BIO 

Luis Enrique Martinez was born and raised in a small town in central Mexico, moving to the US with his  family when he was 13. He graduated high school and was originally going to school for sports therapy  before being scouted by The Kim Dawson Talent Agency where he models and acts. After spending  several years in the modeling industry, Luis decided to split his time both in front of and behind the  camera in 2017. Since then, he has undertaken a variety of projects, from working with celebrity stylist  Christian Siriano at New York Fashion Week to shooting in the rolling hills of Virginia for local Dallas  brands. His photography work has been published in editorial magazines across the world such as Vogue,  Elle, Bello Magazine, Volant Magazine, Lucy's Magazine, Period Magazine, and others. Luis' modeling and  acting career encompasses clients such as Adidas, Nike, Levi's, JCPenney, Frito Lay, Chevrolet, GMC,  Calvin Klein, Academy, Bass Pro Shops, McDonalds, Dallas Cowboys, and others. He loves spending time  with his husband and 2 dogs and would someday like to have his photography tell the stories of other  people and places. 

More about Luis: www.luismartinezphotography.com 

Instagram: @luis_martinez93 

Statement on Queer visibility 

Having openly LGBTQ+ artist, whose presence and characteristics extend beyond the scope of  traditional stereotypes, in mainstream media is of crucial importance. Many people of older generations  grew up never seeing anyone with whom they could identify or relate, making their journey to be  themselves even more difficult. The feelings and experiences expressed in queer art, and with queer art  hitting the mainstream, have only served to show LGBTQ+ youth that it is okay to be who you are. 

It is not only about standing on the shoulders of these role models to be honest with yourself  and your loved ones, but also about taking joy from seeing others express themselves in a way that you  may not feel able to at that particular point in time. Positive representation in the arts also helps to end  the stigma attached to the LGBTQ+ community and expose those with prejudices or closed minds to the  “normalcy” of the queer population via the artists they follow – both key elements to creating a society  in which sexuality and gender are not barriers between us.

The concepts of LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusivity, and community have, in many ways, found  renewed urgency over the past two years. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has skyrocketed across the US, with  more than 300 bills introduced in 2022 alone, seemingly intent on erasing the community’s very  existence. 

But with this urgency also comes a renewed sense of determination and spirit. LGBTQ+ people and allies  alike are rising to stop short of a reversal of all the progress that queer and trans activists have spent  decades fighting for — and acting for a more just, more inclusive world. Pride, after all, is still a protest.

BIO 

Darren is a new media artist, currently focusing on 3D art, digital art, and Photography. Darren's work centers primarily around bright colors, patterns, and textures to express emotion. They use a multitude of tools and shapes to cultivate visual imagery and capture the mind of The viewer. They have done a wide variety of projects, including Music Videos, Digital Photography, 3D Modeling, and Animation.

Giving queer Artist a platform is so important because queer art has always dealt with things like censorship or even destruction. Especially within this current political climate allowing queer and trans people to have a voice shows that we are still important and won’t shy away from talking about our experiences no matter what. 

Statement on Queer visibility 

Giving queer Artist a platform is so important because queer art has always dealt with things like censorship or even destruction. Especially within this current political climate allowing queer and trans people to have a voice shows that we are still important and won’t shy away from talking about our experiences no matter what. 

BIO 

Jerry Matthews is a Dallas-based Asian American fashion designer and creative director of Nine Muses Collection. After earning a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts for Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Dallas and graduating at the top of his class in 2012, he has been working in the fashion industry ever since while being featured in various publications such as Womens Wear Daily, D Magazine, Latina Magazine, Papercity Magazine, DFW Style Daily, The Dallas Observer, Florum Magazine, La Mode Magazine, Envie Magazine, Living Magazine, Factice Magazine etc. while also dressing celebrities such as Keke Palmer, Zendaya, BANKS, Arden Cho, Kiersey Clemons, Serayah, LIZ, Emily Bett, and more. 

