Art in Community Molding Community with the Queer Clay Club On Wednesday evenings in the Joan May Vesel Studio at White Bear Center for the Arts, students gather weekly, not just to mold clay but to shape their identities in a space of acceptance and creativity The Queer Clay Club. as it's known, offers more than just a space for artistic expression; it's a haven for individuals of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations to build community through clay. The appeal comes from intentionally building space for the LGBTQ+ community. "It's a calling." Zawa Carney says. "You" go to the club and you already have two things in common with every person there: you're in some way, shape, or form a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and you like clay." Zawa is a regular attendee and has gone to the Queer Clay Club almost every week for a year now. He found the club after being a part of WBCA's High School Visual Arts and WriteNow! Competition since 2022. Ever since the club started a little over a year ago, a solid group of regulars have attended almost every week for two hours to work on personal or collaborative clay projects. What keeps them coming it back? For Ash Davis who has been involved at WBCA for over a decade, it's the great sense of community he feels from being with other LGBTQ+ people where shared experiences can flow. It's more than just a haven for personal exploration: Queer Clay Club has become a vibrant community where these experiences can foster bonds of solidarity. Ash says feels comfortable to be in a place where people know and respect others' identities and pronouns. "We have fun together, create art together, and celebrate pride together." Inclusivity is integrated into almost every feature of the club. The club is open to everyone 13 years and older at any skill level. "If you want to learn something. there's going to be someone in the room that probably knows how to do it or will at least help you," Zawa says. As a "Pay What You Can" program, students can attend at little to no cost thanks to generous funding from an anonymous White Bear Lake area donor. ensuring its doors are open to everyone. Allies and parents are also welcome to share the space; Zawa recounts a time when three moms attended with their three teenage kids and were greeted with open arms. With clay's malleable nature, it seems to be the fitting metaphor for the fluidity of identity and intentionality in shaping community. It's different from just another clay class, Zawa says. "If you put a bunch of people who all have one thing in common, which is that they're different, in a room and give them art, it's going to be a beautiful and energetic space. And it's going to be different from anything that you've seen because all of these people are different." For many members, the Queer Clay Club has become a space of self-discovery, centering creativity, and embracing authenticity. When it comes to the best thing about the class, it's hard to choose. "I don't think I can pick a favorite thing.... Zawa says. "My favorite thing about Queer Clay Club is its existence." For Ash, it's more than just an art class, "it's a second family." So, on Wednesday evenings at White Bear Center for the Arts, the members of the Queer Clay Club will continue to mold their own stories. While all are welcome to attend, advance registration through WhiteBearArts.org/ queer-clay-club is required." Upcoming events "Ode to my Umi" Community Reception White Bear Center for the Arts July 11, 6:30-8:30 PM Curated by Eshay Brantley, a 2023-24 Emerging Curators Institute Fellow, "Ode to my Umi" is a multidisciplinary exhibit that pays homage to Black grandmothers and mother's stories, revealing the generational resilience and comfort passed down generation after generation through the works of artists Bayou, Donte Collins, Namir Fearce, Ashe Jaafaru, and Precious Wallace. Summer Art Sale WBCA West Parking Lot July 12, 6:30-8:30 PM WBCA's Summer Art Sale is bringing together the White Bear Lake area arts and community. Enjoy a day of art, music, food, and entertainment at WBCA's West Parking Lot while shopping original work by local high schoolers and WBCA teaching artists and students. The Courtney Burton Trio Concert The Hanif Performing Arts Center Lawn June 30-1:00 PM Bring your own chair and settle in for an afternoon jazz concert featuring The Courtney Burton Trio! It's a pay-what- you-want event, but reservations are required. Mitchell Hall in Concert The Hanif Performing Arts Center Lawn July 14 - 1:00 PM Bring your own chair and settle in for an afternoon concert featuring hits by Johnny Cash! It's a pay-what-you-want event, but advance reservations are required. Art in Community Molding Community with the Queer Clay Club On