Artist and photographer John Osler (1935 b. – 2023 d.)  is best known for his ability to capture an emotional moment and his work demonstrates his deep respect for his subjects. His painted portraits combine a fresh and free approach to color and style, which over his long career, garnered admiration from fellow artists for their strength and directness. As the house artist for the Dirty Dog Jazz Café in Grosse Pointe Farms and behind the scenes at the Detroit Jazz Festival, Osler photographed both emerging musicians and the icons of Detroit Jazz and possessed a natural ability for capturing the artists feeling the emotional expression of their music. His 2013 book Detroit Jazz documents the legacy of Detroit Jazz musicians. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Osler’s artwork was featured on promotional posters for the Detroit Jazz Festival.

Attend the opening reception for Moises Salazar’s “In my Arms” on Friday, June 7, from 6:00-9:00pm.

As a non-binary, first-generation Mexican American, Moises Salazar’s work is deeply influenced by his lived experiences, cultural upbringing, and the Chicago Queer community. Salazar’s practice is dedicated to advocating for the communities he is a part of, and his paintings explore queer nightlife, trans experiences, and immigration activism. Using glitter—a material often stigmatized— he creates depictions of queer and immigrant bodies. With his own likeness as a template, his faceless figures serve as stand-ins for any Queer Latinx youth, defiantly challenging erasure. Inspired by fashion and drag culture, Salazar uses a myriad of embellishments, fabrics, and textures combined with traditional Mexican craft techniques through his work that transforms pain into healing and restorative energy.

Attend the opening reception for David Lee Csicsko’s MR. FANCY PANTS: A CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ ICONS on Friday, June 7, from 6:00-9:00pm.

Through a vast survey of artwork that spans David Lee Csicsko’s 35+ year career and explores his personal growth as an internationally renowned artist and designer, Mr. Fancy Pants features images from his recent series of books, LGBTQ+ ICONS, FASHION ICONS, and new works of iconic artists. Also included in the exhibition are Csicsko's posters for the City of Chicago, The Legacy Project, his Gay Games logo designs, selections from his famed Saints in the Garden series and designs for Chicago's LQBTQ+ service organizations. Csicsko’s playful, distinctive style and use of bold colors reflect his passion for being a visual participant in the cultural world that we live in.