Deloris T. Van-Cartier is a Treasure

Visit her at Neptune's Treasures for "Art is a Drag" 2016

We are honored to have such a prestigious entertainer sharing her perspectives on the industry and on the craft of drag in general.

Delores has been in the art of Female Impersonation for 21 years. A native of Chicago IL, she currently resides in Tampa, FL and has 18 accredited pageantry titles including 2 national titles that she uniquely conquered within the same year; an achievement that is very rarely seen in the industry.

Delores is also known as “The Patti Labelle Illusionist of the Century” and with great reason.

Sporting 3 college degrees, she is currently working towards her PhD which would make her the 1st transgender African-American woman in history to receive one.
Delores is writing a tell all novel about the life of a transgender woman and entertainer, in hopes to educate the community on what this lifestyle is all about; and it’s not a Drag Race.
She lives by the philosophy: Never dim your own light to let someone else shine and if you can’t be the table cloth, then don’t be the dish rag.

In a wonderful interview for iamstevenmichael.com, Deloris gets specific and personal ~

The biggest misconception is that all of us are “working girls” or in “customer service.” That really bothers me to the point of sadness. I don’t knock people for what they do, but I have always believed in doing things different for me. As far as pageants go… They are all not fixed. Just because you don’t win doesn’t mean it was set up for the other girl. Just bring a better package, that’s all. About me? I’m not as head strong as people think I am. I have my moments of weakness too; I cry and I’m human. I don’t sit in my room at night with a knife at my wrist screaming TAKE ME NOW! (laughing) But I get sad too. I just tend not to show it to the public. That’s what keeps me humble is knowing that I am not perfect. 

I never really was a “partier” so to speak. I don’t feel pressure at all because I have always been my own person for the most part and things like that if I don’t want to do it then I don’t. My persona is very reserved and relaxed. After the show is over, there is life after the stage so I don’t feel a need to be out all night. However, I am human and I will enjoy the occasional cocktail or two while dancing and having a good time. But I like my quiet life and who I am outside of public eyes.  (THIS IS DELORES T. VAN CARTIER, Interview by Steven Michael, 2012/05/30)

We are so lucky to have Delores T. Van-Cartier with us for "Art is a Drag" on March 19 (6-9pm) in historic downtown Sanford, Florida.

Eleanora Diamond is in the Haus

The great Eleanora Diamond will be the hostess-with-the-mostest at Hollerbach's Art Haus during the "Art is a Drag" special event on March 19 in historic, downtown Sanford, Florida.

Eleanora Diamond returns to Sanford after her debut appearance in the Alive After 5 Pardi Gras Parade. She was such a gem that we had to have more! She's back as a featured hostess for the Art Walk portion and a performer at Neptune's Drag Extravaganza and After-Party!

In her own words . . . Introducing Eleanora Diamond! 

My name is Eleanora Diamond, Im 27 years old and 3 years young in drag and I am probably the dumbest smart girl you will ever meet.

I'm a stunningly beautiful comedic club kid diva in the making. I strive to be the absolute best in everything I do and make. 

I am originally from Southern California where everyone drives over 100 in neighborhoods and suntans are 100% fake. 

As an artist I want to show the world all the different sides of drag, because we know there is about 52 and a half. 

'Drag' to me was never and will never be about the money. It is about the art, the fans, the first impressions and the last looks. 

Like a Diamond I shine bright with glam and elegance and I come in many shapes and sizes and my legacy will last a life time.

Eleanora is truly a drag artist. We are lucky to experience her in this phase of her career . . . because we predict her star is rising!

Yvette Waters' artistic-eye is the Gold-Standard in event photography

 . . . and we are setting her loose on March 19 to capture the story of "Art is a Drag"

There is a good reason for why Yvette Waters has become the go-to photographer for the avant-garde.
Artists are fickle when it comes to their art. An artist needs another artist taking photographs of their work. They need someone who can see the intention underneath, the invisible force that drives the artist to create and exhibit. They need a photographer that understands the struggle of the creative process - the agony and the ecstasy. Waters captures that artistic intention in her photography. She captures the 'tenor and tone' of the execution of the artists creativity and the discipline in craftsmanship.

Yvette Waters is recognized by the arts community as another artist. She has a reputation for producing expertly-crafted compositions that incorporate a deft blend of the elements of design - this alone would make an Yvette Waters' photograph of a bowl of fruit worthy of exhibition. Add Waters own artistry, her talent for exposing the edge of edginess with sophistication, and it's the perfect storm.

As an event photographer Waters employs a kind of classic photojournalistic approach with the discernment of modernism, a narrative with rhythm and syncopation akin to jazz.
Because artists have a kind of radar for other artists, Yvette Waters aesthetic and process are immediately appealing and the perfect final ingredient for a project. Ms. Waters understands the collaborative nature of  what she does and takes the responsibility seriously.
She knows that her art becomes part of her clients art, and visa versa.

