Drag personas take shape at AGSM

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This article was published 20/03/2022 (1456 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Drag performer Flora Hex was on hand at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba Saturday helping participants unleash their inner persona for the AGSM Drag Makeup Workshop.

It was an amazing and nerve-wracking experience hosting her first drag workshop in Brandon, Hex said, because it was such an intimate expression from participants’ inner selves.

“It was so cool seeing people express themselves and the diversity of makeup and seeing people experiment and figure things out as they go,” she said.

The workshop began with a brief discussion centred on developing a drag persona that is unique to each performer, before diving into the art of makeup application. Hex encouraged participants to share their interests in drag, and from there help them figure out their signature looks and drag names.

Hex has hosted similar events like paint nights and was able to draw on these skills during the workshop. She noted the drag workshop was a unique experience because it involved working with the face and applying makeup is a time-consuming process.

Students spent about three hours perfecting their unique looks.

Hex would demonstrate different application techniques using co-organizer Koda Maxon, also known as Luna Hex. The duo served as a show and tell, during which participants could watch how to apply makeup and then experiment with techniques on themselves.

“It takes longer than most people expect to do it,” Hex said. “It’s a hard thing because our faces are so important to how we are perceived by others. When we do things to them, it automatically gets into our insecurity a little bit because we’re not used to changing the way we look.”

It can take out-of-the-box thinking to develop a drag look, she added, because most people typically look to present their image in a way that adheres to social norms. She said a workshop like the drag makeup tutorial can make people feel vulnerable, and Hex appreciates the safe space participants were able to create together.

It was exciting at the end of the class because students had learned the basics of drag makeup and left the class with the confidence to begin experimenting and building on the personal styles they had crafted.

Hex said when she came out, she went to a Brandon Pride Parade three years ago she was struck by a speech from a local drag queen who served as a parade marshal. The drag queen grew up in Westman and spoke to how amazing it was to see the huge crowd on display.

Hex said it marked a turning point for the growing inclusivity of the Wheat City.

There remains a need to support each other, she said, and events like the drag show and workshop mark the beginning of something special. Hex said the class was part of fostering an inclusive space for everyone, and it was amazing to be part of the growing movement.

It remains essential to talk about drag because of the legendary history it has in fight for human rights.

“It was so pivotal for human rights and the progress towards those areas. Drag mothers and drag children were really important specifically during the AIDS crisis because they were some of the people that took in individuals who were being ostracized from their family for being queer,” Hex said.

After the workshop, Hex capped the night off with a special performance for audiences with special guests the Wheat City Ramblers.

Workshop participant Amy Addison signed up for the workshop because she has been friends with Hex “forever” and wanted to support the workshop and performer. She hopes the drag workshop marks the start of similar events that will hopefully take root in the community.

“I’ve always been super jealous of the makeup they do, so I wanted to learn it,” Addison said.

When she first heard of the workshop, she was compelled to support her friend and wanted to ensure the class saw a great turnout. Addison added the workshop was an opportunity to show drag is a good and positive thing for the community.

After three hours of carefully applying layers of makeup, Addison was pleased with her final look.

“I like it. I like dramatic makeup … it’s cool,” Addison said. “You can make it how you like.”

Addison added working with Hex has opened the door to play around and refine her style.

Hex encouraged participants to go with the flow as they designed their signature looks, and this added to the enjoyment of the day. Addison said Hex was able to foster a positive environment where participants were encouraged to try out a new thing — Addison even used freckles to finish the makeup touch.

“There’s no right way to do it, but I do think having the head of the class there gives us more confidence to go with it,” Addison said.

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp