The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art has opened two new exhibitions celebrating queer identity, memory, and community. "John Paul Morabito: Dancing in the Night" features large-scale woven works by transdisciplinary artist John Paul Morabito, using linen, cotton, gold-leaf threads, and beadwork inspired by queer history, resistance, and celebration. The second exhibition, "Norma I. Quintana: Paradise of Memory / Paraíso de la Memoria," presents a portrait series by photographer Norma I. Quintana that examines memory, identity, and cultural heritage, recreating hand-painted backdrops from her family's photographs to honor her community. Both exhibitions run through September 6.
These exhibitions matter because they center queer narratives and cultural memory through textile art and photography, offering visibility and celebration of LGBTQ+ history and community identity. By featuring works that reference queer icons like Sylvester and explore themes of resistance and futurity, the museum contributes to broader conversations about representation and the preservation of marginalized histories in the visual arts.