Life always has and always will be about the AWT… Artists Working Together! Experience a showstopping Exhibition Ball presented by the House of AWT Project, a showcase of talent and artistry through the lens of the House/Ballroom Community. This first ever five-category Exhibition Ball from the House of AWT Project, curated by the Iconic Sean/Milan™ Garcon, will feature over 30 House/Ballroom artists who will take center stage to compete in front of a panel of judges.
Commentators
Legendary Enyce Gorgeous Gucci
Father Torie Balmain
Sound – DJ Ben Xtravaganza
Judges
Legendary Mother Gia Tisci
Legendary Mother Fe Garcon
Icon ZaZa Mizrahi
Legendary Father Jamari Marc Jacobs
Legendary Mother Isla Ebony
Categories
European Runway – Is it giving ‘Warhol’ or Wore Out? White Wig and a Bright Colorful Effect
All American Runway – Are you serving ‘Mondrian’ or Please Move On? Color Block Insanity.
Vogue Performance – Are you feeling ‘Monet’ or Mo Not? Flowing Florals, Flowers, and Pastels.
Hand Performance – Is it emoting ‘Escher’ or Etch-a-Sketch? Black or White Gloves.
???Surprise Category TBA???
Doors and Cash Bar open at 8 pm. Ball starts at 9 pm.
This event is free, however, reservations are recommended.
About The House of AWT
In response to the societal policing of young people of color’s bodies in Los Angeles, 4 artists: Laura Owens, Eve Luckring, Diane Bromberg, and Tessa de Roy created an organization that enabled young people to artistically express themselves, educate their peers about sexual health, and engage their community through public events. This organization, known as REACH LA, hosted biannual substance-free raves and sexual health workshops that attracted over 2000 youth attendees.
Starting in 2006, the Legendary Sean/Milan™ Garcon, one of the pioneering founders of the West Coast House and Ballroom Scene, launched the annual Ovahness Ball with REACH LA, a platform for at-risk LGBTQIA+ young people of color in the House and Ballroom Community to showcase their artistic talents as well as strengthen their sense of community. Sean/Milan™, Carla Gordon, and other REACH LA staff members transformed Ovahness into not only an annual Ball but several other programs that allowed low-income LGBTQIA+ young people of color to grow as artists. Guest artists supported the programs by collaborating to create new products and performances which lead to the creation of The House of AWT.
The mission of the House of AWT is to empower at-risk queer (LGBTQIA+) youth/young adults of color by offering free art experiences to develop their skills, creativity, self-worth, and resilience. The House of AWT is a professionally-run art community and safe space where queer young people of color who are marginalized from mainstream society, and their allies can explore their own ideas and creative practices. With the House of AWT, young people work side-by-side with professional artists and community cultural leaders in order to learn and practice various urban art forms including fashion, dance, media arts, music production, and street art.
The House of AWT provides the resources and opportunities for young artists to produce and share their work through art shows, social media, public performances/events, and micro-enterprises such as pop-up shops and community art fairs. For young aspiring artists of color who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts, the House Of AWT provides pre-professional training including mentoring, networking and coaching, to build self-sustainability and skillsets for successful employment in the creative arts field.
About Iconic Sean/Milan™ Garcon
Sean/Milan™ Garcon is a performance artist, advocate, and one of the pioneering founders of the West Coast House/Ballroom Scene. Sean has constructed programs that bridge artistic creation, HIV education, and wellness development for queer and trans youth of color in Los Angeles. This includes founding and producing the annual Ovahness Ball, the longest-running Ball on the West Coast, for 14 years (2006-2019).
His latest achievement/role is Founder of The House Of AWT Project, whose mission is to facilitate young LGBTQIA+ people of color working side-by-side with professional artists to gain free studio training in various art forms including dance and choreography, audio/video production, fashion design, music production, and street art. The project is based around an individualized artist development model to help each young person create a finished work that they can share with the community and use for future professional opportunities. For more info regarding The House Of AWT, please visit HouseOfAWT.org.
Sean Milan has also served as an artist-in-resident at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, in conjunction with painter Laura Owen’s mid-career retrospective. Through his performance and advocacy work, Sean/Milan™ has partnered with a variety of institutions including REACH LA, Men’s Health Foundation, Macy’s, 356 S Mission Gallery, The Box Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Marciano Arts Foundation, Los Angeles Philharmonic, City of West Hollywood Arts Commission, USC, UCLA, Occidental College, Cal State Long Beach, Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Magic Johnson Foundation, World of Wonder, LA Pride, and DTLA Proud.
Photo: Rachel Hinman, Model & Creation: Legendary Mother Fe Garcon
