E16: Building Inclusive Art Communities: Artitude’s Vision and Impact

Summary Jerome Larez shares his artistic journey and the founding story of Artitude, an organization dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ and marginalized artists in Dallas and beyond. We explore themes of representation, community-building, and the power of reclaiming words through art. Jerome also discusses the challenges and opportunities facing queer artists today and the future of Artitude’s programming and outreach. Keywords Jerome Larez Artitude Queer artists LGBTQ+ arts Dallas art community MariconX Intersectional art Art and activism Black and Latinx artists Inclusive art spaces Takeaways Jerome’s artistic roots began in music but transitioned to photography and mixed media, especially black-and-white photography, which became a therapeutic way to explore his queer identity. Artitude was born from conversations among marginalized artists about representation gaps in Dallas' queer and art communities, aiming to create inclusive, cross-cultural platforms. The organization's flagship program, MariconX, reclaims a historically pejorative term to empower Latinx queer artists and embraces inclusivity by adding an "X" to the name. Artitude intentionally fosters multicultural programming, exemplified by projects that blend traditions like Día de los Muertos with diverse artistic perspectives, including Black artists. Jerome balances multiple civic and cultural roles to influence broader access, equity, and representation for marginalized artists in Dallas. Recent funding from the Ford Foundation has allowed Artitude to hire staff, expand programs, and offer scholarships, increasing their capacity and community impact. The organization confronts challenges such as exclusion from events like the Texas State Fair when requiring LGBTQ+ recognition, and continues advocacy for visibility and support. Artitude fosters community and solidarity through art, creating safe spaces where artists can be vulnerable and authentic, inspiring mentorship and connection across identity intersections. Jerome emphasizes the importance of dialogue, strategic alliances, and creating tables where marginalized voices can be heard rather than forcing entry. Looking ahead, Artitude seeks to deepen cross-cultural collaboration and expand its influence regionally, including exhibitions at NYU and continued outreach in Texas cities such as San Antonio. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and Artistic Journey of Jerome Larez 04:50 – Founding of Artitude: The Starbucks Meeting and Early Conversations 07:30 – Defining Multicultural Programming and Cross-Cultural Artistic Expression 10:10 – Jerome’s Civic Roles and Integration with Artitude’s Mission 14:30 – Artitude’s Unique Community and Representation Focus 18:00 – Challenges in Dallas’ LGBTQ+ Arts Landscape and Funding Issues 21:40 – Reclaiming “MariconX”: Name, Controversy, and Inclusivity 26:00 – The Evolving Themes of MariconX and Adaptation Across Cities 28:00 – Solidarity Through Artistic Collaboration and Safe Spaces 31:30 – Impact of Ford Foundation Grant on Artitude’s Growth and Programming 35:00 – Navigating Controversies: Texas State Fair and Advocacy 38:20 – Managing Artitude Across Distance with Co-Director Rafik 40:00 – Future Aspirations: El Pueblo Unido Exhibit and Regional Expansion 43:00 – Mentorship and Advice for Emerging Queer Artists of Color 44:40 – Hope for the Future: Artists’ Persistence and Voices 46:50 – Quickfire Lightning Round: Personal Artistic Insights Guest Info Jerome Larez Artitude Official Website Artitude Instagram Resources and Links Art in the Raw Substack Newsletter Art in the Raw on Instagram Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Stay Connected with Salon Naturale! 
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