This free art-making workshop invites trans and gender-expansive individuals and allies to participate in a creative and affirming portrait-making session using linoleum block printing. Created by Veronica Ceci and presented in collaboration with Thee Gay Agenda (TGA), this project centers our stories, our images, and our shared strength — one portrait at a time.

No experience is required and all materials are provided. Each art-making session will be led by Veronica Ceci, with support from assistants. Over the course of approximately two hours, participants will be guided through the creation of a carved linoblock portrait. You’ll have the option to depict someone from a curated list of trans and gender-expansive (TGE) community figures, or to work from your own image of a TGE person who is meaningful to you*

Details:
Session Dates:
Wednesday, August 6th, 6–8 PM
Icosa Collective Gallery
916 Springdale Dr, Suite 102, Austin, TX 78702
(In Canopy, across from Sei Tan)

Saturday, August 9th, 6–8 PM
MASKED SESSION sponsored by Clear the Air
The Self Help Advocacy Center
3205 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

Saturday, August 16th, 4–6 PM
Central Market North Lamar Community Room
(In the vestibule at the north entrance near produce)
4001 N Lamar, Austin, TX 78756

This activity is for adults only (18+), due to the use of sharp carving tools. Registration is required in advance due to limited space. 

The act of creating these portraits is more than a fun, accessible art activity — it is a powerful gesture of visibility and collective memory. We are documenting our existence and honoring one another as individuals who are often left out of official archives and dominant narratives. Whether highly visible or quietly powerful, every participant contributes to a broader picture of who we are as a community.

Each participant will create one portrait block and may pull multiple prints during the session. While prints can be taken home, the carved blocks will remain with Veronica Ceci and will become part of a large-scale artwork to be displayed at TGA’s Thee Cuntry Fair on October 4th and 5th at The Museum of Human Achievement. In addition, a print from each portrait will be donated to the Austin History Center, joining an ongoing archive of Ceci’s community visibility projects.

We strongly encourage trans and gender-expansive individuals to attend — especially those who may not often find themselves in the spotlight. This project is about celebrating the everyday brilliance in our community. Not only those who are public figures, activists, artists, or performers — but also those who live quieter lives, who care for others, who build community in private and essential ways.

*We ask that if you choose to bring your own image, the person you portray identifies as trans or gender-expansive. This project is intended to build a portrait archive that reflects and uplifts our community. In addition, since this is an ongoing project with many portraits already created, we kindly encourage participants to focus on lesser-known individuals — such as yourself, someone you know personally, or someone whose contributions may not be widely recognized. While portraits of well-known figures are appreciated, we aim to amplify the stories that might otherwise be overlooked.

If you choose to bring your own image, we recommend bringing a printed, black and white 4x4" photo of the person's face. You can still participate without it, but having this on hand will make the process much easier and faster.

There is no fee to attend. Come with a friend, come as you are, and leave your mark.

Please only register for one session to ensure that we can serve as many people as possible. By registering, participants agree to:

• Have their work included in the final gallery installation, the archives at the Austin History Center, and future community art projects.

• Leave the carved block, even if it is unfinished, with Veronica Ceci.

• Be photographed during the event for promotional and archival use by TGA and Veronica Ceci. [Please talk to an organizer if you would not like to be photographed – we are happy to accommodate.]