Sex Is Not A Sin: Erotic Art Exhibition
Staff Report
Sex is imperative to human existence and enables humans to receive and give pleasure. Despite this, most of us were raised by puritanical parents who drilled into our malleable minds that sex is a sin, a subject not to be discussed, or publicly displayed. This is not surprising considering our country was mostly migrated by Puritans and other Christian denominations, who thought Victorian England was sexually outlandish.
“Most of my art is erotic because growing up my peer group and I allowed puritanical parenting to make us so ashamed of any sexual feelings that it was a forbidden topic,” said organizer Harry McDermott. “Of course, the good side of this was I did not contract an STD or get anyone pregnant. The bad side of this was I was so painfully shy around females it was not until I was in my 30s that I could enjoy dating. My erotic art show is a celebration of our human sexual feelings which in my opinion are a gift from God and not a curse.”
The Sex Is Not A Sin: Erotic Art Exhibition and Party taking place on Nov. 2 in Springdale is a brave artistic celebration of God-and/or-nature-given sexuality and is not for anyone under 21 years of age, or anyone who could possibly be offended by nudity or erotic poetry. Mainly, said McDermott, because it’s a place where people should be able to feel comfortable with their own and others sexuality.
“I have several friends who have curtly announced to me they would not be going to my erotic show and I have sincerely thanked all of them for their decision. This erotic show is designed to be memorably fun and not to cause anyone emotional discomfort … no one wants anyone who might be offended by sexual entertainment to show up to an erotic art show religiously or righteously riled,” McDermott explained.
Most of the past erotic art shows in Northwest Arkansas have been huge successes, with thousands of people showing up just by word of mouth. This proved to McDermott and others that there are many folks in this area who have transcended their puritanical parenting and can have fun with a night looking at erotic art, listening to erotic poetry, watching erotic cabaret performances and discussing sexual topics. In other words, there will be pleasure for all of the senses with food, wine, beer, paintings, photography, SLAM poetry, performance art, spoken word, live music and other erotica.
“Most of the erotica will be mild mannered; however, there will be some art pieces and poetry and performances you should never describe to your mother, pastor or children.”
McDermott’s art has been displayed in the Fayetteville Free Weekly, the Northwest Arkansas Times, the Little Rock Free Weekly, the state capitol, Memorial Hall at the University of Arkansas, Arsaga’s, The Walton Arts Center, The Gallery, NWA Art Expo and Whimsical Gallery.
His art will be on display on the third floor of the NWA Art Exchange owned by Louise Martinez along with over 20 other artists for the Erotic Art Exhibition taking place Nov. 2 at 113 W. Emma St. in Springdale from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. It is free admission for those ages 21 and over with ID’s being checked at the door. For more information or to become a participating artist, contact McDermott at goodapple@cox.net.
