OUTvoices Nashville July 2021 Issue

4235 Hillsboro Pike, Ste 300, Nashville, TN 37215 Phone 615-596-6210 OUTANDABOUTNASHVILLE.COM STAFF Publisher: Aequalitas Media, LLC

Group Publisher for Aequalitas Media Bill Gemmill Founder and Publisher Emeritus Jerry Jones Group Editor Aequalitas Media: Merryn Johns merryn@outvoices.us Managing Editor: James Grady jgrady@outandaboutnashville.com Sales & Marketing: Keith Chamlee Keith@outvoices.us Design, Layout and Production: Saul Santos fsdemianhades3@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Writers: Emily April Allen, Tyler Caruthers, Eric Dulberg, Mark Jones, Muse, Gabriel Pozzo, Dennis Upkins, Melissa Warrick, Samantha Zaruba Photographers: Cody Stallings Cover: Muse, photo by Cody Stallings National Advertising Representative: Aequalitas Media 3023 N Clark St #732, Chicago IL 60657 312-600-8823

CORRECTIONS

We regret that the February LGBTQ Business Directory and Travelers’ Guide listed an incorrect phone number for Karuna Therapeutic Solutions. Their correct phone number is 615-669-6621. We apologize for the confusion.

OPPORTUNITIES

Out & About Nashville welcomes volunteer writers, photographers and videographers throughout the year. If you’re interested in contributing to our publication, send an email to editor@outandaboutnashville.com with a resume, contact information and samples of your work if available. Our volunteer staff is unpaid, but contributors do receive credit for their work in our print publication and online. Those seeking an internship in journalism or mass communications are strongly encouraged to apply.

LEGAL

Out & About Nashville strives to be a credible community news organization by engaging and educating our readers. All content of Out & About Nashville is copyrighted 2017 by Out & About Nashville, Inc. and is protected by federal copyright law and shall not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. All photography is licensed stock imagery or has been supplied unless otherwise credited to a photographer and may not be reproduced without permission. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representations does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of the person or persons. Out & About Nashville accepts unsolicited material but cannot take responsibility for its return. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit submissions. All rights revert to authors upon publication. The editorial positions of Out & About Nashville are expressed in editorials and in the editor’s notes as determined by the editor. Other opinions are those of writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Out & About Nashville or its staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged but may be edited for clarity and length. There is no guarantee that letters will be published. Out & About Nashville only accepts adult advertising within set guidelines and on a case-by-case basis.

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Ah, fall. 80 degrees outside, 360 degrees of inside.

art

Stand on one of America’s best beaches, soaking in a breathtaking sunset over the Gulf. Stare deeply at one of Salvador Dalí’s legendary works of art. Or stroll down a quaint side street in one of our eclectic and inviting neighborhoods. Either way, the sensory visual experiences here never fall short. So take it all in.

VisitStPeteClearwater.com

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Cover Article

Muse

Makeup artist, Artistic Director In her own words…

My journey in makeup started in my adolescent years. I would watch my mom go into the bathroom one way and come out an entirely different person, it seemed. I was astonished, and I knew I wanted to try it out myself. So I would take her makeup and try it out on myself at school. It went from that to hair, to my entire image and body shape. It got to a point where I felt like I was a drag queen crafting myself into my idea of the “perfect woman”.

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Politics

YOU DESERVE TO BE PAID.

F re e Con su lt a t io n • C a ll U s 24/ 7 w w w. b a r td u r ham.c om | 6 1 5 -2 4 2 -9 0 0 0 4 04 Jam e s Ro be rtso n Pa rkway, S u ite 1n a7s h1v i l 2l e . o,u tNas h ville,JuneT2021 N 37219 voices.us

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Muse, Makeup artist, Artistic Director

I noticed how much attention I got as her and how much I could distort people’s perception of me, and I loved it. I remember feeling like I didn’t look feminine or desirable without it. My passion for image started to drift into an obsession. I got to a point where I couldn’t be seen without my whole look being together.

It became my mask. No one knew the real Muse behind it. And neither did I. I never spent enough time just bare faced and free.

I wore body garments to enhance my curves and weaves to give me the perfect look. It grew to be a chore to keep up. After really getting to a point of some-what acceptance, I realized I wasn’t just hiding my face, hair, and real body. I was hiding who I was at my very core.

I realized something scarred me so deeply that I never really faced myself and all of my flaws and natural beauty. It even went as deep as my sexual orientation. I knew I was different. I lived my entire life trying to be what I thought would be more palatable.

To the point where I truly started to become these personas. I lost myself in it. I formed relationships based on my false self and never could get deep with anyone. Here I am, at 32 years old, having had a failed marriage and 2 beautiful daughters just now unveiling my true identity to myself and others. Finally coming to terms with my authentic self and my sexual preference.

