National Arts Club Puts A Spotlight On Pride With New Exhibition

Featured Image: ‘Gina Germaine, Christina Piaget, and Christie Hill at Sally’s II’ (1994) by Brian Lantelme

Amongst pre-war buildings, tree-lined streets, and the elusive Gramercy Park lies the National Arts Club (NAC). Founded by art and literary critic Charles DeKay, the nonprofit has continued its mission since 1898 to “stimulate, foster, and promote public interest in the arts and to educate all people in the fine arts.” On June 4, the NAC kicked off Pride with the works of groundbreaking queer artists in its annual Pride Month show, Identity – Held in the Light.

Free and open to the public, this Gramercy Park jewel is well worth the visit! Robert Yahner, NAC’s curator and registrar since 1995, says, “The 2025 theme, Identity – Held in the Light, celebrates and honors artists whose vision, courage and impact continue to strengthen and define the LGBTQ+ community’s presence as well as offering enlightenment to its longstanding contributions to cultural, political and public life. Above all, the exhibition offers the viewer moments of universal dreams, desires and fun.” 

Party in the vibrant, funky doodles of Keith Haring. Get lost in the mysterious, dark, and eerie photographs of Pia Paulina Guilmoth. Spot some iconic queer figures in the works of Brian Lantelme, who documented drag and transgender life in Times Square during the 1990s. Or let yourself get carried into the mind of Amanda Ba, where her vivid paintings intersect personal memory with psychosexual fantasy.

The exhibition features the works of Amanda Ba, Drake Carr, Walter Cessna, Lola Flash, Pia Paulina Guilmoth, Martine Gutierrez, Keith Haring, Peter Hujar, Yuki James, Brian Kenny, Clifford Prince King, Brian Lantelme, Duane Michals, Pierre Molinier, Gio Black Peter, Carlos Rodriguez, Blake Sterling, and Jimmy Wright.

Identity – Held in the Light is on view in the Grand Gallery at 15 Gramercy Park South until June 26, 2025. Find more information at nacnyc.org.