The Art of Pride

Kick off Pride month with queer artist Paul Richmond at Faust Salon in downtown Santa Cruz. See his latest series “The Naked Eye” which Huffington Post describes as “tackling toxic, fragile masculinity in a colorful way” as well as additional queer-themed works from throughout his artistic career. He will be creating a pride-themed painting live during the event which will be auctioned as a benefit for the Pajaro Valley Pride Scholarship Foundation to help the under-resourced LGBTQIA+ community pursue higher education.

Paul has been using painting as a way to explore and express his identity as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community since the beginning of his career. His work is an exploration of sexuality and identity, drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a gay man who grew up in a conservative environment. From his gender-bending pinup series The Cheesecake Boys to controversial paintings like “Noah’s Gay Wedding Cruise,” his body of work takes on the social constructs that exist around sexual orientation and gender roles in numerous ways.

The Art of Pride will take place Friday, June 1 at Faust Salon in downtown Santa Cruz from 5-9 pm.