I am bookable for any and all makeup needs, or as artistic director for photo shoots and projects. I specialize in theatrical/ creative and photoshoot makeup. You can book me or my team at www.Artofficialmakeup.com. Our Instagram business page is @artofficialmakeup and my individual page is @muse_theartist.

Email marketing that works for you.

myemma.com

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Express Yourself

Art

Express Yourself ARTISTS IN THEIR OWN WORDS Samantha Zaruba Getting into the heart and out of the head. That is what art does for me. I began painting when I was 4 years old and have succumbed to the "not good enough / not enough time" traps ever since - which is to say: I've only been consistent in shelving my dreams. Balancing art with my other pursuits (developing indie artists at my label LunaSea Media) has been a journey in self-love and discipline.

My current series of nude figure paintings explores my relationship to body image, aging, burnout and health. I started the series in quarantine while grappling with sudden weight gain. Everyone hates that skinny friend who complains about weight so I want to be very clear: I objectively know I’m thin. However, putting on 20 pounds in 2 months and turning 30 all at once took me back to being a chubby kid bullied by the boys who she liked because of her weight. As I began to reckon with how fiercely my identity clings to being “attractive", I dug into other issues concerning the body. A percentage of sales from the originals goes to a cause of the muses' choice.

Though most of my current muses happen to be queer, I'm working on a sub series of queer bodies for Pride as I look at what it means to take up space as an LGBTQ person.

Check out more of Samantha’s work on Instagram: @zaruba__art.

Dennis Upkins “An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times.”

—Nina Simone.

2020 was a global reckoning that was long overdue. Last year alone, Nashville experienced a tornado, a race riot, a pandemic, a quarantine, martial law, multiple protests, and a bombing all within a 3-mile radius from where I live.

As a creator and an activist, I knew those protests would be key moments in history and said key moments should be captured and chronicled properly. Hopefully, I achieved that objective and did Ms. Simone proud.

Melissa Warrick I am a Tennessee native, and I turned to art about fifteen years ago as a means to cope with anxiety. I have displayed my art alongside Terry DeMars. He and I raised money for various causes for the LGBT community.

My Facebook art page is facebook.com/onegirlscreations and my Instagram is @warrickmd.

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Art

Express Yourself

Gabriel Pozzo I don’t remember a time when I was not infatuated with the idea of being an artist. I was born in the US but grew up in Caracas—a place where structured opportunities weren’t available and resources were very scarce. Because of this I decided to pursue art on my own. Countless hours were spent up in my room, researching and studying by myself. My free time was dedicated solely to drawing and painting.

I have been in Nashville since the summer of 2016. Since then, my life has changed dramatically and I’ve gotten to know myself much more deeply. as I found myself without boundaries of any kind in this city, It provided a lot of room to roam freely. It has also gifted me with an enduring relationship that accepts and supports my goals and aspirations. Something to which I’ve always been very thankful for.

The pieces that I’m currently producing are experiments in storytelling. They consist of traditional subjects such as portraits, the figure, still life, landscapes and more, yet these are pieces in which I try to explore my boundaries as an artist, to understand myself better in the visual language. Crafting a voice of my own, yet understanding it to be in constant flux.

Check out more of Gabriel’s work on Instagram: @gpozzoq.

Gabriel may be reached by email at gpozzoq@gmail.com.

Emily April Allen Being a photographer is one of the most meaningful parts of my identity. It is also closely tied to my queerness. For me, my queerness informs the lens with which I see the world, and photography gives me an artistic medium—a literal lens—to explore it. I feel connection and a sense of safety and understanding with other queer folks. I grew up in a queer family—my two brothers and I are all queer—so queer community feels like home. I am inspired by the spirit of authenticity, fluidity, personal style, and artistic expression of queer individuals in my life and community. Amplifying the voices of the individuals I photograph through portraiture is an honor.

Photographing people in my community has allowed me to connect with others in a way that feels more natural and personal than other forms of interacting. I can be awkward in social situations, but when I’m photographing, I feel present and connected.

In addition to taking portraits, I enjoy documenting the queer community of Nashville through event photography and photo projects. Last year, I took distanced portraits of over 150 queer folks at home in Nashville through my series “Nashville Queers in Quarantine,” a project that will always be extremely important to me. I’m currently working on a project called “Nashville Businesses Who Stand With the Trans Community,” which aims to give Nashville businesses an opportunity to visibly show support for the trans community amidst a time of harmful anti-trans legislation, including the recent bathroom signage law. Over 50 businesses have signed up to participate, and the list keeps growing! I’m partnering on this project with my friend and collaborator Amo Elizabeth, who is a Nashville resident, trans woman, model, artist, and advocate, to carry out this project. The photos pictured here represent this project.

