New Exhibition at The Frank Celebrates Diversity

 “Prism” at The Frank offers an interdisciplinary view of LGBTQIA identity and diversity and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, an interdisciplinary view of LGBTQIA identity and diversity by using the arts as a catalyst for dialogue comes to life in the new exhibition, Prism, at The Frank in Pembroke Pines.

The public is invited to the Prism opening reception at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 22. Guests also will enjoy a special family-friendly performance by iconic South Florida entertainer Tiffany Fantasia. Admission is free. The exhibition will be on display through May 4.

Curated by The Frank’s Chief Curator Joshua Carden, Prism features the works of artists Tom Atwood, Shawn Bouffard, Steven Chayt, Christian Feneck, Laura Marsh and Sean Mick.

“This exhibition was not only founded with the idea of celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, but it also is meant to encourage everyone to celebrate any aspect of selfhood,” said Carden. “Prism shines a light on the LGBTQ+ community and the societal constraints and obstacles they overcame. Through Prism we hope to expand the community’s progressive attitude beyond the mainstream population by celebrating the diversity of South Florida and fostering an inclusive space that can effect social change through art.”

Also on view during the exhibition will be “Our Broward Story,” a short film made by the Stonewall National Museum and Archives that chronicles a campaign in the 1990s to protect Broward County’s LGBTQ community from discrimination. With support from The Community Foundation of Broward, this documentary, directed by Andy Perrott, features longtime activists including Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.

In The Frank’s Third Space Gallery, which specifically focuses on supporting non-profit organizations, educational partners, underrepresented populations and community advocacy groups, “Florida Imagined” will be on display from February 22 through March 30. Florida Imagined features the work from the gifted artists of St. Petersburg, Fla.-based The Inspired Artist Studios @ PARC, a career advancement initiative for artists of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities wishing to participate in Florida’s thriving creative industry. The opening reception for Florida Imagined from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 22 is free and open to the public.

As part of Prism, The Frank also will offer free fun, engaging and educational workshops, lectures and events for children and adults. For more information, visit https://www.thefrankgallery.org/events

The Frank is located in the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines at 601 City Center Way. Admission to The Frank is free. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about The Frank, call 954.392.2120, email thefrank@ppines.com or visit thefrankgallery.org. Follow The Frank on Facebook and Instagram at The Frank Pembroke Pines.

More about the Prism artists:

Tom Atwood: a notable photographer who has shot more than 100 luminaries, been featured in hundreds of publications in more than a dozen countries and whose most recent work focuses on portraits of people at home

Shawn Bouffard: a painter whose work is inspired by his experiences of the world as a trans man.

Steven Chayt: his work originates in the conceptual art of the 1970s and has roots in surrealism and dada.

Christian Feneck: a painter whose work is a physical demonstration and exploration of the relationship of color in our perception space.

Laura Marsh: an installation artist with work that is accessible, funky, quirky and celebrates the individuality of the viewer inviting tactile sensations and active participation

Sean Mick: his work represents subjects, situations and emotions in a reductive visual language.


About The Frank

The Frank is a two-story art gallery named after Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis for his decades-long commitment to the cultural arts. The Frank art gallery, located in the Charles F. Dodge City Center, showcases multi-disciplinary inclusive exhibitions to foster connections, initiate cultural change and promote innovation. The gallery’s exhibition and learning space serves as a site of convergence for artists, performers, thought leaders and community members to create partnerships for social engagement, leveraging the power of the arts to create a sense of place.

The Frank is located at 601 City Center Way Pembroke Pines, FL 33025. Stay connected and follow The Frank on Facebook and Instagram at The Frank Pembroke Pines. For more information, call 954.392.2120 or email: thefrank@ppines.com.

Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission charges are subject to change during special events. Times and dates for special events will be announced.

Funding for this organization is provided in part by Broward County Cultural Division, Culture Builds Florida, Hello Sunny-Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center and Visitors Bureau and National Endowment for the Arts.