ArtCrawl Harlem in collaboration with Curator and Multimedia Artist Erica Gemenese Morales presents LGBTQ+, Latinx & POC: Portraits group exhibit. Artwork by Tafy LaPlanche, Darian Stewart, and Ruben Natal-San Miguel will be on view at ArtCrawl Harlem Art House, 406b Colonels Row, Governors Island, NYC from June 16 – July 2, 2023.

The exhibit will investigate and celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+, Latinx & POC communities. Works in the exhibit examine and embrace the human connection through portraits. Curator Erica Morales shares, “I’ve always been interested in exploring the stories of BIPOC, Latinx & LGBTQ+ communities.  With this exhibit my goal is to showcase the many forms of chosen family, culturals and individual love that exist within these communities which they have created.” 

In collaboration with ArtCrawl Harlem whose mission is to support and promote Harlem’s creative community and promote emerging New York City artists, an exhibit and a community discussion around the intersections of race, sexuality, love and family will occur during the month of pride in June 2023. The event will be held at Governors Island at ArtCrawl Harlem house. Three to four artists who identify as LGBTQX will be selected to participate in the exhibit and discussion, reflecting the LGBTQX experience through a multigenerational lens.

Opening Reception & Artist Talk: Saturday, June 17, 2023, 1:00 PM- 5:00 PM.

Exhibition curated by Erica Gemenese Morales

Funding has been provided by Rema Man Hort Foundation’s Artist Community Engagement Grant which provides project-based funds to artist projects that foster community engagement, dialogue, and cultural exchange. The grant makes possible a wide range of project formats, including panel discussions, artist talks, public presentations, workshops, web-based activities, lectures, screenings, publications, and other public events or cultural exchanges. We support projects that encourage cultural or traditional sharing locally or across borders as well as projects that broaden audiences in a specific community.

For additional information and a calendar of events, please visit: www.artcrawlharlem.org 

Governors Island is accessible by ferry. Visit www.govisland.org/ferry for schedules, tickets, and more information.

CURATOR 

Erica Morales 

Erica Morales is a mixed media artist. She is a Nuyorican Bronx native who currently lives in Brooklyn.  

Erica Morales earned a BFA in 2003 from the School of Visual Arts with an emphasis in drawing and a MA in 2010 from New York University in higher education administration. She has worked in higher education for over twenty years advocating and supporting traditionally untapped populations.

Morales’ work is influenced by composition, color and portraiture. She creates intimate stories that capture the human experience. Through abstract portraiture, she celebrates her Puerto Rican family, LGBTQ+ and communities of color. 

FEATURED ARTISTS

Tafy LaPlanche is an Afro-Latina portrait artist based in New York City and Savannah, Georgia. Being surrounded by diversity made her curious about other cultures and people’s heritages. Being both Puerto Rican and Haitian, throughout her life people always tried to place Tafy in a box of one or the other. With her portraits, she has chosen to showcase unique individuals who embrace their cultures. Using a range of mediums including charcoal, graphite, oil, and acrylic paint. Tafy places her portraits against graphic vibrant patterns inspired by murals she grew up around in Spanish Harlem and from the energy of the people portrayed in her works. When people see her paintings, she wants them to feel like they too can be their unapologetically beautiful selves. 

Ruben Natal-San Miguel, is a Puerto Rican-born artist who now lives in New York City. Before becoming an artist, Natal-San Miguel worked in finance and was in the World Trade Center when it was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. He survived that terrible day and has since dedicated his life to making art that celebrates the lives of marginalized and oppressed communities, including especially communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

Darian Deshawn Stewart (b. Hardy, Arkansas) is an interdisciplinary queer, Black artist based in New York, New York. Stewart attended Arkansas State University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in both Graphic Design and Fine Arts. He received his Masters of Fine Arts degree at Parsons School of Design/The New School. Stewart loves spending time with his daughter, exploring the outdoors, and fashion.