Rochester Art Center to host fashion exhibition with 'Drag Race' star Utica Queen
The Rochester Art Center is ready to take you down the runway with its latest exhibition featuring the works of drag star Utica Queen.
Set to open in December, “Homecoming Queen” will give visitors the opportunity to explore the world of Utica Queen, who came to fame in season 13 of the Emmy-winning series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
The exhibition will include about 20 mannequins dressed in Utica’s garments, along with original design sketches, large-scale editorial photographs from “Drag Race,” and a short documentary-style film.
Brian Dukerschein, an Art Center board member and co-curator of the exhibition, said he believes “Homecoming Queen” will mark the first time a drag performer has been featured as a visual artist via their garments.
“While Utica is an incredibly charismatic performer, what truly sets her apart and elevates her craft is the fact that she conceives, designs, and sews her own looks, which are at Alexander McQueen levels of inspiration, creativity and artistry,” Dukerschein said in the announcement.
Because the show touches on everything from fashion and art to queer culture and gender expression, Dukerschein added the he hopes the exhibition “serves as a catalyst for many meaningful conversations, but especially regarding LGBTQIA+ issues in our community.”
To that end, the Art Center plans to host a variety of events with local and state LGBTQIA+ organizations to facilitate broader public discussion.
Born in Utica, Minn., a small town about 30 miles east of Rochester, Queen Uitica first began exploring drag while attending school at Hamline University in St. Paul. Later, after becoming a fixture in the Twin Cities drag scene, Utica landed on the show “Drag Race” and became what Variety called the show’s “breakout style star.”
Today, Utica, whose real name is Ethan Mundt, continues to entertain fans at shows and online — with an Instagram following north of 460,000.
“To have my drag celebrated in the area I grew up is something I never thought would happen, so this feels like a wild dream come true,” said Mundt. “I hope this show brings a lot of joy to everyone who sees it and inspires them to live life a little more freely and to look at their fellow humans with more kindness.”
“Homecoming Queen” will open on Dec. 4 with a celebration and continue to run through April 3, 2022. For the first time in its history, the Art Center will also offer a ticketed virtual experience — giving fans around the world the opportunity to immerse themselves in the exhibition.
Cover photo courtesy Trevor Beaty