Additionally, Matthews has been nominated for the “Rising Star in Women’s Fashion Award” in 2018 by Fashion Group International, Dallas. He was also featured by Saks Fifth Avenue as a featured designer in their “2016 Emerging Designer Showcase”, listed in Latina Magazine as one of their “New Emerging Designers to Look Out For” in 2016, while also winning “Dallas’ Top Designer Fashion Fund Award” in 2014 by Fashion X Dallas. 

Nine Muses Collection focuses on women’s contemporary sportswear and evening wear while also being cruelty-free, eco-friendly and proudly made in United States. The label does not adhere to the traditional fashion calendar in opposition to fast-fashion while emphasizing timeless styles. Additionally, each collection is inspired by nine different sources of inspiration within a cohesive theme. 

Statement on Queer visibility 

“Visibility and representation is incredibly important in all forms of media. As both a queer person and an Asian American, I didn’t see myself represented much in the media growing up. Now seeing it more and more as we progress as a society, it’s been both inspirational and motivational. Though, the fashion industry is unique in that it’s one of the few industries where queer innovators have been in the forefront for many years. I imagine this may have subconsciously made me feel more comfortable to pursue a career in fashion. I’m thankful to those queer trailblazers who have paved the way for me and inspired me to be able to express myself, creatively through fashion. Due to those before me, I’ve always felt like it’s been so important to openly and authentically be myself and not shy away from it either. These differences and combination of traits are what should be celebrated while also helping contribute to all of our unique points of view. Now more than ever, we need to promote and highlight queerness in order to be guiding lights that help further prove that there is beauty in queer visibility.”

BIO 

Ren Riley is a 15-year-old mixed media artist. She is in her first year at Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Art has been a part of her life since an early age. Inspired by her mother, who is also an artist, Ren continues to push the boundaries of portraiture and experiment with a variety of media. At age 7, Ren was diagnosed with dyslexia and sued art as a tool to support her studies and make reading and math accessible. She came out in middle school to the loving support of family, friends, and classmates. However, she did experience bullying at school. Despite this, Ren wore Pride pins, and honored the truth wile deeply focusing on improving her artistic techniques. Art allows Ren the freedom to express herself, to feel empowered, and share her vision of a more united world. 

Statement on Queer visibility 

My queerness affects my outlook on the world, and I believe these perspectives should be shared. Historically, LGBTQIA+ artists have been disenfranchised, despite our talent and unique perspectives. Having our work shared with the public is essential to acceptance. Perhaps if my work is seen and understood, it can create an opportunity for equality. 

BIO 

My name is Christopher Nájera, my pronouns are He/Him. I am an artist currently based out of Fort Worth, Texas.

I went to the University of North Texas and graduated with a BFA in Visual Studies and Studio Art. I will be pursuing candidacy towards an MFA at TCU. I was working as an art teacher with a focus on social justice work. I am part of and work with the local mutual aid and immigration justice groups here in DFW. As a child of immigrants, this part of my identity is so important to me and the way that I interact with my work and people I surround myself with.

I grew up in the 90s, where there was a lot of shame in the idea that a young Chicanx brown boy may exhibit and grow up to be a gay man. My work deals with the intersectionality of these two identities and how I grew up into the person I am now. Growing up in a religious Catholic household, oppression, shame, and guilt was thrust upon me and as an adult, I am now rejecting these fear-based ideologies.

My autobiographical work references the local DFW area, my Chicanx roots, queer identity, and the current cultural zeitgeist in the hopes that the people consuming my work can feel a sense of acknowledgement and understanding. My work is a nod to my biography, as well as my parents, my culture, and my brown queer community.

Statement on Queer visibility 

It is through my queer identity and coming into my own visible power that I have been able to achieve what I have worked so hard towards. As a queer artist, visibility is both a powerful tool and a vital necessity. By creating art that reflects our experiences and identities, we can challenge societal norms and provide representation for ourselves, and others like us. We can use our platforms to shed light on issues that affect the queer community, such as discrimination, violence, and lack of representation in mainstream media. By doing so, we can help to shape public perceptions of queer people and inspire social change.

