The Tom of Finland Art & Culture Festival 2023 – GlobalSexual is set to make waves in the art world, with events planned in Berlin, London, and Los Angeles. This annual gathering, spearheaded by the Tom of Finland Foundation, will be returning to its home city of Los Angeles and will open its doors to the public on October 7th from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and on October 8th from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A special press preview is scheduled for 10:00 am on the opening day.
S.R. Sharp, the Foundation’s CXO, expressed enthusiasm about the Los Angeles leg of the festival, stating, “We are delighted to bring the Festival back to Los Angeles where, for some reason, the stars just seem to shine brighter.”
The festival serves as the foundation’s annual initiative to create a convivial environment where artists, galleries, and patrons can network, as well as buy and sell artworks. Richard Villani, Festival Lead and Foundation Creative Director, articulated the broader aim of the festival: “My goal with the Art & Culture Festival is to pave the way for the next generation of Queer and erotic artists, while expanding to more cities and communities globally.”
This year, Soho Warehouse, located in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, will host the flagship event. The venue, a transformed storage facility that once served as a recording studio, is collaborating with the Tom of Finland Foundation for the first time.
The festival promises an eclectic mix of participants, including erotic artists, panelists, DJs, and galleries. Artists like Adam Dalton Blake, Brandon & Mati, Nick Burger, and many others will be showcasing their works. Additionally, Tom of Finland Presents will feature works by artists such as Marc DeBauch, Marc Martin, and Sal Salandra. Unique gallery displays from Lethal Amounts, Rubén Esparza, and S.M. Shifflett will also be on view, along with vendors like Bathhouse Mystic and Folklore Salon & Barber.
The event’s schedule is packed with diverse programming. Highlights include life drawing sessions led by Miguel Angel Reyes and a variety of panels and presentations featuring notable figures in the art and LGBTQ+ communities.
