If there is anything that can best describe the importance of having a show like Artspace Macon’s “Rainbow Show” during Pride Month, it’s the number of people that showed up to its opening reception, coming together as a community to support and embrace local, queer art. “Rainbow Show”—a group exhibition organized by Artspace Macon and 478 Creatives—celebrates community, identity, and creative expression with works from over 120 LGBTQIA+ artists and allies across Middle Georgia, resulting in a powerful and colorful collection of art that shares the same message: “I am here and I belong here.”
In recent times of isolation and feeling disconnected from others, having a show that not only celebrates unity but encourages its community to come together and celebrate is important. And that’s exactly what Artspace Macon and 478 Creatives intended.
“We wanted to create a show that was accessible, joyful, and deeply rooted in community,” says Erin Hawkins of 478 Creatives. “Each piece would represent a single color, but together they’d form a rainbow—a literal and symbolic representation of unity, identity, and creative expression.”
“There’s something powerful about inviting people to create within a simple framework, like choosing one color,” says Cara Heard of 478 Creatives. “It gave space for artists to reflect on their own identity or the spirit of Pride, without pressure. The result is this beautiful spectrum of voices—playful, emotional, bold, and deeply personal. It’s a love letter to Macon’s creative and LGBTQIA+ communities.”
And what a beautiful spectrum of voices it is. Upon walking inside Artspace Macon, you are immediately surrounded by color. The pieces are grouped off into different colors of the rainbow, allowing you to move throughout the gallery along the spectrum. As you walk, you pass works of varying mediums, from paintings and mixed media to sculpture and fabric. All of them visually different, but all sharing similar stories of identity and belonging.
Says Casie Trace of Artspace Macon: “The idea of working with a single color felt like a fun and powerful way to explore emotion, creativity, and individuality. At ArtSpace, we love playing with color & bringing people together in our space—and this show does exactly that.”
Macon could not have been a more perfect city to showcase an exhibition that celebrates identity and community. With such a vibrant and extensive art community located in the heart of downtown, the city’s fringes, and everywhere in between, you can see the unabashed passion that each artist has for their craft in every piece displayed in “Rainbow Show”.
Says Hawkins: “Macon’s art scene is incredibly layered—we have artists from every walk of life, and more and more folks are using their work to speak truth, celebrate diversity, and challenge the status quo. Pride and identity are at the heart of that. Art gives people a way to be seen and heard, sometimes in ways words can’t quite capture.”
Now more than ever, it’s important to voice ourselves and let others know that we belong and deserve to be heard. No matter how you choose to express yourself—whether it’s through art, writing, making music, or just existing—everyone deserves to have a voice, and “Rainbow Show” allows those without a voice to come together as one to create one loud, resounding voice that says, “I belong.”
For a glimpse of the pride and passion of Macon’s art community, you can check out “Rainbow Show” from June 20 to July 18.
What’s next for 478 Creatives and ArtSpace Macon?
478 Creatives is working on a new group art show in the fall with Tanglewood Art Studios, in collaboration with Macon Rising. In 478 Creatives’ own words: “If The Rainbow Show spoke to you, this next one will too—it’s another chance for creatives to use their voice, this time through a politically themed lens. Stay tuned!” They will also be partnering with Macon Film Festival in August, so keep an eye out on how you can get involved!
ArtSpace Macon will be holding their 2nd Annual Pride Art Night this Friday, June 27, from 6-8 pm. It’s $25 to join, and all proceeds will go towards Pride Hive to support inclusive programs like game nights and community socials. Speaking of Pride Hive, their Game Nights are every third Monday of the month, with their upcoming Game Night kicking off on Monday, July 21 from 6-8 pm. If you’re more of an outdoorsy person, you can also join ArtSpace Macon and Southern Queer Folk Hikes for their upcoming Art Hike on Friday, July 12 at 8 am at the Wesleyan Arboretum. This hike’s theme is “Nature Journaling,” so be sure to bring a journal or sketchbook with you!
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish