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From Keith Haring's iconic 'Once Upon a Time' mural to the many portraits that double as walls, art has been an integral part of The Center’s history of activism in the city. Queer artists used their work to address issues of AIDS, homophobia, and social justice, helping to raise awareness and promote change. Through art, we’ve been able to express ourselves, share our stories, and fight for our rights, leaving a lasting impact on the city's cultural landscape.
The Center is a treasure trove for art enthusiasts, featuring a permanent collection largely created for the 1989 Center Show, an exhibit hosted in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Visit us to view our permanent art collection. Not in town? Explore our exhibits from anywhere, anytime, via the Google Cultural Institute.
Description
The Keith Haring Bathroom is one of the most iconic murals in the world. Painted just before he died, Once Upon a Time is a celebration of the freedom, safety, and vitality gay men enjoyed before the onslaught of HIV & AIDS.
This exhibition features six artists from the Transcend NYC program, a 12-week workshop supporting transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary artists in creating life-sized self-portraits through body mapping. Beginning with the outline of their own bodies, each artist transforms scale into visibility and resistance. Through color, text, and symbolism, the works reflect lived experiences of joy, grief, resilience, transition, and community. These pieces are more than portraits—they are embodied narratives. Displayed in recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility, the exhibition affirms that visibility is not simply being seen, but being honored and understood. Each work reminds us that taking up space, telling our stories, and being visible are acts of courage.
Artists
A.R. Herbert
They/Them
Title of Work: Before the Catalyst
A.R. Herbert is a mixed media visual artist based in NYC working primarily with copic markers. colored pencils and canvas paper. Self taught at the age of five, they continuously developed their skill through reading various comic books and watching YouTube tutorials of basic anatomy. Herbert’s motif is mostly shaped by a psychological framework, specifically Jungian ideas of the unconscious.
Arkanoii
They/Them
Title of Work: Dissection of my Reflection
Arkanoii is an autistic, first-generation Dominican-American queer trans artist, born and raised in NYC. Their works are proof of their perseverance and that of the communities they are in and surrounded by. Arkanoii’s art explores their composition through the concept of the constant shifting of color, through the use of a life-sized canvas, acrylic gouache and tiny vibrant imperfect blocks.
L Nichols
They/Them
Title of Work: You aren’t much, I said one day to my reflection in a green pond, and grinned
L. Nichols is an artist, MIT-educated engineer, data analyst, and father who has been writing and drawing comics for over 20 years. Their debut graphic memoir, FLOCKS, a memoir about growing up queer/trans in rural evangelical Louisiana, was published by Secret Acres in 2018, was named one of Publisher’s Weekly’s “Big Indie Books of Fall 2018,” and was featured in the NY Times article “When Comics Writers Defy Gender Norms.”
Luca Beau
He/They
Title of Work: Pleiades
Luca Beau is a poet, visual artist, and proud transgender man. His works toy with the lines between the physical and spiritual worlds, and how messy we become where they meet. Originally from North Carolina, he is now based in New York, where he lives with his partner of over a decade, filling out his extensive zine collection.
Griffin Milewski
He/They
Title of Work: Anatomy of the Artist
Griffin Milewski is a transgender, disabled, Brooklyn-based artist who spends their days crafting, reading, and finding new ways to use rosemary in their cooking. Their happy place is next to a burbling stream, surrounded by trees.
TheeAmeirahNeal
She/Her
Title of Work: The Protectors
Ameirah Neal is a Black Trans independent artist based in Brooklyn. The beauty of Black women; assigned female at birth and of trans experience inspires her work. The use of color is very important to her, for as a young child she was often told that because the color of her skin, bright and vibrant colors were not suitable for her to wear in any form.
