How Two Artists Are Using Creativity to Build Connection, Visibility, and Belonging
When we create art, something deeply personal happens: an artist makes a choice to reveal a piece of themselves – their perspective and their story.
That’s what makes art so powerful.
At its best, art creates connection. It invites us into experiences that may be different from our own and it reminds us that behind every creation is a human being hoping to be seen and understood.
As Pride Month shines a light on authenticity and self-expression, we sat down with two artists from the OHM Yeah community whose creative journeys speak to something much larger than art itself.
One works with fire and metal – the other works with you as the palette. Both are driven by the same desire: helping people feel seen.
"The most meaningful art doesn't ask us to be the same. It invites us to see the world through someone else's eyes. That's where empathy begins—and where real connection grows."
The Power of Showing Up
When you speak with Merridah of Wanders Market Forge, one thing becomes immediately clear: visibility is not something she takes for granted. As a trans artist, inclusion isn’t a buzzword or a marketing campaign. It’s something she navigates every day.
“I see inclusivity in people letting me be me. When my identity is simply accepted. People calling me a female artist and supporting me like any other female creator.”
It’s a simple statement, yet it speaks volumes.
Merridah’s art isn’t overtly about being trans. You won’t necessarily see her identity reflected literally in the work she creates. Instead, it shows up in something equally powerful: her willingness to be visible.
“In every video I post, I stand up and say, ‘This is me, and that’s not changing.’”
Sometimes art doesn’t need to explain itself. Sometimes, it simply reaches across experiences and reminds us that we’re not alone
"Pride Month reminds us that every artist brings more than their talent —they bring a lifetime of experiences, perspectives, and courage. When we make space for every voice, our creative community becomes stronger, richer, and more beautifully human."
Creating Space at the Table
Across the creative spectrum, Angie, founder of A|K|И Cosmetix®, is pursuing a similar mission through a very different medium.
For her, makeup has never been about covering up – it’s more about revealing. “Makeup is an art form where humans are the canvas,” she explains.
That philosophy became the foundation of her brand.
In an industry where many people have struggled to find products that truly represent them, Angie set out to create something different—something intentionally inclusive.
“I wanted to make sure that no matter who sat in my chair or what product they purchased, they felt seen.”
Seen. It’s a word that came up again and again during these conversations.
For Angie, it means creating products that work for real people with real skin tones, real stories, and real lives.
“The shade matched. The colors popped. They felt like the best version of themselves.”
There’s something beautiful about that vision. Not changing who someone is -helping them see themselves more clearly.
"Art has always built bridges where words sometimes fall short. It has the power to start conversations, challenge assumptions, and remind us that belonging begins with being seen."
Finding Places That Feel Like Home
Ask artists where they feel most creative and you’ll often hear about a studio, a workshop, or a favorite corner of their home. But for many people, creative growth starts with something even more important: belonging.
For Merridah, that place was Pratt Fine Arts Center. “I have never felt out of place there,” she says. “No one has questioned or belittled me for being trans. My identity is simply accepted.”
There’s freedom that comes from not having to explain yourself. From walking into a room and knowing you belong there.
For Angie, welcoming spaces begin with diversity itself. “Diversity. True connection to small brands and small businesses.”
It’s a reminder that inclusion isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about creating environments where different perspectives are genuinely valued.
Where people can bring their full selves into the room. Where creativity thrives because individuality is celebrated rather than tolerated.
"Pride reminds us that visibility matters. Art reminds us why. Together, they create space for people to show up exactly as they are."
Why Pride Still Matters
While Pride Month is often associated with celebration, both artists were quick to point out that its meaning runs much deeper.
For Merridah, Pride begins with remembering its roots. “Pride means protest…We often forget that this whole month was started by my community.”
Her words are a powerful reminder that the freedoms many people enjoy today were hard fought and hard won.
“The fight isn’t over,” she says. “Art helps give voice to that struggle. Art gives life to the pain the community feels.”
It’s a perspective that highlights one of art’s most important roles: documenting human experience when words alone aren’t enough.
For Angie, Pride is seen through a lens of progress and possibility. “Pride shows how far we’ve come in accepting and seeing one another,” she says. “But it also shows how much work we still need to do.”
For her, the path forward starts with empathy. “We are stronger when we see each other, when we welcome each other, and when we can express ourselves without judgment.”
"Art has always been one of the most human ways to say, 'This is who I am.' When we make space for every story, every identity, and every perspective, creativity becomes more than expression—it becomes connection."
More Than Labels
Toward the end of our conversation, we asked both artists why representation matters in today’s creative landscape. Their answers pointed to a simple truth: Art reflects humanity and humanity is wonderfully diverse.
“We aren’t monotone and bland,” Angie says. “We are incredible, unique worlds full of color, life, and stories.”
Stories of queer artists aren’t new stories, they’ve always existed. From Michelangelo to Frida Kahlo to Andy Warhol, LGBTQ+ artists have helped shape the cultural landscape for generations.
Their contributions are woven into the very fabric of art history. “We stand on their shoulders,” Merridah says.
The Magic of Being Yourself
If there was one message that echoed through every conversation, it was this: everyone wants to belong, to be seen, and to have the freedom to express themselves without fear.
Art has a remarkable way of making that possible. It creates connection where there was once distance, it sparks conversations where there was once silence – it reminds us that every person carries a story worth telling.
When asked what she wishes more people understood about queer artists, Angie’s answer was beautifully simple:
“We are you.”
People trying to build a life. People searching for happiness. People creating something meaningful. People hoping to leave the world a little brighter than they found it.
And maybe that’s the real magic of art – not that it makes us different but that it helps us recognize ourselves in one another.
At OHM Yeah, that’s the kind of creativity we’ll always celebrate. Every artist. Every story. Every voice. Every day.
