The Queer Arts Festival (QAF) in Vancouver kicks off on June 5 with two visual art exhibitions centered on the theme "On the Edge." The Community Art Show at SUM Gallery features diverse takes on the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience across multiple media, with artists including Cedar Sargent, Dana Ayotte, and Maya U Schueller Elmes, and runs through June 27. Simultaneously, Varied Editions at On Main Gallery, curated by Cheryl Hamilton and Edward Fu-Chen Juan, explores printmaking techniques with works by Paul Wong, Zoë Grace-Ann Laycock, and the late Preston Buffalo, alongside community workshops in papermaking, silkscreening, and zine making.
This festival matters because it directly addresses the current political and social pressures facing queer and trans communities globally, framing the "edge" as both a site of danger and creative transformation. By centering visual art as the festival's core, QAF provides a platform for marginalized voices and honors the legacy of Pride in Art founder Robbie Hong, reinforcing the role of art in fostering resilience, community, and cultural dialogue during times of heightened vulnerability.