Totnes Pride is excited to announce Queer Joy, an open call exhibition showcasing work by 18 LGBTQAI+ artists with a connection to South Devon:

Nicole Abetz-Webb, Francesca Allan, Joe Baker, Spike Barwis, Ruby Bradshaw, Leo Brady, Ju Claxton, Lu Firth, Emily Grace, Sadie Lee, Rebecca Mills, Trevor Newton, Charlie Rollo-Walker, Mich Sanderson, Kris Stapleton, Becky Steed, Devon Tipping and Kilara Uludağ.

 The exhibition brings together a vibrant and varied selection of work exploring the many different interpretations, practices and media inspired by the theme of Queer Joy. The curators of the exhibition, explain: “The diversity of responses is a beautiful reflection of the richness of queer experience.”

Painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, ceramics, film and print come together to explore feelings of comfort, pain, place, identity and belonging. Spike Barwis, a graduate artist, explores the queer domestic scene, challenging heteronormative ideas of life as a same-sex couple. Photographer Kris Stapleton explores queer intimacy, tenderness and connection with the South Devon landscape, while Francesca Allan’s Dysphoria to Euphoria offers a powerful expression of the freedom and joy found in transitioning later in life.

The exhibition also features acclaimed figurative painter Sadie Lee, whose distinguished career has included portraits of Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell, alternative-comedy artist David Hoyle and Warhol superstar Holly Woodlawn. For Queer Joy, Lee presents a self-portrait exploring gender, identity and the aging body through make-up, facial hair, wigs and costume – part painting, part record of an embodied performance.

Queer Joy has been curated by Sadie Lee and South Devon-based curator Nikki Elphinstone, with the support of a team of volunteers. Together, they have brought artists at different stages of their careers into conversation through an exhibition that celebrates the breadth of queer creative expression.

Selected works will be shown at The Angel Space, Totnes, from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September 2026. Space in the gallery is limited, so we won't be able to show every submission in person — but every artist who submits will be featured in a virtual exhibition here on the Totnes Pride website, building a lasting, growing gallery of LGBTQIA+ art from across the region.

The Opening Event/ Private view is at 19.00 - 21.00 on the 24/9/26 - this is free but pre booking essential. There is also an Artist’s Talk on Sunday 26th September at the gallery