“she was a public house”

2019 - 2023; ongoing project

Dominant narratives of queer migration from “town” to “city” after enduring a life of secrecy or persecution, assert that the only way of achieving queer community or happiness is by way of urban lifestyle. this metronormative narrative, for me, has resulted in the socially constructed compulsory act of not only denying/severing family relationships but also participating in oppressive ways of asserting my queerness (conforming to white gay male consumer culture, operating on false dichotomy of rural vs. queer existence, etc.)

Deeply concerned about the urban rural divide and misconceptions of both realities, I reflected upon my community prior to defining and outlining my own community as a queer person and city dweller. Who were my people before/while I was becoming myself?

A Watertown Wisconsin native, my mother tended bar at the local bowling alley, Firehouse Lanes Bar and Grill, for over 20 years. The Tavern was home to many a birthday celebration, and later gossip over drinks together. firehouse has since closed it’s doors and I have embarked on constructing objects reminiscent of, and paying respects to the Wisconsin bar (or rather the people inside it) that raised me.

“She Was A Public House”

Images of “Soft” launch party @ Vermont Studio Center and Installation (my studio)

Beginning in residency at Vermont Studio Center, I launched a “soft opening” and celebration of all my tavern inspired art objects becoming a Pub in and of itself. This has started to become a nomadic (maybe even virtual?) site in which I can hold art events that propose alternatives to oppressive traditions of queer and midwestern culture. She Was a Public House will invite folks to participate in non-metronormative pursuits of queerhood, fun and belonging. 

All February artists in residence at Vermont Studio Center were invited to my studio on the last day to destress and come together after packing and shipping our work back to our respective homes. Surrounded by unfinished work, we watched “Four Weddings and a Funeral” made pom pons, and I served my first cocktail special “The Johnson” (whiskey, maple syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, bitters) that was created with a writing resident and Vermont native.