The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, will host a panel discussion on LGBTQ art history from the 18th century to the present on June 25, 2025. Moderated by interim director Larry Jones, the event features panelists including independent curator John Noga, University of Akron galleries director Arnie Tunstall, artist/educator Todd Rurban, interdisciplinary artist Heather Seno, and researcher Ginger Williams. Guests can participate in collaborative art projects such as creating Pride affirmation flags and contributing to a rainbow mosaic mural.
This event matters because it brings visibility to the often-overlooked contributions of LGBTQ American artists over 250 years, connecting historical struggles for rights and expression with contemporary community engagement. By combining scholarly discussion with hands-on art-making, the Butler Institute fosters inclusive dialogue and affirms the role of art in social progress, particularly relevant during Pride Month.