The Yvette Waters 'Arts & Entertainment' photo gallery is a growing collection of Central Florida's alternative artists and performers, some of the most relevant Neo-iconoclasts in the region ~

• Orlando International Fringe Festival
• VarieTease
• The Venue Burlesque
• Big Bang boom
• Blue Starr
• Chateau Devoid
• Tweeka's Birthday & Miss Comedy Queen Holiday Special
• Orlando Pride

The "Art is a Drag" event is delighted to have Ms. Waters' eye capturing the art, the performance and the drag of the evening. J. Lindquist, Art is a Drag, 2/18/2016

Meet the Jury

Introducing the jury panel for the signature "Art is a Drag" exhibit produced by the resident artists of Gallery On First.

The resident artists of the Gallery On First have created new pieces based on the theme "Art is a Drag" for the special Art Walk event happening in downtown Sanford on March 19, 2016, 6-9pm.

A "Best of Show" award  will be selected based on the results of voting by a panel of expert jurors.

Meet the jury ~

Lael DeWahl has had an extensive career as a Fine Art specialist in a variety of capacities over the years. 

She provides art concierge services for collectors and design professionals for LWVC. She also curates the collections and exhibitions at the Winter Park Grace Gallery and the new Art Gallery at Mills Park.

Lael DeWahl brings fine art expertise to everything she does.

Roland Pasqual Rockwood 

During the 1980s, Roland was part of the Graffiti revolution where subway trains and walls were his expressive canvas. Although Roland has studied the anatomical figure, he has always been inspired by abstract expressionism and all avant-garde media. Roland's inspiration comes from big city culture, gothic and contemporary architecture, industrial design and the many visits to museums and galleries around the world. Drawing human anatomy at an early age, he went on to study figure drawing at the National Academy Museum & School in New York (www.nationalacademy.org) under the renowned art instructor and author Terence Cole, who is now teaching at the Art Students League in New York. 

Now living in Florida, Roland progressed on to creating abstract and figurative abstract paintings. He is continually brainstorming on innovative concepts, such as cryptic forms of dialogue in his paintings only known to him and inquiring minds.

Will Benton is an artist and the Executive Director of FAVO (Faith Arts Village Orlando). Will is also a professional classical pianist, organist and vocalist.

Megan Paquette Stepe

I live and breathe art-- an artist, conservator, historian and non-profit admin; always striving to improve the cultural well-being of our community (The Everett Spruill Foundation for the Arts) 

Ms. Stepe is not only an artist herself, she is also the Gallery Curator & Art History Professor, Seminole State College of Florida.

• Master of Arts (MA) in Art History, Theory & Critique from Florida State University
• Bachelor of Arts (BA), Art with concentration in Art History and Minor Anthropology from the University of Central Florida
• Painting Conservation with the Pruet Conservation Studio

Vickie Wilson is a brilliant artist who can best be described in her own words ~

Take a Matisse loving, third generation abstract painter birthed on the likes of De Kooning and Pollack, subject her to 18 years of watching graffiti covered subway trains, blurs of color, screeching brakes, just pure raw emotion. Add some Keith Haring, Studio 54, punk rock and just plain life in the fast lane. Now those memories can be transformed, by searching for a personal language in art. 

Vickie Wilson regularly exhibits at the  O Gallery @ The City Arts Factory and with First-Thursdays at the Orlando Museum of Art. She currently has  several paintings at the Aloft Hotel gallery, four of which are collaboration pieces with Neosole. She has work in the Orlando Museum of Art gift shop and is represented by the JF Gallery in West Palm Beach.

Charley Williams is a native Floridian and has been a Central Florida/Winter Park resident since 1990. Williams is a proud patron of Gallery on First and has known owner Jeanine Taylor since her store first opened in Winter Park. He is a frequent traveler to the annual Ruby Williams’ Folk Art Anniversary event in Bealsville, Fl. (Plant City) and counts Ruby as his “cousin”. Williams’ interest in traditional southern folk art has resulted in a substantial collection with contributions to exhibits at the Orlando Mennello Museum of American Art and compilations on Florida’s Highwaymen artists. Recent travels have taken him on three separate trips to Havana, including this year’s Art Bienniel. (Twitter: @537votes)

We are honored to have the participation of this distinguished panel of jurors for the Gallery On First "Art is a Drag" exhibit.

Gabbi Haze in "Art is a Drag"

Welcome Gabbi Haze to Sanford's ground-breaking arts event

Gabbi began performing in Gainesville Florida in 1989. She resides In Ormond Beach, Florida, where she has a headlining career, regularly performing in a variety of venues throughout Central Florida.

