The William Way LGBT Community Center will celebrate the opening reception for its eighth-annual Juried Art Exhibit from 6-8 p. m. March 15 at the center, 1315 Spruce St.
The exhibit, which will run until April 5, will feature 19 LGBT artists from the tri-state area in the center’s art gallery.
Director of center services Candice Thompson said the exhibit was an open call to all LGBTQ artists.
“It’s a show that’s more accessible to artists just starting out, who may not have a large body of work yet, because we limit the number of submissions from each artist to two works,” she said. “Every year we accept artists into the show who are just beginning to find their voice and we hope that this show gives them good experience, good exposure and good feedback.”
One of the artists featured in the exhibit will be Thom Duffy, 47, who has been painting since he was 8 years old.
Duffy, a South Philadelphia resident, will have two pieces featured in the exhibit. He was previously featured in exhibits at William Way in 2004 and helped launch the first juried show to the center.
Duffy, who currently specializes in portraits, said he is proud to have his work in the exhibit.
“I took a break from exhibiting so it is rewarding to be accepted into the William Way show,” he said.
The artists were selected by guest juror Amy Sadao, the Daniel W. Dietrich II Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art. The three winners of the show will be announced at the reception.
Thompson said she hopes the exhibit demonstrates the flourishing LGBT arts scene in the city.
“I hope that when guests at the center see this exhibition that it affirms for them that LGBTQ people are and always will be at the forefront of arts and culture and that, because of this, our city is a more provocative, vibrant and wonderful place to live,” she said.
Duffy said he was able to get a sneak peak at the exhibit last weekend and said it was an eclectic selection.
“Some of the work is by younger artists who might still be finding their ways and then there’s work by seasoned artists,” he said. “The work in there is worth exhibiting and viewers will have a wide range of pieces to look at.”
Like most of the programs at the center, the exhibit is free to the public — largely made possible by community support, Thompson said.
“By giving financially, the community helps to offset the gallery costs and by giving of their time and talent, the community keeps our costs lower than they would be if we had to hire additional staff to, for instance, design the gallery postcards or install the exhibitions,” Thompson said.
The gallery will be open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.