ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When everyone was stuck at home at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, a local artist became inspired for a new exhibit.
The Fine Art Galleries at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is featuring the exhibit “Creating Home” by Bethlehem-based artist Kevelis Matthews-Alvarado.
- Bradbury-Sullivan Center is featuring a new exhibit, "All Hands Hold," by Bethlehem-based multimedia artist Kevelis Matthews-Alvarado
- Matthews-Alvarado said they made the artwork during the height of the pandemic when everyone was stuck at home
- It is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until Feb. 17
The multimedia exhibit has about 30 pieces created during the height of the pandemic. It explores themes of the importance of a home, self-acceptance, chosen family and Matthews-Alvarado’s identity as a queer Afro-Latine person.
It is free and open to the public when the Bradbury-Sullivan Center is open, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until Feb. 17.
Matthews-Alvarado’s work also has been featured in a group show titled "Queering Care" (2022) at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, but this is their first solo exhibit. They said they enjoyed seeing a cohesive, large body of their work on display for the first time.
“This is all my work in one space, and it's telling a story,” Matthews-Alvarado said. “That's so cool, and really inspiring in terms of what's possible. This is the first of many.”
Creating ‘Creating Home’
Matthews-Alvarado said they made the artwork in the exhibit during the height of the pandemic when everyone was stuck at home. They said they had a lot of time to think about what home means to them and how to make their home reflect who they are.
“For me and my chosen family, that became creating art, and, like, putting it up on our walls. And so 'Creating Home' existed in my house before it actually existed to the public,” Matthews-Alvarado said.
The pieces are made from many mediums — there are watercolor paintings, acrylic paintings, drawings on vinyl and collages.
“I think about the idea of remixing a lot, especially how beautiful it is to be able to pull images from Jordan Casteel portraits, or these other Black artists that I'm inspired by, and literally bring their work into my work.”Kevelis Matthews-Alvarado, artist of the "All Hands Hold" exhibit
Matthews-Alvarado said they love a collage because it is an accessible medium anyone can use, and a way to bring different things together into a cohesive whole.
“Everything is a remix of a remix,” Matthews-Alvarado said. “I think about the idea of remixing a lot, especially how beautiful it is to be able to pull images from Jordan Casteel portraits, or these other Black artists that I'm inspired by, and literally bring their work into my work.”
Matthews-Alvarado struggled to claim the label of "artist" as their own. They hope people who see the exhibit realize that anyone can create art.
“I would love it if this show inspires others to give the art thing a go, even if it's just for the sake of creating,” Matthews-Alvarado said. “That, to me, would be beautiful.”
To buy any of the pieces, contact the Bradbury-Sullivan Center or reach out to Matthews-Alvarado directly on their Instagram page.
