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  • Reach,
  • Community Building,
  • Students,
  • Depth,
  • Tours and Talks

Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Love, Art, and the LGBTQ+ Experience
at Cameron Art Museum

The Cameron Art Museum connected with the LGBTQIA+ community through an interactive lecture by a local professor that engaged attendees with Feliz Gonzalez-Torres' work, using it as a catalyst to discuss the artist’s impact on LGBTQ+ art and culture.
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Funding Categories

  • Honoraria

  • Contract Labor

partner

  • Cameron Art Museum

location

  • Wilmington, NC 

About

The Cameron Art Museum partnered with Cape Fear Community College professor Benjamin Billingsley to lead an interactive lecture on Felix Gonzalez-Torres’ work and the influence of LGBTQ+ art on mainstream society. Billingsley connected young queer audiences with art exploration, starting and ending his lecture with in-gallery group discussions about “‘Untitled’ (L.A.).” His lecture deeply resonated with students and fostered community by highlighting how Gonzalez-Torres shaped the influence of LGBTQ+ art, offering personal stories, and creating a safe space for queer university students.

Intended Outcome

The Cameron Art Museum intended to engage 140 members of the LGBTQ+ community, specifically within the university sphere — a group relatively unreached by the museum thus far.

Actual Outcome

The museum engaged 182 community members, virtually and in person. Remarks from students in attendance indicated success in creating a safe, comforting, and enjoyable atmosphere, with one student expressing a desire for more programs like it. “I have never been to any sort of event like this,” the student said. “It is definitely something I would seek out in the future.”

Advice Post Project

Consider adding depth and community-building elements to lectures, rather than simply talking about a topic. Interaction with the work at the beginning and end of Billingsley’s lecture allowed for a stronger level of attention and immersion during his presentation.  Also, partnering with a prominent local professor can be an effective way to engage college students.

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Discover More

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  • Diversity,
  • Community Building,
  • Perception,
  • Access,
  • Reach,
  • Students,
  • Depth

Fragile Vessels,Physical Memories

This multipart evening event, inspired by Felix Gonzalez-Torres' “Untitled” (L.A.), included the pilot of an ongoing opportunity for the Wheaton College community to submit physical and digital items to a dedicated queer archive held in the library.

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  • Community Building,
  • Interdisciplinary,
  • Youth and Family,
  • Access,
  • Reach

Andy’s WildBirthday Bash

Andy’s Wild Birthday Bash attracted families with a variety of interactive and educational activities, enhancing community engagement and participation. 

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  • Community Building,
  • Interdisciplinary,
  • Wellness,
  • Youth and Family,
  • Tours and Talks,
  • Perception,
  • Reach,
  • Diversity,
  • Awareness,
  • Depth

Pride Promat The Westmoreland Museum of American Art

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art partnered with community organizations to host a prom-themed dance party featuring local drag queens in live performances, contests, and LGBTQIA+ gallery tours.

Related artworks

  • Felix Gonzalez-Torres"Untitled" (L.A.)
    Felix Gonzalez-Torres  "Untitled" (L.A.)

Discover More

image
  • Diversity,
  • Community Building,
  • Perception,
  • Access,
  • Reach,
  • Students,
  • Depth

Fragile Vessels,Physical Memories

This multipart evening event, inspired by Felix Gonzalez-Torres' “Untitled” (L.A.), included the pilot of an ongoing opportunity for the Wheaton College community to submit physical and digital items to a dedicated queer archive held in the library.

image
  • Community Building,
  • Interdisciplinary,
  • Youth and Family,
  • Access,
  • Reach

Andy’s WildBirthday Bash

Andy’s Wild Birthday Bash attracted families with a variety of interactive and educational activities, enhancing community engagement and participation. 

image
  • Community Building,
  • Interdisciplinary,
  • Wellness,
  • Youth and Family,
  • Tours and Talks,
  • Perception,
  • Reach,
  • Diversity,
  • Awareness,
  • Depth

Pride Promat The Westmoreland Museum of American Art

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art partnered with community organizations to host a prom-themed dance party featuring local drag queens in live performances, contests, and LGBTQIA+ gallery tours.

Learn MoreAbout This Activity

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Contact

  • education@artbridgesfoundation.org

multimedia documentation

  • Video of event