Our History

The idea of “Rainbow on the Eastside” came out of a conversation between Wolfberry Studio LLC and Angie Hinojos, the co-director of Centro Cultural Mexicano in 2019, regarding incidents in an Eastside workplace that revealed that some longtime Eastside residents did not know what the Rainbow Flag displayed in our community’s businesses every Pride month represented. Many of these Eastsiders were also uncomfortable sharing their workspaces with LGBTQ+ coworkers and had no qualms about making their LGBTQ+ colleagues feel unwelcome. Centro Cultural Mexicano generously offered a space for Pride Month where Eastside LGBTQ+ artists can share their creations and tell their stories to the larger community, in the hopes of bringing people together. We would also like to thank the City of Redmond for supporting “Rainbow on the Eastside” with Redmond Arts Season grants in 2020 and 2022, and  4Culture/King County Lodging Tax for supporting “Rainbow on the Eastside” with a grant in 2023.

The live gallery opening of the first Rainbow on the Eastside was originally scheduled for June 2020, but was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. The art show launched online for Pride 2020, during a time of national mourning and soul-searching.

Pride has its roots in the Stonewall rebellion against unjust policing. With this history in mind, we invite you to learn more about Black-led LGBTQ organizations that continue working to resist injustice in present times, such as the LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund, a organization that posts bail for LGBTQ people held in jail or immigrant detention, and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, which organizes to protect the rights of black transgender people.

Black-led LGBTQ+ organizations in the Greater Seattle Area:

  • Earth Pearl Collective is a collective of queer women of the African Diaspora dedicated to activating social change through creative collaborations.​
  • People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN) is a black-led multicultural social service agency providing HIV/AIDS prevention while also addressing transphobia, homophobia and other issues that contribute to health disparities.

More Black-led LGBTQ+ organizations are listed at https://stylecaster.com/black-led-lgbtq-organizations/

2021

The first gallery show for Eastside LGBTQIA artists was held at the Centro Cultural Mexicano from June 1 – 26, 2021. Many thanks to the directors and staff of the Centro Cultural Mexicano for hosting the Opening Week reception on Saturday, June 5th from 1 pm to 3 pm.

WHS teen’s art featured at Pride Month exhibit (Woodinville Weekly, June 10, 2021)

Press Release for “Rainbow on the Eastside” 2021 – the first gallery show for Eastside LGBTQ artists

Rainbow on the Eastside 2021 was supported by an Arts Season Grant from the City of Redmond.

2022

The second “Rainbow on the Eastside” exhibition of for Eastside LGBTQIA+ artists was held at the Centro Cultural Mexicano gallery space in Redmond from June 1-30, 2022. 

Many thanks to the curator, directors and staff of the Centro Cultural Mexicano for hosting a beautiful Opening Reception on Thursday, June 16 2022 , with live music from Trio Los Latinos, and dessert from Lydia’s Cakes and Confections.

Rainbow on the Eastside 2022 was supported by an Arts Season Grant from the City of Redmond.