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Join us on for our winter day of Trans joy!
Celebrate trans joy with us at Express Yourself, a community-centered art and performance showcase uplifting the creativity, brilliance, and resilience of TGNC individuals and families. This event is a space where trans and gender-nonconforming artists, performers, and loved ones come together to share their stories, express their identities, and shine in their fullness.
Participants are invited to submit visual art inspired by our soon-to-be-released creative prompts (TBD) or to share performances—spoken word, music, dance, drag, multimedia, or any form of expression—that amplify and center trans experiences.
Whether you’re showcasing your work or cheering on our community, Express Yourself is a celebration of authenticity, connection, and the power of trans joy in all seasons.
Join us for an evening filled with creativity, warmth, and community pride.
Evoke Chi Art Gallery
3040 N Central Ave,
Chicago, IL 60634
FAQ
Have a question or concern?
Email us at outreach@transupfrontil.com
Where can I park and is it free?
Parking is easy and accessible for all attendees. The closest structured parking is available at Belmont Central Parking, located at 3140 N Central Ave, just one block north of the venue. In addition, there is ample free street parking along Central Ave and throughout the neighboring side streets, making drop-off and quick access simple. Street and garage parking are both free of charge.
Is the event accessible?
We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, and we will have sign language interpreters available to support guests who need them. Noise-cancelling headphones and fidget toys are also available upon request for attendees who benefit from reduced sensory stimulation or other sensory needs.
When is the submission deadline?
All submissions—visual art and performance—must be received by 11:59pm Friday, January 30, 2026. This deadline ensures our team has enough time to thoughtfully review each piece and prepare for the showcase. Submissions must be completed through the official application form. Each piece and performance require a separate submission form.
What are the requirements for submissions?
11 & Younger Track: This track is designed for young artists who are 11 years old or younger, or for artists with an intellectual disability for whom this category is most appropriate.
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Visual art submissions must be 8.5 x 11 inches or smaller.
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The artwork must be framed or on stretched canvas to ensure safety and ease of display.
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Performance pieces should be 3 minutes or shorter, as performance time is limited.
12 & Older Track: Artists who are at least 12 years old (or who have started middle school) and older, including adults, should apply to this track.
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Visual artwork may be up to 36 x 48 inches and must be framed or otherwise ready to hang, such as on stretched canvas.
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Performance submissions may vary in length, although we encourage artists to keep pieces around 3 minutes to allow time for all performers.
When will I know if my piece or performance is chosen?
Applicants will be notified after the submission review process following the January 30th deadline. All visual artists whose work is accepted will receive details on how and when to bring or deliver their art to Evoke Gallery, located at 3040 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634, where it will be safely stored and prepared for installation. At the time of acceptance, you will receive a link to schedule a time to drop off or instructions to mail to the gallery.
What are the prompts for submissions?
Artists are required to use one of the following prompts to guide their submission:
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Joy: What does trans joy look or feel like to you?
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Resilience: Where do you find strength or what helps you persevere?
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Authenticity: How does it feel to show up as your most authentic self?
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Community: What does community mean in your life or your art?
The official application form will ask for a brief written response (50–100 words) to the chosen prompt. For visual artists, this text will feature on a label alongside their work on the gallery wall and for performance artists will be in a printed program. Please keep in mind that the application form will not save in-progress responses, so consider drafting this text separately and copying and pasting into the online form.
What content restrictions are there?
We welcome a wide range of artistic expression as long as it remains family friendly. Submissions may not include profanity or sexual content. Artists are welcome to explore heavier or more complex themes, provided the work approaches these topics in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way and aligns with the overall spirit of trans joy, resilience, and community celebration. Works addressing adversity should also reflect some form of transformation, growth, acceptance, perseverance, or resolution.
What format restrictions are there?
Given the size of the gallery space, we can only accommodate visual artworks that can be hung on the walls. Sculptures and three-dimensional objects that need to sit on a surface will not be accepted. In addition to the size restrictions of visual artworks (8.5 x 11 inches or smaller for artists age 11 and younger; 36 x 48 inches or smaller for artists age 12 and older), we ask that artists use frames with a slimmer profile as the space cannot accommodate oversized frames. For performers, please note the stage space is limited, so performances that require broad movements or expansive space may not be logistically possible. Performances must be 3 minutes or shorter in duration. We take great care in handling all submitted work and will ensure that every artist who wants their piece returned receives it promptly after the event has ended at 5:00 PM.
Do I need to stay the whole time?
While we encourage artists to enjoy the full experience of the showcase, they are not required to stay for the entire event. The event will run from 1–5 PM, and artists and guests are welcome to arrive and depart as needed based on their comfort and availability. We request that accepted art pieces remain on display during the entire duration of the event.
What happens at the end of the show to my art work?
All artists may retrieve their work or have it returned to them after the end of the showcase. We ask that all accepted art stay displayed throughout the event. While not required, visual artists of all ages are welcome to offer their work for sale. For artworks offered for sale, we do require that a minimum 10% of the proceeds be donated to Trans Up Front Illinois. Offered artworks that do not sell will likewise be returned to the artists. We take great care in handling all submitted work and will ensure that every artist who wants their piece returned receives it promptly after the event.