CLOSING RECEPTION | We Were Always Here

Join ClearStory Arts and the Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective for the closing reception of the impactful show We Were Always Here.

Curated by Carlynn Rhodes and Destin Padgett, We Were Always Here honors the struggles and triumphs of queer artists residing in the Tennessee Valley Area—past and present—while drawing inspiration from queerness in nature and the radical possibility of a liberated future. Through work that is at once intimate and expansive, this exhibition highlights the complexity of life in an LGBTQIA+ body and joyfully envisions a more inclusive tomorrow.

Intended as a bold celebration of LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences, the show features pieces that push boundaries, defy convention, and weave a rich, diverse tapestry of queer life. In declaring that we have always been here, the exhibition is a vibrant act of both resistance and celebration.