{"id":187460,"date":"2026-04-06T19:13:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/187460\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T19:13:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:13:44","slug":"new-york-citys-first-trans-art-fest-showcases-connects-and-empowers-trans-artists-brooklyn-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/187460\/","title":{"rendered":"New York City\u2019s first Trans Art Fest showcases, connects and empowers trans artists \u2022 Brooklyn Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"TransArtFest_040226-2\"\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Carter Shocket (right), a Brooklyn-based textile artist and curator at Eleventh Hour Art, is the founder of Trans Art Fest, a two-month community-driven festival in New York City showcasing the work of over 120 trans artists through exhibitions and events that celebrate trans creativity and visibility.<\/p>\n

Photo by Pat Plush<\/p>\n

Art has long served as a powerful tool of resistance, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, especially during periods of repression.\n<\/p>\n

At New York City\u2019s first Trans Art Fest, a two-month grassroots, community-driven art program organized by trans artists, allies and curators, the festival celebrates trans creativity while connecting, supporting and empowering trans artists at a time when the transgender community faces growing discrimination and hostility.<\/p>\n

More than 120 trans artists are showcasing their work in 12 all-trans exhibitions and over 20 events, including workshops in glassblowing, embroidery, screen printing, somatic movement, mending and figure drawing, along with trans cinema screenings and a comedy night.<\/p>\n

Carter Shocket, a Brooklyn-based textile artist and curator at Eleventh Hour Art in Brooklyn Heights, founded and curates the festival. He told Brooklyn Paper that previous summer group shows he organized for all-trans artists were valuable for connecting trans artists with trans curators.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey kind of felt like they happened and then they were over, like it wasn\u2019t a long-lasting kind of project. It was just a flash-in-the-pan kind of thing,\u201d Shocket said.\n<\/p>\n

After a friend asked him about his dreams and vision for the future, Shocket began organizing a festival featuring trans art and performances, collaborating with like-minded members of the art community, including Arts Gowanus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Trans Art Fest in New York City is showcasing the work of more than 120 trans artists across exhibitions, workshops, and performances, highlighting creativity, community and visibility amid rising challenges for the transgender community.Photo courtesy of Trans Art Fest<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, like people were really excited by the idea of being a part of a festival and showing trans artists,\u201d Shocket said. \u201cIt has grown exponentially, way, way bigger than I had actually even thought was possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The festival runs through the end of May. Shocket said the community\u2019s enthusiastic support has been inspiring, particularly during a difficult period for transgender people.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a lot of times, definitely not intentionally, trans artists are reduced to a single story, or we\u2019re expected to make art about specific things; typically, like our bodies, our trauma, our transitions,\u201d he said. \u201cSo showing so much trans art and showing it with trans curators and so many having so many different opportunities and ways to present work, it\u2019s really breaking apart that expectation, and it\u2019s really allowing us to be shown and seen in our full complex way, our full complex selves, and our full complex art.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"A diverse range of trans art is on display throughout the festival, including ceramics, textiles, metalwork, fiber, assemblage, and painting, highlighting the creativity, resilience, and voices of the trans community.Photo courtesy of Trans Art Fest<\/p>\n

Some festival highlights include:<\/p>\n

\u201cAlchemists\u201d \u2014 exploring how queer bodies, lives, and desires interact with and transform the natural world.
\n\u201cA Tender Touch\u201d \u2014 an exhibition featuring all Black trans artists, focusing on love: self-love, love of community and nature, and expansive romantic love.<\/p>\n

Both shows open April 11 at Eleventh Hour Art<\/a>, 61 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn Heights. \u201cAlchemists\u201d runs 4\u20137 p.m., and \u201cA Tender Touch\u201d runs 7\u20139 p.m., both continuing through May 24.<\/p>\n

Puffin Brooklyn<\/a>, 227 5th Ave., Park Slope, hosts \u201cStarling Skies,\u201d a show by and for trans youth and adults. It includes an evening of short films by trans youth and a reading of young trans writers presented by Chrysalis Magazine. The opening reception is April 18, 1\u20134 p.m., and the exhibition runs through May 17.<\/p>\n

\"\"Opening reception for \u201cStarling Skies\u201d at Puffin Brooklyn on April 18 showcases the work of trans youth and adults, including short films and readings by young trans writers, celebrating creativity and community.Photo courtesy of Trans Art Fest<\/p>\n

\u201cKinetic Kim,\u201d an outdoor exhibition by Neptune in June<\/a>, is on display at Warren St. Marks Community Street between 4th and 5th avenues. Featuring 15 trans artists, the show spans ceramics, metalwork, fiber, assemblage, resin sculpture, installation, and panel painting, highlighting the history of community gardens as queer sanctuaries and organizing hubs. The opening reception is April 18, 2\u20134 p.m., and the show continues through May 30.<\/p>\n

\u201cBasketdolls \u2013 In Transition Show and Trans Art Fest\u201d takes place at Thomas Boyland Park basketball courts in Bushwick on May 30 at 3 p.m. The event features an art show curated by Brooklyn-based, trans-led basketball community Basketdolls,<\/a> along with a game and music. The festival\u2019s finale also marks the start of Pride Month.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust that show in particular just really exemplifies what is possible when we are empowered to show our art on our own terms and with our own community. And I\u2019m really excited about it,\u201d Shocket said.<\/p>\n

For a full line-up of exhibitions, events, and participating artists and galleries, visit transartfest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n