Happy Pride, Calgary! Glenbow is proud to celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA+ community and can’t wait to walk with open hearts and rainbow flags in the Calgary Pride Parade on September 1.
We spoke with Glenbow’s Pride Co-Chairs Kyle Russell, Director, Visitor Experience & Programming and Margery McBride Elliott, Museum Educator about the meaning of pride and why art is for everyone at Glenbow.
Hello, Kyle and Margery! What does Pride mean to you?
Margery:
Pride is just that — a feeling of honour and self-respect. In reality, it is much more than that. It is community and kindness. For me, it doesn’t matter who you love — what does matter is being a good human, living a happy life, and taking care of the people and places around you.
In our house, Pride is celebrated every day. I have the privilege of being the proud mom of a 2SLGBTQIA+ person and the proud “adopted mom” of a few more amazing people. Without this kiddo in my life (who I am very thankful for), I would not have the same opportunity to both enjoy and support the Pride community.
Kyle:
I love what Margery says and I agree totally. As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, it’s a way for us to feel like we are welcome, we’re loved, and we’re supported by our community. Pride makes the difference for many of us to feel comfortable in our true identities when we get to celebrate with other members of the queer community and allies who show up with love.
Why is it important for Glenbow to participate in the Calgary Pride Parade?
Kyle:
When an organization participates in Pride, it signals to our community that we are welcome, and we can be ourselves when interacting with them. It’s great to see organizations show support at the event, but it also signals to our community that we are welcome to access services and experiences that may not be the easiest or most comfortable to access when you are a member of the queer community. As an art museum, it’s really important that we show up in this way because our whole reason to exist is for visitors to explore content, interact with art to learn more about themselves, and to make meaning out of what they’re seeing and experiencing. Participating in Pride tells our community that we can show up as our true selves and will be welcomed with open hearts.
Margery:
There are five reasons for Glenbow to be in the Calgary Pride Parade, though the last one really stands out:
- So. Much. Art!
- History from many communities and many voices.
- Everything in the museum tells a story, from the smallest belonging to the biggest painting.
- It’s a really fun place to explore!
- It is a safe space for everyone. End stop.
What do we mean when we say art is for everyone at Glenbow?
Kyle:
I mentioned that it is important that we can interpret art as our true selves, but it’s important (especially for me in my role overseeing programming and visitor services) that people can be themselves in the museum. I really love that I can walk around with my boyfriend in a space like Glenbow and we can hold each other’s hands without fear of being alienated. When you see an organization like Glenbow represented at Pride, you know that we truly mean art is for everyone — and the experience of visiting the museum is also for everyone.
Margery:
It doesn’t matter what experiences a person has or hasn’t had, or what their age is — art truly is for everyone. Whether you make art, experience art, participate in art, or all of the above, it is a form of human creativity that can transcend culture, language, and time.
As an artist myself, I am a little biased about art. It is the one space where artists can unmask from society and express our true selves. With any luck it can enable the viewer or participant to envelop themselves in that safe, open space as well.
At Glenbow, we believe art is for everyone. Making our building, programming, and collections more accessible for every member of our community is the driver behind our Glenbow Reimagined campaign and transformation. We are excited to celebrate Calgary Pride and continue to show up for our community by affirming that everyone is welcome, we are here for every member of our community, and that artistic expression and access are basic human rights for all.
See you at Calgary Pride!
