William Way LGBT Community Center
The William Way LGBT Community Center proudly presents Refigured, Unframed, a bold new exhibition in collaboration with Philly Queer Life Drawing, on view from May 8 to June 30, 2025. This vibrant showcase consists of artwork featuring queer, trans+, fat, disabled, Black, and Brown models. By centering these bodies, this exhibition refigures who has been excluded from the tradition of life drawing and expands the frame to embrace more diverse representation. Rooted in celebration and reclamation, Refigured, Unframed features more than 50 original drawings by 22 local artists working in pencil, charcoal, acrylic, watercolor, and digital drawing, plus stunning photographs which document 2 years of Philly Queer Life Drawing’s events.
About Philly Queer Life Drawing:
Philly Queer Life Drawing is a project by Brielle DuBose and De’von Downes which aims to uplift trans, fat, disabled, Black and Brown bodies. Since 2023, they’ve organized dozens of life drawing events where participants draw a model through a series of poses starting with 1 minute gesture drawings and ending with a 30-40 minute pose. Their events have been hosted at Tattooed Mom, Fleisher Art Memorial, Camden FireWorks, Moore College of Art & Design and other sites in the Philadelphia region. In 2024, Philly Queer Life Drawing was awarded the Art and Change Grant from the Leeway Foundation. For more information, see their instagram here.
Thursday, May 8, 6 – 8PM, free and open to the public
Instructional Life Drawing Class with De’von Downes:
Sunday, May 18, 1 – 4PM, tickets available here
Pride Month Life Drawing Session:
Sunday, June 8, 1 – 4PM, tickets available here
Gallery Hours:
Monday–Thursday, 5:30–9:00PM
William Way LGBT Community Center
1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Brielle DuBose
CX Timon
De'von Downes
George Bierly
Holly Day
Joanna Sublingual
Junji Shang
Kelly Lynch
Lee Ely
Megan Kelchner
Nina Jun Yuchi
Ruth Hayakawa-Nawy
sāgar kāmath
Steph McGady
Stevie Laney
Tiana McMillan
Viola Bordon
Will Rigberg
Yves Kincaid
William Way LGBT Community Center
1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
P: 215-732-2220