My work can be found at emdashphotos.com or on Instagram at @emdashphotos.

"Becoming I" oil on canvas. 30 x 40" 10

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Express Yourself

Art

Tyler Caruthers A few years ago, I began my journey of self-discovery and self-love.

I was depressed, working a retail job, and had no sense of purpose or direction. I put all of my creativity on hold while trying to navigate adulthood but realized it was time for me to refocus. I took a few trips, spent more time in nature, and began to explore my spirituality.

After a few months into this process, I finally found the magic in the world—and myself—once again.

Fast forward to quarantine, stuck at home with too much free time, and some art supplies that I’ve collected over the years—inspiration struck like lighting. I went into my room, put on some music to vibe to, and just let my painting build itself. Before I knew it, I had finished my first and favorite piece, “Pix”.

I would describe my art as an exploration of self/identity. Through the use of colors and motion, I capture the harmony of masculine and feminine energies that everyone has within themselves.

Being genderqueer myself, the subjects in my paintings have a sense of abstract androgyny, loosely based on gods and faeries, and are mostly based around my understanding of what it means to be human, uniquely yourself, and to experience all the beauty in the world.

See more of Tyler's work on Instagram @art.of.Tyves. Tyler’s are will also be in a show called EBCM (Everything But Country Music) on July 10, 2021 at The Space at 100 Taylor.

Mark Jones Growing up gay in rural Alabama was tough, to say the least. I always felt like an outsider, alien even. Art allowed me to get outside of myself if only for a little while. I received praise for my drawings and people would ask me to draw for them. In a way, art helped me to fit in.

Until recently, I was creatively blocked for years due to anxiety disorders and depression. I’ve lived with mental illness all my life, but I’m doing much better nowadays. I am now a mental health advocate and mixed media artist using recycled materials. Creativity flows like water for me now.

I recently launched a website, www.jmjarts.com, for my art where I write a weekly blog in the form of an artist journal. Please subscribe if you’re interested. I write about art projects, experimenting with recycled materials, and mental health. There are mental health resources on my website for those in crisis or living with mental health issues. I want to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and start healthy conversations about the potential for recovery.

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Art

Express Yourself

Eric Dulberg Sometimes in life, we lose our way. Most people bounce back and then there are some who have to hit rock bottom. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Eric has that story. Hitting absolute rock bottom and rebuilding his life, essentially from nothing. As a recovering addict, he has spent the last 11 years working on himself.

In doing so, he discovered a passion he did not know existed. One thing he learned in his journey—everyone you meet in life has a story.

His goal: to share those stories with the world.

Follow his journey on Instagram and Facebook @EricDulbergPhotography.

Medical research hasn’t always seen you.

We’re changing that.

Learn more at joinallofus.org/fiftyforward 615-743-3431 12

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Barbecue

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June 2021

Joe Eats World

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A Chat With Chef Joe Morales

Cover Article

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Architect. Designer. Artist. Visionary.

At the end of the 19th century, the Glasgow Style emerged as the major manifestation of Art Nouveau in Britain, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh was its greatest proponent.

Experience the first US exhibition in a generation to highlight Mackintosh’s innovative architecture, designs, and paintings. See how he played with light and dark, soft curves, and delicate lines to achieve opulent effects. Explore the larger circle of artists and craftspeople, including many women, with whom he collaborated to create the unique and dynamic Glasgow Style.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 12

FristArtMuseum.org @FristArtMuseum Downtown Nashville, 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 #TheFrist #FristGlasgowStyle

Designing the New: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style is a touring exhibition co-organized by Glasgow Museums and the American Federation of Arts.

The exhibition comprises works from the collections of Glasgow City Council (Museums and Collections), with loans from Scottish collections and private lenders. Support for the US national tour is provided by the Dr. Lee MacCormick Edwards Charitable Foundation.

Platinum sponsor

Hospitality sponsor

Education and community engagement supporters

Spanish translation sponsor

The Frist Art Museum is supported in part by Friends of the Arts of Scotland and

Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. The May Queen (detail), 1900. Made for the Ladies’ Luncheon Room, Miss Cranston’s Ingram Street Tearooms, Glasgow.

Gesso on burlap (hessian) over a wood frame, scrim, twine, glass beads, thread, and tin leaf, 62 1/2 x 179 7/8 in. overall. Glasgow Museums: Acquired by Glasgow Corporation as part of the Ingram Street Tearooms, 1950. © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection. Courtesy American Federation of Arts 16

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