MoDRAG (The Museum of Drag) Opens in NYC
MoDRAG (The Museum of Drag) is thrilled to announce its inaugural exhibition, a vibrant celebration of the past, present, and future of drag. Taking place from June 7 to July 2, this groundbreaking event will be held at the Brick Aux Gallery, located at 628 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Drag is an art form currently captivating our country. In recent years there has been an explosive interest in drag both in and outside the LGBTQ community, from audiences eager to learn about and appreciate this art form, as well as the growth of virulent anti-LGBT sentiment in the forms of protests and transphobic anti-drag legislature. MoDRAG captures these contradictions through captivating multimedia exhibitions from around the world. In addition to its extensive showcase, the museum will offer a fabulous gift shop, ensuring visitors can take home a piece of drag culture. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with drag herstorians through weekly guest lectures and performances, enriching their understanding of this vibrant art form.
Admission to the museum and its special events is by suggested donation, making MoDRAG accessible to all individuals, regardless of their financial means. The museum firmly believes in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment, where nobody will ever be turned away due to lack of funds.
The inaugural exhibition will feature a diverse range of topics, providing an immersive experience that explores various aspects of drag. Visitors will have the opportunity to delve into the life and impact of drag pioneer William Dorsey Swann, witness Jude Vadée’s striking photography of Berlin’s Drag Kings exhibition, discover the History of Drag Bans, and delve into the rich cultural exchange between Mae West and drag, and more.
As part of the exhibition, MoDRAG will host a series of weekly lectures/performances by renowned drag artists, offering attendees the chance to gain insights directly from the performers themselves. The lectures will cover a wide range of topics, shedding light on the artistic and cultural significance of drag throughout history.
Local Representation
The curation team included Dmitri Barcomi, AJ Dresdale, Louison Jenkins, DeVante Lewis, Seth Majnoon, Nancy Nogood, Noah Pyzik, and Gina Tonic.
Dmitri Barcomi (Co-Founder/Artistic Director) (he/him) is a theater artist, musician, and drag demon from New York City. His artistic interests include creating theater from unusual source materials, integrating technology and live performance, and honoring queer icons. Dmitri’s theater work has been seen throughout New York at Target Margin, Ars Nova, HERE Arts, La MaMa, BRIC, and other hubs of experimental new work, as well as internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Teatr Słowackiego in Kraków. Dmitri is co-founder of award-winning international artist collective §175, and a proud child of the Haus of Nogood. BA: The New School, MFA Candidate, Columbia University. mxbarcomi.com | @dmxbarcomi
Gina Tonic (Curator, Lecturer) is a New York-based drag artist who has appeared in In The Know’s Behind The Drag series, Bros and Katy Keene. Onstage, she was most recently seen in Peter Pansexual with NYC Panto, as well as headlining drag shows nationwide. She shares her passion for the history of drag and lgbtq activism through story and song on tik tok and instagram, which can be found at @ginatonicnyc
DeVante Lewis (Curator, Lecturer); theater artist. non-binary dolly. aspiring superhero. lover. Virginia NoGood Slim.
Louison Jenkins (Curator) is a curator and drag artist based in Berlin. Passionate about queer art and history, he wants to show the world the wonderful work of Berlin’s drag Kings, Quings and Creatures.
FEATURING THE WORK OF:
Jude Vadée (Photographer, Venus Boys: Drag Kings of Berlin) is a French photographer and visual artist born in 1996 and based in Berlin. His images, raw and intimate, explore notions of gender and sexuality, identity and performance, intimacy and relationships. Questions around queer archives are central to his work. He has been documenting the performances of the Berlin drag collective Venus Boys for two years, and collecting portraits of lgbtq+ individuals since the start of their photography practice, making his work a celebration of queer people. Insta: @judevadee
Stay up-to-date with MoDRAG’s latest news and engaging content by following @MuseumOfDrag on Instagram.
Museum Hours:
Thursday and Friday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Additional hours are available by appointment.
Museum admission is by suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds.
Event Dates
(6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, weekly):
Saturday, June 10: Lecture/performance by drag artist/activist Emi Grate and opening reception
Tuesday, June 13: Event details to be announced
Saturday, June 24: Lecture/performance by drag artists and theatermakers Nancy Nogood & Dmitri Barcomi
Friday, June 30: Lecture/performance by drag historians DeVante Lewis & Gina Tonic, followed by the closing party
Event tickets are pay-what-you-can; no one turned away for lack of funds.
About MoDRAG:
MoDRAG (The Museum of Drag) is a pioneering institution dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and advancing drag artistry. Through its compelling exhibitions, educational programs, and engaging events, The Museum of Drag aims to foster an appreciation for drag’s historical and cultural significance while supporting and empowering drag artists worldwide.
Follow MoDRAG on social media:
Instagram: @MuseumOfDrag