Art A Whirl 2024 / charms

Style is a sort of magic. It helps us express who we are.

Before I understood that I was queer, I was dressing differently than other kids my age. I was thrifting vintage shoes, cutting up t-shirts, and obessed with pins and making my own jewelry.

When I was planning for Art-a-Whirl 2024, I was thinking a lot about the magic inherent in style. The expression at play. I was experimenting with physical art- what do I want to make and create and hold? And it was clothing and jewelry.

I had the idea to host a demonstration that would allow visitors to my studio the opportunity to make a pin to decorate themself with. I applied for an artist’s stipend to be provided by Wet Paint and NEEMA, and was granted 150$ in art supplies. I went to Wet Paint, an art store that I am intimately familiar with, having taken dance lessons right across the street for almost all of my young life. And, I bought so many Posca markers- smooth and opaque acrylic paint markers that I’ve been wanting to use and try.

I then spent days and days making flat ceramic disks that could be mounted to pins or plastic croc charms. My hands cramped up a little, but in the end, I had a variety of organic ovals, ready to be personalized and worn.

I must have watched over 300 people create a charm to take away over the weekend. Children too young to speak legible words, grandparents, preteen friends- I got to see them all embellish some magic for themselves. Many pins spoke about queerness, fatness, Palestine. Others had images of pets, flowers, or friends.

I am thankful to everyone that made some art with me on that day in May. And I feel happy to know there’s a little more magic in the world that I helped to foster.