Couldn’t make it to DC Health’s Sexual + Being art exhibition launch event? No worries. You only missed sex talk, sugar tits, and cocktails!
On Thursday July 19, 2018, DC locals, art buffs, and sexual beings alike joined DC Health at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design for our launch event. The event packed quite a punch: it was the debut of our sexualbeing.org website and the “Sexual + Being” art exhibit, as well as the official announcement of the winners of our art and spoken word competitions.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with stickers, bags, and yummy hors d’oeuvres. Each sticker represented a different type of being, and guests were encouraged to wear the one (or ones!) that best described them.
![arm reaching out to registration table with stickers in various colors, #DCBeings signs, and a pair of blue scissors](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-71-300x200.jpg)
![woman posing in art gallery, stickers of various colors adorn her skirt](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-31-300x200.jpg)
![close up of drawstring blue gym bag with "SEXUAL + BEING" written across it; #DCBEINGS sign in background](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-68-200x300.jpg)
Senior Deputy Director of the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA), Michael Kharfen, opened the night with remarks on behalf of DC Health, affirming that sex is healthy, good, and a natural part of being. Kharfen’s remarks were followed by Corcoran School of the Arts and Design Director, Sanjit Sethi:
We really welcome our opportunities to support this campaign to serve communities with such diverse social, economic, cultural and gender-based backgrounds. What impresses me most about the Sexual + Beings campaign is the way it speaks to communities that are so often unseen, hidden, and overlooked.
– Sanjit Sethi
![Man in suit with tie standing at podium speaking into microphone; large banner behind depicting couple sitting and "SEXUAL + BEING"](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-51-300x200.jpg)
![Man in white button-down shirt and jeans standing at podium, speaking into microphone; large banner behind depicting couple and "SEXUAL + BEING"](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-54-1024x682.jpg)
We also enlisted the help of WPGC’s own Sunni to emcee. She was an absolute vision in yellow and the perfect emcee – her sunny (get it?) smile and infectious positive energy filled the gallery!
![Women in yellow lace dress and metallic heels posing on staircase; Banner in back with girl with purple hair and "BEING + BOLD"](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/sunni-1024x1024.jpg)
Heading the judges’ table for the art competition were esteemed queer, nonbinary artists Eames Armstrong and Antonius Bui. Though all pieces were beautiful in their own way, a few stood out:
- Case Baumgarten’s Tierra’s Courage won first place,
- Alan Schmid’s How You See Me captured second place,
- and Quincy Mata’s Home took home third.
![Girl in white tank top carrying a pink jacket taking photo of large art piece on wall](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-81-1024x682.jpg)
![Woman in patterned top with red handbag and red-orange mohawk listens to audio through over-the-ear headphones while looking at row of portraits.](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-20-1024x682.jpg)
These artists captured the essence of sex positivity, forcing the audience to question and converse about why exactly this piece is the essence of a sexual being.
Next up were our spoken word winner Gaelyn Smith, and runner-up Shaquetta Nelson. Smith and Nelson captured the audience with commanding presences and powerful words.
![Woman with curly deep purple hair and glasses wearing black tank top hold microphone in front of podium.](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-59-1024x682.jpg)
![Woman wearing black hat and orange collared shirt speaks into microphone while gesturing with other hand.](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-57-1024x682.jpg)
Gaelyn proclaimed “Being sexy is beautiful and beauty is in the eye of the beholder” while Shaquetta professed “My pussy is powerful and personal.” *snaps all around*
In between the art viewing and the speakers, guests enjoyed music provided by WPGC, great food, cocktails, and the stunning architecture of the Corcoran building.
![Diverse set of people in action, talking and walking through foyer with white columns and large banner depicting girl with purple hair.](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-75-1024x682.jpg)
However, no event is truly great without a little audience participation! After having the chance to explore the exhibit for themselves, guests were able to vote for three of their favorite art pieces (our “Fan Favorites”). It was a tough call, but the public spoke loud and clear:
- Claudia Lamy’s Intimacy with a Stranger 1 and Intimacy with a Stranger 2 won first place in fan favorites–an interactive piece that encouraged strangers to be intimate with one another.
- Runner-up was Kelly Gillis’ Sugar Tits–a beautiful piece many interpreted as pointing out the beauty and power in all breasts no matter the shape or size.
- The touching piece entitled Home by Quincy Mata won third place amongst fan favorites; the piece was inspired by the 2016 heartbreaking Orlando nightclub shooting–while the piece is rooted in a place of grief it empowers us to celebrate life and safe spaces for all people.
![Woman in white blazer gestures with both hands while speaking to woman in black dress and man in gray plaid suit jacket and glasses in art gallery.](https://sexualbeing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DC-Sexual-Health-Launch-38-1024x682.jpg)
The night was certainly one for DC history books. Feeling upset that you missed out? No need to fret- the exhibit will be open to the public until August 19. Visit Corcoran’s website and plan your visit today! Also, make sure to check out the rest of the pictures from the event here.
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