Brilliant Hues & Intimate Forms

Second Story Studio is proud to partner with the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University for a powerful and timely Pride Month art exhibition and event. This special collaboration celebrates LGBTQ+ voices through archival curation, contemporary artistic expression, and a vibrant opening night celebration.

🌈 About the Exhibit

Brilliant Hues brings together selected LGBTQ+ and regional artists who will visit the Kinsey Institute’s historic archive — including rare works by Cuban-born artist Emilio Sanchez. During their tour, artists will learn about the Institute’s influential research in human sexuality and view intimate pieces from Sanchez’s private collection.

Following their visit, each artist will create original work inspired by their experience and personal journey. These new pieces will be displayed alongside Sanchez’s work in a public exhibit at Second Story Studio.

🖼️ Featured Exhibition: Intimate Forms

Intimate Forms highlights the rarely seen personal drawings of Emilio Sanchez, known publicly for his bold architectural forms. In contrast, this collection features intimate, colorful abstractions that reflect a joyful and vulnerable queer identity—created during a time when self-expression came with serious risks. It offers a rare look at the private side of a groundbreaking artist living in the 1930s.

🎉 Opening Celebration – Friday, June 6

Kick off Pride Month with an unforgettable opening night!

• VIP Reception: Enjoy an intimate gathering with the artists, early access to view and purchase artwork, and exclusive refreshments.

• Public Celebration: Doors open to the public for a vibrant evening of music, entertainment, and community. All are welcome to explore the exhibit, connect, and celebrate the power of queer expression through art.

💬 Cultural Significance & Community Impact

This exhibit is more than a celebration—it’s a stand for visibility, representation, and resilience.

At a time when the Kinsey Institute faces major state funding cuts and LGBTQ+ rights are under political attack, this show serves as a joyful act of defiance. It uplifts queer voices, educates through exposure, and sparks conversation through creativity.

By bringing together the past and present, this exhibit draws powerful connections between queer experience then and now—reminding us why visibility matters.

Join us at Second Story Studio this June to celebrate identity, history, and the power of art.