Our Story and Staff:
Welcome to Trans Art Bazaar, where creativity and community come together to celebrate the trans experience. We are New York City's first all trans market, with trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people from the 5 boroughs and beyond! Our story begins with our founder E-Lorraine , who turned lemons to lemonade .
In April 2022 E-Lorraine underwent facial feminization surgery, a surgery she strived towards for 5 years. This life changing surgery wasn't the ball of trans bliss she had hoped for. A combination of slow healing , medical complications, and withdrawal from prescription painkillers left her in a very dark place. A procedure that was meant to make her feel beautiful made her feel worse than ever before. In her low point she realized she didn't have any trans friends or trans support system to turn to, and she struggled to find community.
In the midst of this struggle, E-Lorraine found inspiration. Bandaged and bruised, she began to channel her energy into a small business that she started. This gave her a sense of purpose and direction. While prepping for this business, she realized that she had nowhere to sell her art, and the queer art markets she had interest in had almost no trans representation. She wanted to build a trans community around her business and give opportunities to other trans creatives that didn’t have a space to sell.
That's how the Trans Art Bazaar was born. E-Lorraine's vision was to create a space where many trans creatives can strive and build an event out of celebrating trans joy. We believe that the community has the power to heal, and we're honored to create space for our community. Thank you for supporting us as we continue to grow with our community.
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E-Lorraine Johnson (she/her)
Founder/Producer
E-Lorraine Johnson (she/her) is a textile surface designer, small business owner, mango pepsi enthusiast, and the Founder/Producer of Trans Art Bazaar. She’s a proud Transwoman who’s passionate about prioritizing community. She has worked with the Yankees network and had articles in Home Textile Today. Lorre NYC is her business that sells satin scarves, screen printed T-Shirts, stickers, and more. She’s very inspired by the community's support of TAB (Trans Art Bazaar), and hopes it becomes a Brooklyn staple. Her goals include opening retail and community space where trans artists can sell year round and the community can gather.
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Aris Cumara (they/them)
Co-Producer
Aris Cumara (they/them) is a Brooklyn based muralist, sign painter, and designer. Currently, they are a full time mural painter at Colossal Media group, and work with the Trans Art Bazaar in their free time. Previously in NYC, they worked for Wicked on Broadway and Blue Man Group. They have a dedication to the arts, to community, and to those underrepresented in artistic circles around the world. Their goal is to become a full-time artist, creating work that fills the heart, mind, and soul.
ACAB; BLM; Trans Lives Matter
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Artemis Adamson (they/she)
Co-Producer
Artemis Adamson (they/she) is a Brooklyn based social media manager, plant specialist, and cryptid haunting the TAB socials. Originally from Hawaii, they have a desire to build up and bring together the queer community of NYC. They are so excited for the 2023 Bazaar’s and all of the trans and queer love that will come with it.