To celebrate LGBT+ History Month in February, Hounslow Council is hosting an online arts event with local partners, followed by an art competition.  

The event, titled, Politics in Art: 'The Arc is Long', will look at LGBT+ history and heritage featuring special guest speakers.

Entrants will have the chance to submit their work to Hounslow Council's adult education tutors, who will choose a selection to display at an exhibition in June. 

The online event aims to foster artistic talent in the borough and offer a platform to display local resident's work.

Guest speakers include artist Rowan Frewin, museum curator Amy Dobson and Councillor Katherine Dunne.

LGBT+ History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.

There is a rich heritage of art to discuss as Amy Dobson explains: "We want to celebrate local LGBT+ icons like Freddie Mercury and Charles Robert (CR) Ashbee as well as contemporary artists like Rowan Frewin. 

"Everyone knows Freddie as a global rock legend, but he was from Feltham and studied art and fashion, while the hugely influential designer and architect CR Ashbee grew up in Isleworth. 

"Equality is a political issue and has long been expressed through art of all kinds."

Councillor Dunne, who will open the event and is Hounslow Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "I'm looking forward to celebrating LGBT+ History month with this event. We are proud of our diverse communities in Hounslow and we will try and offer a unique learning experience to attendees."  

Councillor Tom Bruce, Hounslow's Cabinet Minister for Education, will close the event and hopes it will inspire aspirant artists. 

Councillor Bruce said: "I want the evening to encourage people to seize this opportunity and submit their pieces for consideration. 

"It would be wonderful to nurture artistic talent in the borough and host these events to share and promote their work."

Event schedule:

1. 45pm - 5.55pm - Intro - Cllr Katherine Dunne
2. 55pm - 6.10pm - In Search of Queer Histories - Rowan Frewin – Chiswick House
3. 10pm - 6.25pm - Hounslow's LGBTQ+ Histories - Amy Dobson - Curator
4. 25pm - 6.40pm - Details of the Adult Education Art Competition - Margaret Joojo – Adult Education - LBH
5. 40pm - 6.45pm - Close - Cllr Katherine Dunne