Kicking off Pride Month at the Museum of Arts and Design with Jordan Roth

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) proudly celebrated the start of Pride Month with a special tour and luncheon honoring Jordan Roth. Hosted by Chair Emerita Barbara Tober and Director Tim Rodgers, the event highlighted two exceptional exhibitions currently on display at MAD.

OUT of the Jewelry Box Exhibition

One of the featured exhibitions, “OUT of the Jewelry Box,” showcases 56 pieces of wearable art from The Porter Price Collection. This unique collection, worn and given by Ron Porter and Joe Price, delves into themes such as AIDS, closetedness, and identity from a queer perspective. MAD Curator Elissa Auther emphasized, “This art is designed to make us think differently about what jewelry can be, and appreciate queerness from perspectives we don’t usually see.”

Identity Is… Exhibition

Another highlight is the “Identity Is…” exhibition, which includes a coat designed by Michael Sylvan Robinson for Jordan Roth’s appearance at the 2021 Met Gala. Displayed in the Barbara Tober Grand Atrium, the coat features queer imagery and texts meticulously sewn together. Robinson explained, “The coat is hand stitched into a collage with pieces of art and fragments of Jordan’s writing.” Jordan Roth added, “What you all do here at MAD, with curatorial rigor, provides a platform so we can see the art we don’t always understand as art.”

Celebrating Pride at MAD

Barbara Tober, a close friend of Jordan’s mother, Daryl Roth, and now of Jordan himself, remarked, “Pride has always been an integral part of this museum, and it is our honor to be able to celebrate it here.” Tim Rodgers, MAD Director, and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, stated, “Craft has always been intertwined with the queer community, and it is important to celebrate that. As a gay man who has been out throughout his career, it is a pleasure to lead this institution.”

Notable Guests

The event was graced by notable guests, including MAD Board Chair Michele Cohen, Bjorn Amelan and Bill Jones, Frederick Anderson, Mickey Boardman, Louis Bofferding, Randall Bourscheidt, Ron Chereskin, Dan Clay (A.K.A Carrie Dragshaw), Jamie deRoy, Lee Fryd, Kelly Graham and Will Fleming, Alvin Hall, David Hochberg, Tony Ingrao, Richie Jackson, Paolo Martino and Frank Riti, Bob Morris, Michael Musto, Tinu Naija, Wang Newton, Cheryl Riley, Scott Rothkopf, Sophie Sumner, Bronson Van Wyck, and MAD Curators Elissa Auther and Barbara Paris Gifford.

Join us at MAD this Pride Month to explore these compelling exhibitions and celebrate the vibrant intersection of art, identity, and the queer community.