Lesbian Art Circle is Dublin’s newest culture club and publication that offers a space for queer women and people of marginalised genders to engage with art, ideas and each other. Hot off the press, the group’s latest issue officially releases on March 14, accompanied by a sold-out launch event in The Fumbally Stables.

Spearheaded by Ava Chapman and Meredith Davis, GCN spoke to the co-editors to find out more about this exciting project.

What inspired you to create Lesbian Art Circle?
Meredith: Whilst the queer nightlife scene in Dublin is growing promisingly, my friends and I always wished for more queer spaces of varying energy levels to inhabit and meet people.

Lots of meaningful friendships of mine had begun at exhibitions or literary launches. There’s something about the social pace of those events, as well as having this built-in talking point that seems to lend itself to having fruitful conversations with strangers.

At the same time, I had recently been meeting up for pints with a few pals to specifically discuss our own art practices and art more generally. I’d been finding that rewarding and thought it would be nice to expand that environment so more people could partake. I’ve done research in the past about how one of the core values of creativity to the makers is how it can facilitate social connection, so making an arena for that to happen seemed like a worthwhile endeavour.

What can readers expect from the publication?
Ava: So far, we’ve been really delighted by the quantity and quality of work submitted.

In our first issue, we were very happy to have published a wide variety of art forms. We published personal essays, drawings, poems, photographs, historical essays, frames from comics, and even a map made using GIS software!

This diversity of artworks is something we’d really like to continue fostering. It’s fun to see these disparate art forms in conversation in one publication. It makes for a lively and dynamic event.

I would tell a reader, going in, to expect to be surprised – you’re just as likely to flip to a page with an essay about nail-biting or small talk as you are to flip to a page with a painting or a photograph or a humorous criticism of the show Heartstopper.

 

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Příspěvek sdílený Lesbian Art Circle (@lesbianartcircle)

What is the purpose of the event?
Meredith: The event is an evening of readings, discussion, a few drinks and laughter. The idea is that contributors to the publication have an opportunity to talk through their work, whether it was a written piece or visual submission. They can then answer questions from attendees, and interesting conversations crop up! Whether about their artistic processes or the themes and ideas behind the work.

At our first event, topics ranged hugely, from discussions around queerness to entirely random topics. Everyone was engaged and it ended up being a really warm and welcoming environment. After the readings we all stuck around to chat for much longer.

Tell us about the plans surrounding Vol.ii
Ava: The event will be on March 14 at The Fumbally, with tickets now sold out. We’ve been delighted by the work submitted, but you’ll have to get your hands on a copy and read it yourself! Expect poetry, prose, and visual art of all kinds.

Meredith: We’re really delighted to be doing this next issue so soon due to demand. As well as the corresponding Dublin event in March, we’re also planning a London event later in spring. We’re excited to connect the community across the cities because we know how many people (especially queer people) relocate to London, and think Lesbian Art Circle is a great way to find queer community in a new place.

We’ll also take orders of Vol.ii copies just after the event. Details about both and further submission windows will be announced through our Instagram @lesbianartcircle.

 

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Příspěvek sdílený Lesbian Art Circle (@lesbianartcircle)