folks who explore art as a site of resistance, resilience, and community building.
The theme of this summer’s residency for Al and Liz is called Up/Rooted. Here’s how Liz and Al explained the foundations of the project:
“We all have roots – and some of us have grown from them thanks to them, and some of us in spite of them. Up/Rooted lifts up the dreams and aspirations of queer artists, acknowledging that our roots inform us, that we respond creatively to them. For anyone who might say ‘I don’t know any queer people or queer artists, this work is evidence of the fact that we are here. From our roots, we are growing, we are creating, and we’re not stopping. We can grow and rise up from our roots and through the art of creation we can make something bigger than ourselves. To those who would prefer to erase our existence, Up/Rooted says: You cannot, and you will not.”
Meet the 2019 Southern Equality Studios Residents
Liz Williams
Through means of photography, digital mixed media, and graphic design, Liz seeks to collaborate with her community and create uplifting artwork and conversation reflective of the LGBTQ identity and the nuances of it. In doing so, she hopes to create work that is a catalyst for empowerment and positive change. Liz has provided design work for several other projects through CSE and other queer run organizations and businesses including QORDS, Lightning Bolt Ink, Tranzmission, and Equality North Carolina.
Liz Williams will be sharing updates on her feed and story at @MakeMeSomeArt
Al Murray
Al was born and raised in Western Kentucky. They’ve made Asheville home since moving from Connecticut in 2012. Al earned a BA from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky and a MA in Art History from The University of Connecticut, focusing their research on queer activist art. Al has spent the last 15 years working in non-profits in the South. When not in the office, Al operates a metalworking studio, creating steel sculptures and decorative architectural metalwork.
Al will be sharing updates on their feed and story at @SteelToeSunshine.
Queer people in the South live creatively. We don costumes that render us visible and/or invisible. We move through spaces that oscillate unpredictably between safe and violent. We stand up and speak out and sit down and shut up…on repeat…ad nauseum. Southern Equality studios is a project of CSE that explores how the arts can be a catalyst and force in achieving LGBTQ equality – both legal and lived – in the South. We bring artists to the forefront to narrate the community’s experiences as well as their own, by means of visual, spoken, or written storytelling.” – Al Murray and Liz Williams on Southern Equality Studios
