LGBTQ+ Creativity to be Spotlighted at Magazine Launch, Art Exhibition and Pride Event

Creative events seeking to amplify Lincolnshire’s LGBTQ+ voices by showcasing queer talent will mark the beginning of Pride month.

Pride Month takes place in locations across the UK in June and students, staff and alumni from the University of Lincoln will again be part of the celebrations, including through contributions of creative work to a series of artistic events and activities the public can enjoy.

SWISH! is being hosted by the University of Lincoln in collaboration with student and alumni grassroots organisations, Obscene Pomegranate and The MashUP. It is delivered with the support of the national UK New Artists (UKNA) Creative Citizens programme which is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Obscene Pomegranate is a Lincoln-based magazine and online platform that promotes the work of queer artists, writers and creatives, run by Emily Collyer (MA Fine Art student) and Cat Anderson (MA Arts and Cultural Management student).

Cat Anderson said: “We are delighted to share our second issue of Obscene Pomegranate this Pride month, filled with incredible submissions from Lincoln and beyond. We have always been in awe of the support that has surrounded us as an organisation, and we can’t wait to celebrate with SWISH! and Spare Me the Details, all made possible by UKNA, The MashUP, General Practice and Southside.”

Issue One of Obscene Pomegranate was launched in February 2023, featuring work from 30 creatives from the LGBTQ+ community, and was celebrated with an art exhibition, poetry evening and music night at the University’s Project Space Plus gallery.

Issue Two will be available to buy from 1 June 2024, when it will be displayed at Spare Me the Details, an intimate arts exhibition at General Practice which is an artists’ event space in the city.

The pink-infused display at General Practice will feature work from artists Emily Collyer, Will Thompson, Luna Rosson and a commission produced by Melody Phelan-Clark, all studying Fine Art at the University of Lincoln. Open and free to all, the exhibition represents a significant step in the students’ journeys as artists while enabling the public to see the work of fresh up-and-coming artistic talent from their own city.

At Southside, a cultural events venue in Lincoln at the former St Katherine’s church, Obscene Pomegranate will join forces with The MashUP to present SWISH!: an inclusive, creative event to kickstart Pride month. On 1 June, it will boast stalls from queer-creative platforms and charities, complemented by music and spoken word performances from Lincoln-based artists including Caitlin Forsgate, an MA Creative Writing student.

An informal panel titled ‘Too Queer for Lincolnshire’, hosted by Jamie Gosling (MA Arts and Cultural Management student), will give further space to local LGBTQ+ perspectives at SWISH!.

The MashUP is a Lincoln-based creative platform led by Madara Vimba (MA Fine Art student), Tom Cansdale (MA Theatre alumnus) and Kieran Spiers (BA Drama and Theatre alumnus). Their mission is to showcase creative voices across all disciplines and develop a more diverse and dynamic cultural landscape centred on local talent.

Madara said: ‘’We’re thrilled to be working alongside such inspiring local organisations and individuals to celebrate Lincoln and Lincolnshire’s queer voices. The cultural offering in Lincoln continues to grow and we are excited to be a part of that.

“This event is a testament to the creativity and passion within the region and we’re proud to showcase and uplift the work of local creatives – something we continually strive to do!’’

The MashUP is also in the process of developing its second iteration of The High Street Happening: a continuation of their first event that was held in Spring 2023 and provided a platform for 16 local artists to showcase their work in the heart of Lincoln. The free event was hosted across Lincoln Cornhill Quarter and St Mary le Wigford church, drawing approximately 3,000 visitors.

Vikki Jones, Talent Development Manager and Creative Citizens programme lead at UKNA, said: “After spending a full year working in Lincoln through UKNA’s Creative Citizens programme, we witnessed the significant need for safer spaces for queer youth in the area.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with and support Lincoln-based grassroots organisations like The MashUP and Obscene Pomegranate to bring positive change and create meaningful opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Spare Me the Details art exhibition will be open from 1-9 June 2024 at General Practice (Clasketgate, Lincoln). SWISH! will take place at Southside (Colegrave Street, Lincoln) on Saturday 1 June 2024 from 2 – 6pm.

Register your interest in SWISH! here: SWISH! | Southside Lincoln (southsidelincs.com)

No booking is required for Spare Me the Details.