Freshman anthropology student Mia Wallen is hosting a student art exhibition titled “Queer Art, For and By Queer Artists” on May 1 at the St. Louis Virtuoso Collective. The show features works in all mediums by queer artists, with proceeds benefiting Trans Housing Initiative St. Louis, a trans-led organization addressing housing injustices. Wallen, who grew up in a small town with little queer community, conceived the exhibit as her final project to combine her passion for art and LGBTQ rights.
The exhibition matters because it positions art as a form of activism and community-building, especially for queer individuals who often lack representation. Wallen and Women’s and Gender Studies professor Mary Maxfield argue that artistic expression can reach audiences in deeply personal ways, making artists essential to social movements. By creating a space for queer artists to sell work and for visitors to engage in respectful dialogue, the show aims to foster belonging and visibility in a region where such opportunities remain scarce.