Gabbi was the show director and performer at Rumours bar, Streamline Hotel and Garbo's lounge. She was also Miss Daytona Beach Gay Pride 2005.

Visit with Gabbi during "Art is a Drag" at Little Fish Huge Pond from 6-9pm, on March 19.

See Gabbi perform in ...

John Sullivan's digitally painted photographs in "Art is a Drag"

The art of John Sullivan in "Art is a Drag" 

John Sullivan is a recent addition to the roster of resident artists at the Gallery On First in Sanford's historic arts district. His work and his activism for arts advocacy have made him an invaluable addition to the GoFi family.

John is a self-taught digital artist and photographer. He developedhisy eye and techniques over a 25 year career as a Landscape Architect. He was always searching for photographs to explain themes and ideas to clients, but became frustrated with using other people’s images. "They never really captured the right feeling, color, texture or form I wished to convey. So, I picked up a camera and began taking my own pictures."

On March 19, between 6-9:00pm, you can see his original piece "Paso Doble" as part of the signature "Art is a Drag" exhibit at the Gallery On First.

Paso Doble, print on canvas, 40 x 40"

John explains the inspiration to this piece as a celebration of the “Diversity” of the Central Florida 

community through the art of Drag. This work depicts Ms. Shantel D’Marco’s performance at the 2014 “Dancing With The Queens” charity event benefiting the Hope & Help Center, Central Florida’s HIV/AIDS charity organization.

Artist Biography:John is an Orlando resident of 25 years where he practiced Landscape Architecture, specializing in Theme Park and Resort design. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico he attended Oklahoma State University and obtain degrees in Forestry & Wildlife Management as well as Landscape Architecture & Horticulture.
His love and fascination with nature started at an early age and was further encouraged by his adoptive parents while working on their ranch in eastern Oklahoma

Visit John and "Paso Doble" at the Gallery On First, 211 East 1st Street, Sanford, Florida

True 'Essence' of Art

One of Orlando's favorite Drag Queens knows how to 'werk' a gallery . . . lucky for the Gallery On First!

~ Essence T. Van Cartier ~

Essence T. Van Cartier is a talented entertainer, chef, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Originally from Wichita, Kansas, she has been residing in Orlando for the past 11 years. 

Essence has an array of performance experience and accomplishments, like winning 1st Alternate to Miss Gay Florida America in both 2012 & 2013 for example. She is regularly featured in venues like the New Phoenix in Winter Park and Pulse in Orlando. 

A true artist, Essence is always looking for new innovative ways to showcase her talent. "Art is a Drag" is one of those unique opportunities

Essence is also a certified Cullinarian and has been a Chef at Disney for the past 11 years.

She is the Founder/ CEO of an event planning and catering services company called “It’s My Party”. She also founded a non- profit group home/independent living facility for LGBTQ youth called “House of Blessence”

The Gallery On First is please to have Essence T. Van Cartier with us on March 19, 6-9pm.

"Art is a Drag" makes history with Rusti Fawcett

. . . Really Rusti Fawcett is bringing history to "Art is a Drag"

"Art is a Drag" is a unique Sanford Art Walk that explores the intersection of visual art & the art of drag. The event-blueprint  has been designed to deliver rich content in engaging ways, while simultaneously presenting a spirited and edgy genre from the perspective of the creative process, the art of it all.

A primary component of the event is the featured Drag Queens that hostess the official art walk galleries and venues. We have been fortunate enough to have booked Rusti Fawcett as the Grande Dame of the Historic Sanford Welcome Center for the evening. 

RUSTI has led a distinguished 40-year career in entertainment and is still going strong. He began as one of the original Footlight Players at the world famous Parliament House where he was on cast from 1975 -1990. He has entertained in most of the U S and several European countries.

A former Miss Orlando, Miss Daytona, and Miss Zodiac ~ Rusti is included in Todd Kachinski Kottmeier's  number one compilation resource Drag411's Official Drag Handbook (Publisher: lulu.com, 2014)

Rusti's experience as a headlining performer provides a valuable insight on the art of Drag and what it takes to create a persona that is authentic and an act that is consistently entertaining. His exposure to 1000's of other performers over the years also add to his wealth of knowledge of the craft - having seen long-standing careers, like his own, command top-billing and respect from both audiences and peers, as well as witnessing the turn-over of flash-in-the-pan Queens.

Rusti knows what works and what doesn't. He has seen the changing trends and genres in Drag over the past 4 decades as fashion, music, pop-culture and the political environment have influenced the creative process of drag artists.

Rusti now resides in Ocala, Florida and continues to act and do stand up comedy.

"Art is a Drag" is fortunate to have Rusti Fawcett be a part of it's maiden voyage. 

Come visit with Rusti Fawcett at the Welcome Center on Saturday, March 19, 6-9pm.