Light and shadow work in tandem to illuminate and define the world around us, and yet, when we look closer we can observe that light contains infinitely more than meets the eye. Much like our personhood, something that is so easily split into categories actually bursts forth with infinite potential. 

This is the impetus for Prismatic, an exhibition celebrating the queer community across the Front Range for Pride month, most often celebrated in June. This exhibition was curated along a simple idea that allowed breadth for personal interpretation: color and space. 

Often confined to queer art showcases, gay rights exhibitions, queer material or sexuality-themed shows, The Dairy intentionally called artists who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community to display the layers of richness within their own personal practices’ with the only qualification being color. Some artists choose to dive deep within their sexuality and unearth injustices present within our current political climate, while other artists choose to meditate on the land, exploring materials and creatures that connect with the human experience. 

Using the layout of the gallery spaces as a formal template, Prismatic is divided into two sections: Black & White or Color Spectrum. The MacMillan Family Lobby, Polly Addison Gallery, and Hand-Rudy Gallery contain works curated with a lack of color. Artists invited to participate in this section of the exhibition focus on identity/sexuality, commercial consumption, and the natural world primarily. 

Moving into the formal McMahon Gallery, white light is split apart, the brilliance of light is fully observed, and the color spectrum becomes evident and individual. Selecting works from a public open call with the seven gallery walls in mind, each wall creates one section of a larger rainbow spectrum and encompasses a broad range of material and content from artists across Colorado and beyond. 

Participating Artists:

Tyler Alpern, Finley Baker, Shaunie Berry, Scottie Burgess, Carey Candrian, San Canessa, Dagny Chika, Sarah Darlene, JUHB, Jesse Egner, Levi Fischer, Kate Geman, Nathan Hall, Hudson Hatfield, Sophie Hill, Grace Hoag, Kora Hope, Padyn Humble, Talia Johns, Alli Lemon, Cherish Marquez, Robert Martin, Dez Merworth, Nems, Zachariah Rampulla, Alexander Richard Wilson, Tracy Stegall, Joel Swanson, Louis Trujillo, Chloe Wilwerding