Lambda Archives of San Diego (LASD) is a wonderful nonprofit tucked away behind Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. Their mission is to collect, preserve and teach the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the San Diego and Northern Baja California region.
San Diego is fortunate to have an organization so dedicated to safeguarding local LGBT history that could easily slip into the mists of time, one memory at a time. The community is lucky to have them and LASD is lucky to have (i.e. has worked hard to acquire) an amazing new space that has climate-controlled storage areas, a lending library, digitized material and an art gallery.
That gallery will be jam-packed Friday night for the opening reception of its second exhibition: Queer Artists Project. The Archive’s Queer Artists Project has been resurrected by Cesar Chavez, an art history major at the University of San Diego who has been volunteering at the Archives since fall 2012. Chavez is also the curator of this new exhibition.
The idea for the project originally came from former Lambda Archives’ president, Bruce Kamerling, whose work will be on display for the inaugural exhibition. Susan Richards began volunteering for the Archives before Kamerling died in 1995, and officially founded the project under her stead more than 10 years ago.
“We are excited for this first exhibit by the Queer Artists Project to celebrate our local LGBT art culture,” said Kelly Revak, lead archivist at Lambda Archives. “The works displayed are diverse examples of the historical artwork housed at Lambda Archives as well as outside pieces representing the continued and vibrant arts scene in San Diego. It is encouraging to see Bruce Kamerling and Susan Richards’ goal of maintaining a record of the life and work of artists within the local LGBT community continued. The work of artists is an important part of our community’s history; one that Lambda Archives is dedicated to preserving and celebrating.”
Highlights from the community pieces exhibited include work by Carl Schmidt, Vickie Leon, John Keasler, and Julie Warren. I am flattered and honored to also have a piece of work included in the show. Artwork in the show that comes from the archive includes work by Robert Miles Parker, Bruce Kamerling, Muriel Fisher and Lisa Kanemoto, as well as many others who will be identified on opening night.
“These people were very serious about what they were doing in their community. They were the forbearers to what we have now. They were activists in the very beginning, putting themselves out there, and I think it’s important for us to recognize and acknowledge that,” said Cesar Chavez, Lambda Archives volunteer and curator of the Queer Artists Project exhibit.
I am so happy to be part of this event. I am looking forward to the show, and I hope I will see you there. The reception will last from 7-9 p.m. with light refreshments and a live performance art piece by local artist Sami Peterson. Entry is free. If you miss this exciting event then you have until June 15 to catch the show.
