The William Way Gay Community Center for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Community seeks to encourage, support, and advocate for the well-being and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities through service, recreational, educational, and cultural programming.  The lobby of the center at 1315 Spruce Street is an art gallery currently hosting an outstanding one-person show of drawings in pen and ink and woodcut prints by Eli VandenBerg.  The art is contemporary in style with topical themes of gender identity, cultural confusion and urban isolation.  The strong, expressive lines impressed DoN, the dark, sloppy drips serving to express the emotional context of the exhibit, which runs through 2/27. 

The staff at the center is very friendly and helpful and provides important services not just to the gay community but also to the benefit of all who need help, guidance and support.  The Barbara Gittings library is a unique source of information relating to gay history.

VandenBerg has shown in international and national exhibitions including the National Queer Arts Festival. His work has also appeared in books and magazines including the anthology “Self-Organizing Men: Conscious Masculinities in Time and Space.” VandenBerg will exhibit drawings from two series: “Passing” which explores gender transition and “Place and Home” which focuses on discovering and rediscovering origins. (WayGay website) 

“When You’re Sitting, Spread Your Legs. Take Up Space.”  Eli VandenBerg @ William Way Gallery. 

“New Body, Pholio“, woodcut, Eli VandenBerg. 

Eli VandenBerg @ William Way Community Center Art Gallery.