"Transcend" Art Exhibit Honors Transgender Journeys

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Sept. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- **NOTE
THIS PROJECT IS TEMPORARILY ON HOLD
PRESS RELEASE WILL BE UPDATED WITH NEW DATES

Visual artist John Gascot of Studio 4, Old Town in Alexandria, VA is busy at his easel creating Transcend a topical collection of paintings reflecting on the life-journeys of transgender men and women. As a female impersonator in the 1990’s, John entertained many a crowd alongside numerous trans women, developing friendships with many of them. “I have always admired the courage and conviction it takes to walk in the shoes of our trans sisters and brothers. It’s a journey that is often stereo-typed but seldom honored.” In August John began seeking participants, whom he considers collaborators, to share of their journeys with him. The exchanges between artist and participants are the inspiration for the Cubist-Pop paintings John is creating. With this project he set out to gain and share insight and to show that diversity within the trans community is as vast as in any other. “I hope that people will engage with the work. I’d like for viewers to let pre-conceptions and differences fall aside and take notice of the similarities between themselves and those who inspired the paintings.”

The artists of Studio 4, Old Town believe that art is a vehicle for social change and are devoted to making their community a better place. Gascot has committed to donating 25% of all proceeds raised via art sales from this exhibit to The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), a non-profit social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of trangender people through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment. A reception will take place on Saturday, January 18, from 6 until 9 pm at Studio 4, Old Town. It is free and open to the public.

Transcend will be on display for the entire month of January at Studio 4, Old Town, 218 North Lee Street, Suite 101, Alexandria, VA, 22314. Gallery Hours: Thurs-Sat 12:00pm-7:00pm and Sun 12:00pm-5:00pm or by appointment. For updates and directions, please visit their website: www.studio4oldtown.com

About The National Center for Transgender Equality:

The NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who saw the urgent need for a consistent voice in Washington DC for transgender people. It is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people.

By empowering transgender people and their allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation’s capital and around the country.

www.transequality.org