Words of Pride: Artwork Finds a Permanent Home

By Patric Stillman

December 14 • 2–5 PM
North County LGBTQ Resource Center

As the holiday season invites reflection and community, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center is marking the moment with a special event to showcase its campus and reveal an expanded artistic collaboration with The Studio Door on December 14.

This fall, the Center stepped forward to offer a permanent home for Words of Pride, a three-panel mural featuring contributions from more than 30 LGBTQ artists. The project originated at The Studio Door, inspired by conversations within the Mayor’s GLBTQ Task Force about visibility, representation, and creative community-building. First unveiled during the VIP reception for the national exhibition PROUD+ last Pride season, the goal from the start was to place the mural in a public space where it could serve the broader community.

The Studio Door explored nonprofits, government buildings, and community venues in search of the right home. When Executive Director Max Disposti saw the panels installed at the gallery, he immediately recognized their potential impact and inquired about bringing them to the Center. The timing was ideal: with the Center’s recent building purchase and its long-term vision for growth, hosting the artwork became a meaningful first step in elevating the organization’s creative and cultural presence.

For years, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center has served as a vital anchor for the region, offering support services, youth programs, advocacy, and a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ individuals and their families. It is fitting that this community-generated artwork now lives in a place shaped by visibility, care, and collective resilience.

The project began when 30 LGBTQ artists were each asked to paint upon a single defining word that, when placed together, evolved into a bold visual chorus. The mural-sized artwork stands as a time capsule of our community’s artistic expression, a vivid record of queer creativity in this moment.

As the collaboration between the Center and The Studio Door deepened, the project expanded to welcome additional voices. Joining the original contributors are ten more local LGBTQ artists: Lou Callies, Greg Richardson, Mauricio Hernandez, Jeanne Ortiz, Carole Kuck, Danny Warhole, Milo Salinger, Xyryl Clark, Tommy Diethert, and Patrick N. Brown. Together, they have created a fourth Words of Pride panel, adding fresh layers of meaning and expanding the project’s scope.

The unveiling of the complete collection for the very first time will take place at 3 PM, offering visitors the opportunity to experience both the original panels and the expanded work as a unified whole.

Guests are invited to meet the artists, explore the Center, and share in a celebration of the stories and creative spirit that continue to shape our community.

Open to all • Free to attend