Announcing the opening of Stonewall Chico's Coming Out For Art (COFA) 2026 art show and artistic vendor booth submissions.

Humans are storytellers. It's how we record the past, learn lessons, make meaning, form identities, and understand our place in the world. Censorship and narrative control of Queer and Trans histories, realities, and futures attempt to bury our existence but when we choose and hold the stories that define us, teach us and sustain us, we choose and hold power for ourselves. For COFA 2026, we invite you to bring art that tells your stories, your ancestors' stories, and your communities' stories as we co-create a Queer anthology of things we must not forget.

Who is invited to submit artwork/ vend: People of any age and experience level who identifies as LGBTQIA2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or Nonbinary, Queer, Intersex, Asexual or Demisexual, 2-Spirit) and wants to participate.

What types of work can be submitted: All kinds of visual and 3-dimensional art including paintings, collage, sculpture, textile and woven art, etc. Music and performance art will be be presented at the Grand Reception. Set design, audio, electronic or light effects are welcome so long as they do not interfere with other art. Art and artisan vendors of all kinds are invited.

Nudity and mature themes are welcome for our 18+ gallery section, but excessive gore, art promoting violence, hate or abuse, culturally insensitive pieces or anything deemed pornography is subject to refusal. Entries must be the original work of the artist and be created without the use of AI.

Submissions close September 18th. The gallery will be open October 1st until October 31st and art may be purchased at any time during open MONCA hours: Thurs-Sun, 11am-5pm. The Grand Reception on the evening of October 16th will feature our vendor fair and any music/performance art pieces.

Thank you to our Stonewall Chico Pride 2026 sponsors! Some of these folks gave money, some gave services or spaces that make our events possible - and all are valuable LGBTQ+ allies to know about in our community! Featuring…

Partnership Health Plan of CA,
indivisible Chico,
Planned Parenthood Northern CA,
NorCal Resist,
KZFR,
Mains'l,
Embarc,
Oregrown,
Johnny on the Spot,
Faith Lutheran Church,
Freebird Yoga Studio,
and these other wonderful community partners.

invest in the stability of Stonewall Chico's funding sources. As the only public-facing organization providing LGBTQ+ competent and life-saving education, advocacy, mental and social health services in our area, continuing this work doesn't feel optional.
We're opening the Stability Development Fund with the intention to raise $8000. This legacy fund will allow us to prepare for changes responsibly, now and in the future by:
- Investing in grant writing capacity, fundraising strategy, and fiscal planning
- Mapping a path to programming that makes sense in this new paradigm
- Working with expert advisors to plan a sustainable funding system

With a small team of just 1 full-time Administrator and 4 part-time staff, our working hours are filled with keeping the Center and its programs functioning. This fund would allow us to use time and personnel which are not usually available to us.

Join us in this investment toward sustainable futures for our local Queer and Trans community. A donation of just $25 helps us along the way. If you can give more, please do. Let’s grow for good together.