Ivete Vaz de Castro Martinez

“The Gaucho”

Ivete Vaz de Castro Martinez, a visual artist and the executive director and founder of the Med City Art Festival in Rochester, MN, brings us “The Gaucho." This exhibit celebrates a rich cultural heritage shaped by the landscapes across five countries – Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and southern Bolivia – and by two languages – Portuguese and Spanish. Born in Uruguay and raised in Brazil, Ivete Vaz has a profound connection to Gaucho culture, which is beautifully reflected in her artwork. 

Morgan Converse

“Queer Joy Project”

Converse Candids Photography LLC is owned by Morgan Converse (she/her), a body-positive LGBTQIA+ photographer based in Austin. While photography is my medium, self-love is my passion. My work is centered around helping people rediscover their spark - that raw, beautiful magic often buried beneath hurt, expectations, and self-doubt. Through empowerment and boudoir sessions, I create space for people to see themselves differently, sometimes for the first time in years. The Queer Joy Project was created as an extension of these empowerment sessions, to celebrate LGBTQIA+ humans exactly as they are: joyful, authentic, visible, and worthy of taking up space.  At a time when the world continues trying to erase queer people, this project stands as a reminder that we have always been here, we are everywhere, and we cannot be erased.

This project is deeply personal to me and connected to my work with Austin MN Pride. 

All funds raised through this gallery will be donated directly back to the organization in support of our local LGBTQIA+ community.