Whether physical protection from harm, or a place of spiritual and emotional healing—for millennia, sanctuaries have meant “you are safe here.” For LGBTQIA+ individuals, spaces to be seen, known, valued, and loved are critical. This art show is a celebration of these spaces, moments, and communities where we have been able to flourish as our full selves.

Live Music: Adrian Adioetomo, delta Indonesia blues
myseedsmusic.wixsite.com/adrian
instagram.com/adrianadioetomo

Adrian has been and continues to be a pioneer in Indonesia’s blues scene.

SANCTUARY: ART + HONORS, a LGBTQIA+ art show, will exhibit the works of local LGBTQIA+ artist celebrating safe spaces September 15-22 with no cost for admission. Local musicians also bring their gifts to the show with live music on most nights of the exhibition. Hosted at Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community in Southside, the show is a direct contrast to the more than 520 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country this year alone, a record. SANCTUARY is intended to be a celebration of the organizations and places that provide safety to the individuals and families threatened.

The Sanctuary Award takes the celebration of communal safety a step further by formally acknowledging, thanking, and sharing proceeds with a local organization that has stood for the LGBTQIA+ community. BikePGH will be the inaugural recipient of the Sanctuary Award to honor their work to create inclusive gatherings and communities, and advocacy for all people. BikePGH has championed both road safety and communal safety for queer riders.

The host organization, Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community, created SANCTUARY because there are wrongs to be righted. A statement from Hot Metal says, “For far too long, churches have not been a sanctuary, but have left wounds on LGBTQIA+ people. And while we, as one affirming and celebrating congregation, cannot make every church a safe space (if wishing made it so!) we can honor and thank the places in our communities that have offered refuge and cared for the beloved, beautiful, queer children of God. And we are delighted to share the spotlight with other allied congregations who have supported the creation of this show: Bower Hill Community Church, First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Mennonite Church, Rodef Shalom Congregation, and St. Andrew Lutheran Church.”

EXHIBITED ARTISTS:

• Michael Airgood
• Leslie Atcheson
• Chelsey Engel
• Valorie Jones
• Faye Kunde
• Megan Lindsey
• CJ Swanson
• Liam Taylor
• James Wodarek
• Erin Zeddies

Additional biographies of all musicians can be found on their respective event pages at sanctuarypgh.com/schedule

PUBLIC SCHEDULE:

•Friday, September 15, 6-10 PM
—Live Music: Adrian Adioetomo, delta Indonesia blues

•Saturday, September 16, 4-10 PM
—Live Music: Casey Catone, indie-pop live looper

•Sunday, September 17, 1-7 PM

•Wednesday, September 20, 6-9 PM

•Thursday, September 21: 6-9 PM
—Live Music: Alyssa Hankey, rustbelt folk

•Friday, September 22, 6-10 PM
—Live Music: Ryan Caldwell, acoustic music for electric people

The schedule of all events can be found at: sanctuarypgh.com/schedule