Lambertville-New Hope Artist Glams up with Artful Renderings of 21 LGBTQ+ Icons

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PrideFest Celebration New Hope
Image via NJ.com.
Dancer Willi Ninja, interpreted by artist Silky Shoemaker
Writer Langston Hughes

Two organizations on opposite sides of the Delaware River are uniting to honor LGBTQ+ icons, part of their annual cohosted PrideFest celebration. The Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce and New Hope Celebrates History are behind the art installation of “Queer Icons: Pioneers,” reports NJ.com. 

Artist Silky Shoemaker created the life-sized plywood portraits of LGBTQ+ icons. She will oversee their placement in storefront windows throughout both communities. 

COVID-19 cancelled the communal 2021 parade, but smaller events — like this one and the annual cocktail contest — are still on. 

“The Icons I picked out are from a nearly endless lineage of incredible contenders,” Shoemaker said. “[They] stand out to me for their contributions to society and culture as artists, activists, writers and visionaries. 

Educator Constance Spry

“They were pioneers in their respective fields: civil rights activists, drag performers, dancers, arbiters of rock and roll, baseball players, floral designers, writers, film directors and producers.” 

Each portrait is accompanied by a biography in English and Spanish. 

A map of locations is online

More on this art display is available at NJ.com

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