Wednesday evenings in the Joan May Vesel Studio at White Bear Center for the Arts , students gather weekly , not just to mold clay but to shape their identities in a space of acceptance and creativity The Queer Clay Club . as it's known , offers more than just a space for artistic expression ; it's a haven for individuals of all gender identities , gender expressions , and sexual orientations to build community through clay . The appeal comes from intentionally building space for the LGBTQ + community . " It's a calling . " Zawa Carney says . " You " go to the club and you already have two things in common with every person there : you're in some way , shape , or form a part of the LGBTQ + community , and you like clay . " Zawa is a regular attendee and has gone to the Queer Clay Club almost every week for a year now . He found the club after being a part of WBCA's High School Visual Arts and WriteNow ! Competition since 2022 . Ever since the club started a little over a year ago , a solid group of regulars have attended almost every week for two hours to work on personal or collaborative clay projects . What keeps them coming it back ? For Ash Davis who has been involved at WBCA for over a decade , it's the great sense of community he feels from being with other LGBTQ + people where shared experiences can flow . It's more than just a haven for personal exploration : Queer Clay Club has become a vibrant community where these experiences can foster bonds of solidarity . Ash says feels comfortable to be in a place where people know and respect others ' identities and pronouns . " We have fun together , create art together , and celebrate pride together . " Inclusivity is integrated into almost every feature of the club . The club is open to everyone 13 years and older at any skill level . " If you want to learn something . there's going to be someone in the room that probably knows how to do it or will at least help you , " Zawa says . As a " Pay What You Can " program , students can attend at little to no cost thanks to generous funding from an anonymous White Bear Lake area donor . ensuring its doors are open to everyone . Allies and parents are also welcome to share the space ; Zawa recounts a time when three moms attended with their three teenage kids and were greeted with open arms . With clay's malleable nature , it seems to be the fitting metaphor for the fluidity of identity and intentionality in shaping community . It's different from just another clay class , Zawa says . " If you put a bunch of people who all have one thing in common , which is that they're different , in a room and give them art , it's going to be a beautiful and energetic space . And it's going to be different from anything that you've seen because all of these people are different . " For many members , the Queer Clay Club has become a space of self - discovery , centering creativity , and embracing authenticity . When it comes to the best thing about the class , it's hard to choose . " I don't think I can pick a favorite thing .... Zawa says . " My favorite thing about Queer Clay Club is its existence . " For Ash , it's more than just an art class , " it's a second family . " So , on Wednesday evenings at White Bear Center for the Arts , the members of the Queer Clay Club will continue to mold their own stories . While all are welcome to attend , advance registration through WhiteBearArts.org/ queer - clay - club is required . " Upcoming events " Ode to my Umi " Community Reception White Bear Center for the Arts July 11 , 6 : 30-8 : 30 PM Curated by Eshay Brantley , a 2023-24 Emerging Curators Institute Fellow , " Ode to my Umi " is a multidisciplinary exhibit that pays homage to Black grandmothers and mother's stories , revealing the generational resilience and comfort passed down generation after generation through the works of artists Bayou , Donte Collins , Namir Fearce , Ashe Jaafaru , and Precious Wallace . Summer Art Sale WBCA West Parking Lot July 12 , 6 : 30-8 : 30 PM WBCA's Summer Art Sale is bringing together the White Bear Lake area arts and community . Enjoy a day of art , music , food , and entertainment at WBCA's West Parking Lot while shopping original work by local high schoolers and WBCA teaching artists and students . The Courtney Burton Trio Concert The Hanif Performing Arts Center Lawn June 30-1 : 00 PM Bring your own chair and settle in for an afternoon jazz concert featuring The Courtney Burton Trio ! It's a pay - what- you - want event , but reservations are required . Mitchell Hall in Concert The Hanif Performing Arts Center Lawn July 14 - 1:00 PM Bring your own chair and settle in for an afternoon concert featuring hits by Johnny Cash ! It's a pay - what - you - want event , but advance reservations are required .