Derrick Carl Biso returns to AWE for the summer!

Art Windsor-Essex
3 min readMay 26, 2022
Photo of a non-binary person facilitating a virtual program. Their hair is in a bun and they look at their computer with a smile.

If you joined one of our virtual programs throughout 2020–21, you likely caught a glimpse of our former Special Initiatives Coordinator Derrick Carl Biso. Throughout their time at AWE, Derrick facilitated numerous virtual programs, school tours, and educational lessons and worked on curating a special exhibition at Art Windsor-Essex — which is now open to the public! Now, if you visit Art Windsor-Essex from now until September, you can see the exhibition Looking Back, Looking Forward, which foregrounds 2SLGBTQQIA+ artists in Art Windsor-Essex’s collection. Read on to learn more about some of the initiatives that Derrick will be involved with this summer!

Looking Back, Looking Forward

May 24 — September 25, 2022

A promotional images with geometric circles and squares that says “Looking Back Looking Forward.”

Looking Back, Looking Forward includes artworks by Stephen Andrews, Michael Bidner, John Brown, David Buchan, Evergon, Robert Flack, Martha Fleming and Lyne Lapointe, General Idea, Frances Loring, Cyndra MacDowall, Regan Morris, Charles Pachter and Florence Wyle.

Looking Back, Looking Forward is an exhibition of artworks from the Art Windsor-Essex Collection. These artworks were made by artists who are also a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and/or any other sexual and gender minority), historically and living. The exhibition has a regional focus, featuring artists who have lived in Ontario (particularly the Southern region, ranging from Toronto to Windsor).

Curator Tour: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Saturday, June 4, 3 pm— 4 pm

A light green and deep purple promotional image that says “Looking Back, Looking Forward, Curator tour with Derrick Carl Biso.” There is a photograph of Derrick giving a close-mouthed smile to the camera.

Join curator Derrick Carl Biso for a guided tour of Looking Back, Looking Forward. Discover treasures from AWE’s collection created by artists who are also a part of the 2S-LGBTQQIA+ community (2-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and/or any other sexual and gender minority), historically and living. The exhibition has a regional focus, featuring artists with ties to Southwestern Ontario.

Celebrate Pride: Collage workshop with Derrick Carl Biso

Sunday, June 26, 2 pm — 4 pm

A pink and orange promotional image that says “Celebrate Pride Collage workshop with Derrick Carl Biso.” There are several rainbow flags on the promotional image.

To celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month this year, Art Windsor-Essex is partnering with the QLink Windsor-Essex collaborative and local artist Derrick Carl Biso to present an in-person collage-making workshop. Derick Carl will briefly present the history and culture of collage, and share prompts to encourage participants to make their own.

Mx. Derrick Carl Biso uses they/them/their pronouns exclusively. They recently completed the role of Special Initiatives Coordinator at AWE. They also labour as an artist, community organizer, educator, and graphic designer. Derrick Carl is currently employed as the Program Administrator and Facilitator with the QLink Windsor-Essex collaborative.

--

--

Art Windsor-Essex

Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) is a non-profit public art gallery that uses the power of art to open hearts and minds to new ideas. Change happens here.