“Refreshing” at Claudia Castillo ART Studio presents works by Gabriel Garbow, running through Oct. 4.
Garbow creates watercolors in his home studio in San Francisco. His unique style takes cues from contemporary screen prints, pop art, and turn-of-the-century book illustrations. With influences including David Hockney, Douglas Simonson, Egon Scheile, and Marc Silvestri, Garbow’s own work moves between the poles of high and low art. His work is known for conveying a sense of peace, energy, playfulness, and intimacy. Recent series have focused on male nudes outdoors and couples in more domestic settings. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday or by appointment. Call 954-274-7047.
Back to the Drive
Stonewall Museum’s “Back to the Drive 2” on Oct. 17, invites those attending to unleash their creativity by dressing as a real or fictional character from LGBTQ history, as we come together to honor and celebrate our shared heritage. This evening promises to be filled with excitement, featuring an open bar, delicious food, and an atmosphere brimming with joy and camaraderie.
The event supports the Stonewall's Education Program, which is dedicated to fostering safe environments and provides outstanding materials promoting acceptance of curricula that are fully inclusive of LGBTQ history and culture. General admission tickets are $250, VIP tickets are $500 or $1,000 and Sponsorships are available. For more information go to stonewall-museum.org/back-to-the-drive-2/.
PRISM Gala
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 5 as PRISM celebrates another year of queer, youth-led advocacy at its 2024 gala! This year’s theme is “LGBTQ+ History - The Shoulders We Stand On.” The event will be held at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 N. Dixie Hwy. in Oakland Park. In addition to entertainment and dinner, there will be interactive exhibits, a silent auction, and an awards ceremony. According to PRISM Executive Director Maxx Fenning, “This year, as we continue to fight to have our voices heard in the face of bigotry and censorship, we are highlighting the rich and diverse stories of our community’s history. We know that those who came before us have paved the way to equality with their blood, sweat, and tears. Join us as we pay homage to the people, organizations, and movements that lit the fire of queer activism and fought for the rights we have today.”
PRISM’s story is truly one of grass-roots advocacy. On March 29, 2019, four students met in a classroom at Boca Raton Community High School. Feeling dejected by staff and student leadership at the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, they were dead set on getting a fresh start, creating a space where LGBTQ students could feel safe and affirmed. Pushed into a corner by the school administration, they set their sights on expanding beyond the school to impact LGBTQ youth in South Florida. On April 27, 2020, PRISM Boca High became PRISM FL, Inc. In Janaury 2022, the Florida House of Representatives introduced HB1557. While supposedly meant to give parents more involvement in their children’s education, it quickly found a new, much more accurate nickname: the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. PRISM sprang into action, making several treks up to the Capitol building in Tallahassee.
In April 2022, PRISM expanded its advocacy work on the local level when it joined the fight for comprehensive sex education in Miami-Dade County. Since then, it has continued fighting for inclusive schools and curricula in South Florida. In September of that same year, it rallied the community to push MDCPS to recognize October as LGBTQ+ History Month. What started as a small group of high school activists expanded into a vibrant and diverse coalition of queer advocates in just three short years. It now has a Board of Directors, a thriving volunteer base, and a robust staff.
For more information, go to prismfl.org.
