Queens: The Art of Drag & NYC celebrates drag as one of the most dynamic, political, and imaginative art forms of our time. Through photography, portraiture, costume, video, installation, and performance ephemera, the exhibition highlights the craft, discipline, and creative labor behind the art of transformation.
Rooted in a lineage deeply intertwined with New York City’s cultural history, the exhibition honors drag’s evolution across queer nightlife, ballroom houses, cabaret stages, underground clubs, and activist movements. From Harlem’s pioneering drag balls of the early 20th century to the queer liberation movements of Greenwich Village, and from the legendary clubs of the East Village to the Brooklyn spaces continuing to shape global drag aesthetics, New York has long served as a crucible for drag innovation. Its artists, houses, and communities have defined styles, sparked revolutions, and demonstrated the power of drag as both resistance and reinvention.
Featuring artists and performers whose work expands the boundaries of gender expression, beauty, and identity, Queens: The Art of Drag & NYC invites audiences to consider drag not only as entertainment, but as a deeply intentional practice of storytelling, self-making, and community-building. At a moment when drag is both increasingly visible and increasingly legislated against, the exhibition asserts drag’s rightful place in contemporary art while celebrating New York City’s essential role in cultivating its brilliance, resilience, and radical imagination.
TENz had the opportunity to speak with the exhibition’s curators, Parker Phillips and Tess Howsam, about the vision behind Queens: The Art of Drag & NYC, the importance of documenting drag as a living art form, and the role New York City continues to play in shaping queer performance, nightlife, and cultural imagination.
What inspired the creation of Queens: The Art of Drag & NYC, and why did this feel like the right moment for the exhibition?
Howsam “Full transparency I had been wanting to collaborate with Parker since I met him at Culture Lab LIC a few years ago. He is the kind of artist that you just know you want to create with. So when my then June collaboration for the 2026 season had to reschedule I excitedly reached out to Parker and asked if he would be interested in joining the exhibition committee for an exhibition that celebrated the artistry of drag. Spoiler, he said yes and later became my co-curator!
We have seen for many years the public sensation that is costume and designer exhibitions be it the current Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses at the Brooklyn Museum or the 2011 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, which truly became a cultural phenomenon. Art institutions have long recognized fashion and costume as serious artistic disciplines.
That’s why it feels surprising that we haven’t seen more exhibitions dedicated to the incredible artistic work created for and by drag performers. I mean, these are garments that not only turn heads on the runway, but these are pieces of art that transform mid-dance! The multifaceted layers of the artistry of drag deserve institutional attention.
This exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate not only the performers, but also the designers, photographers, makeup artists, wig makers, and countless collaborators whose artistry makes drag possible. It feels especially important given our political climate to recognize this work for what it is: a vital and influential art form. I’m honored that Culture Lab LIC can be the space that gives these artists their roses and celebrates their extraordinary contributions to our cultural landscape.”
Phillips: “Drag queens were the first artists to truly give me a stage. Long before I was producing events, curating exhibitions, or preparing to release my own music, it was drag performers who welcomed me into creative spaces and encouraged me to share my voice with the world. They taught me the power of confidence, authenticity, and community—and as any fan of drag knows, they helped bring out the Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent in me.
When I received the opportunity to co-curate Queens: The Art of Drag & NYC, I couldn’t respond fast enough. For years, I had hoped to collaborate not only with Culture Lab LIC, but with Artistic Director Tess Howsam, whose commitment to accessible and community-driven arts has made Culture Lab one of New York City’s most exciting creative spaces today. In fact, Culture Lab was one of the reasons I chose to move just a few blocks away in Long Island City. I saw an organization that shared my belief that art should be for everyone and that self-expression has the power to transform communities.
As part of developing the exhibition, Tess and I attended the Glam Awards, where we had the opportunity to witness firsthand the artistry, innovation, and impact of some of the most celebrated performers and creators in the community. Experiencing that energy in real time reinforced the importance of preserving and celebrating drag’s legacy while showcasing where the art form is headed next.
This exhibition arrives at a particularly meaningful moment. Drag has always been more than entertainment—it is fashion, performance art, activism, storytelling, and cultural preservation. At a time when queer voices and artistic expression continue to face challenges, it felt important to celebrate the artists who have shaped New York City’s cultural landscape while creating space for new generations to be seen, heard, and inspired. Queens: The Art of Drag & NYC is both a tribute to that legacy and a celebration of the incredible creativity that continues to thrive within our community.”
What do you hope visitors take away about drag as both an art form and a vital part of queer community and culture?
Phillips: “I hope visitors leave with a deeper understanding that drag is far more than a performance—it’s a powerful art form that exists at the intersection of fashion, music, dance, storytelling, makeup artistry, activism, and self-expression. Every piece in this exhibition represents someone choosing to express themselves authentically and creatively, often in ways that challenge boundaries and inspire others to do the same.
More importantly, I hope people feel seen, celebrated, and loved as they move through the gallery. At its core, drag has always created space for people who may not have felt accepted elsewhere. It has given countless individuals the confidence to embrace who they are, find community, and discover joy in their uniqueness.
Drag is also an escape—a place where imagination and possibility can flourish. In a time when many people are still criticized or marginalized for being different, it is more important than ever to create safe spaces where people can express themselves freely. Whether through performance, dance, fashion, photography, or simply showing up as their authentic selves, drag reminds us that there is beauty in individuality and strength in community.
If visitors walk away feeling a little more connected, a little more inspired, and a little more accepting of themselves and others, then this exhibition has done its job.”
Howsam “At Culture Lab LIC, it is important that our exhibition season includes work that expands our understanding of what is art and who gets represented within cultural institutions. Queens: The Art of Drag & NYC offers fans, artists, and those new to drag an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for the immense creativity, collaboration, craftsmanship, and performance that define the art form.
I hope visitors leave with a greater understanding of drag not only as entertainment, but as a powerful artistic practice and cultural force. This exhibition celebrates the profound impact queer artists have had on shaping New York City’s creative identity and the broader cultural landscape. At a time when LGBTQ+ communities continue to face political attacks and attempts at erasure, presenting drag within a gallery setting is also an affirmation that queer stories, histories, and artistic contributions deserve to be preserved, championed, and celebrated.
On a personal level, it was watching drag queens be bold, beautiful, funny, flawless, and fierce that encouraged me to fully embrace my own queer womanhood. It may sound corny, but it’s true. As a pansexual woman, it’s easy to feel out of place at times. Watching drag performers unapologetically take up space, celebrate themselves, and refuse to shrink gave me permission to do the same.
Regardless of your gender identity, I challenge you to try it. The next time you’re feeling nervous or insecure, ask yourself: “What would a drag queen do?”
Do you have any other projects or events coming up?
Howsam “There is always something happening at Culture Lab LIC! We have a new queer musical Weapons of Mass Seduction opening this weekend and every Saturday and Sunday you can join us on the waterfront for free outdoor concerts. Follow @culturelablic to stay to date on all things! And if you want to know what I am up to, follow me at @Tess_Howsam My next exhibition “Hidden Stories: The Secret Language of Still Life & Floriography” opens August 13 and is taking art submissions now!”
Phillips “Absolutely! This exhibition is just one part of what is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting summer. I’m currently preparing to release my debut visual album, B.T.M. (Back To Me), a deeply personal project that explores themes of perseverance, identity, family, faith, community, and self-discovery through music and film.