Visibility as a queer artist also has personal value. It can be an empowering and cathartic process to share our stories and perspectives through our art. It allows us to connect with others who may have had similar experiences and can create a sense of community and belonging. It can also be a way for us to reclaim our identities and reject the shame and stigma that society often tries to impose upon us. There is so much power that comes from inner peace in the middle of imposed shame, something that a lot of cis-gender straight identifying people can’t relate to. People seek out queer artists to push art, identity, empathy, power, and humanity forward. We have a history of others taking it from us, I see a future where the creators will be highlighted like never before in history.

BIO 

Zena Negron is a gender fluid photographer. 

I moved to the Dallas area in 2022. From an early age, I fell in love with photography. I remember asking my grandma if I could take our vacation pictures when we went to Florida when I was seven. From there on out, I wanted to photograph everything and everyone. 

I took my first black and white film class my senior year of high school and knew I wanted to go to college for photography. From Las Vegas, I moved to San Francisco, where I attended the Academy of Art University. I received my bachelor’s in fine Art. 

Today my focus is on fine art portrait photography. I want to empower humans to love their own skin, find the power in their own sexual expression and embrace their full self.

Statement on Queer visibility 

Growing up I had so many internal struggles with my identity and sexuality. I was hiding who I truly was to please my family and to fit into this narrative of what was viewed as “normal” and “right”. As a queer artist I am able to express those struggles through my self portrait photography. 

BIO 

My name is Maria Jose. I’m a Dallas native who is heavily influence by my culture and the saying “con el nopal en la frente”. This saying reminds me that I carry my culture, my history and my ancestors with me no matter where I am. 

Latine folks are so under represented and our stories are always being told with the voices of others. I create to reclaim our power… our voice. With my art, I’ve created a world of nopales since they hold all the secrets of our gente. They are the historians of this world that remind us of what we were before colonization and the beautiful futures that are to come. I create with my heart since art for me is a way of connecting to my ancestors. They sit with me as I create and guide me in creativity. 

Through my work, I hope for community, connection, and culture. 

Statement on Queer visibility 

No matter what I share here it will be an understatement of the power and value of queer visibility. Considering the state of this country and the mass amount of anti-trans and anti-queer legislation being passed/introduced, now more than ever it is important to highlight queer artists. We are the social commentators and pioneers for change. But also, visibility is important to show other queer folks that we are here and thriving despite all of this homophobia present. Visibility also shows that we are much more than our struggles. Queerness is resistant. 

Queerness is softness. 

Queerness is love. 

Queerness is community. 

BIO 

Haitian-American designer and Project Runway season 17 "Top 7" cast member Venny Etienne, knew he had a desire to be immersed in the fashion industry when he started styling for local fashion shows in his hometown Brooklyn, NY at the age of 20. Etienne attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and later transferred to Wade College in Dallas, TX. He graduated Salutatorian of his class receiving a B.A. in Merchandising and Design. However, He credits most of his initial creative expertise to Milan-based designer and pattern maker Shingo Sato.

Etienne has dressed some of today's most current celebs such as Cardi B, Michelle Williams, Fantasia, Erica Campbell, just to name a few.

Statement on Queer visibility 

BIO 

As an artist, Brydric Wright is an empath. Layering innate compassion and creativity with intensive training in pattern making, draping, hand-tailoring and global textiles, his designs reflect connection, spirit and style. Five Eleven Collection believes in inspiring those that need a spark to ignite a flame in their life, those who think out of this world; seeking the big picture but appreciating the process in-between.

As a free spirit, how we dress is up to who we are on the inside, and showing who we truly are is genuine honesty, strength, and boldness. We are dreamers, passionately longing for design, culture, art, and overall creative engagements with ourselves and others. 

Statement on Queer visibility 

Be Free in who you are, love yourself, ​be yourself…