Unity at the Initiative

Unity at the Initiative is a multi-site multimedia visual exhibition and in-home experience centered on the work of artist and skater Jeffrey Cheung and their UNITY initiative out of Oakland CA. Unity at the Initiative was envisioned as a means to increase representation of Queer and Trans artists of color; to embellish the gathering spaces of queer folks--community centers, city parks, art galleries--with more diverse representations of queer and trans bodies.

In light of the Pandemic and in response to the nation’s reckoning with racial equity, Cheung and Asian Arts Initiative have re-imagined the project as a pathway to the artistic integrity and freedom of queer and trans Philadelphians of color. Unity at the Initiative endeavors to protect continuity for a creative sector whose “2020 troubles” are compounded by under-representation and outright injustices.

The project begins with an iterative capsule exhibition, "Unity Within the Initiative," on view now at Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia PA 19107), serving as a studio replica of Unity's Oakland print studio. Those interested can swing by 24/7 to view the diorama-like exhibit from the Pearl Street gallery.

Queer and Trans, LGBTQ+ identified artists and creatives are invited to contribute to "Unity Within the Initiative," with their own prints and flyers.

Major support for Unity at the Initiative has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.