

Safety is not a given—it is created, claimed, and continuously reimagined by those who have been denied it.
"a safe space" brings together artists whose work embodies the radical act of existing fully and authentically in a world that too often demands conformity, silence, or invisibility. This exhibition honors the ways communities build sanctuary for one another—through shared culture, collective care, public protest, and the simple, profound act of presence.
The artists featured here engage with identity not as a fixed category, but as a living practice: of resistance against erasure, of celebration in the face of marginalization, of survival through creativity, and of communion across difference. Their work speaks to the ongoing struggle for bodily autonomy, cultural recognition, and the right to move through the world without fear.
In galleries, studios, streets, and screens, art becomes a space where safety can be both interrogated and materialized. Here, vulnerability meets strength. Personal narrative becomes political testament. And the margins move to the center.
"a safe space" is an invitation to witness, to reflect, and to recognize that the most powerful sanctuaries are often built by those who need them most—with their own hands, voices, and visions.

1st Place!
Ash Milne
(they/them)
"You Make Me Feel Safe"
IG: @s0ur.gh0st
2nd Place!
Will M Nichols
(he/him/they/them)
"dreadful weight of hope"
IG: @willmnichols



