Calendula Gallery in St. Paul's historic Lowertown district is presenting "Art for Gender Justice," a groundbreaking exhibition featuring 18 works by Minnesota artists who explore themes of gender, sexuality, and queerness. The show, which debuted during the Fall 2025 Art Crawl, runs through mid-November and features diverse media and subjects from artists across the state, all offering unique perspectives drawn from their experiences as transgender and queer individuals or as caregivers within those communities.
Lowertown continues to serve as the epicenter of St. Paul's vibrant art scene, having transformed from a former warehouse district into a thriving cultural hub lined with galleries that have converted old industrial buildings into dynamic creative spaces. Calendula Gallery, located on Fourth Street, has been an integral part of this artistic transformation over the past three years, contributing to the area's reputation as a destination for innovative contemporary art.
One of the exhibition's standout pieces is "Venus of Asbury" by Minneapolis artist CL Martin, who draws inspiration from the historical period of Weimar Germany to challenge traditional concepts of gender in art. Martin found particular resonance in Weimar's unique cultural moment, explaining that "Weimar was both a place and a period known for establishing Germany's first democratic government. What followed was a period rich in cultural diversity. This included a performance and art scene that challenged and subverted expectations, and a community known for its support of queer liberation and queer theory."
Martin's fascination with this historical period stems from her broader interest in World War II history and the parallels she sees between then and now. "I've always been interested in history, and especially World War II; it was quite a conflagration. But there are parallels between Weimar, Germany, and now," she said. "Weimar, Germany, was also a time when, I'd say, in the modern times, it was the first time when trans people and queer people were recognized as actual citizens."
The "Venus of Asbury" piece itself depicts a figure posing with a neutral expression but whose eyes are intense and locked straight ahead. Martin describes the figure as inspired by a mix of people and represents a subverted version of Venus, the classical archetype of female beauty, reimagined through a modern lens of gender identity. The artwork features wrapping on the figure's chest that reads "F gender," which Martin explains is "a particular reference to Weimar, Germany, and performers that used to wear similar things in theater performances to subvert their gender."
For Martin, incorporating historical elements into her artwork serves as a method of understanding and orienting herself in the contemporary world. "Touching on history through my art is just another way of kind of trying to understand," she explained, highlighting how the past can inform present-day discussions about identity and acceptance.
The exhibition goes beyond mere artistic expression by transforming creativity into concrete support for the community it represents. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the featured artworks will be donated to Gender Justice, a Minnesota-based advocacy and law organization that works to advance legal protections and rights for gender-diverse individuals.
Helene Woods, co-owner of Calendula Gallery, reveals that this exhibition represents the fulfillment of a long-held vision, one deeply inspired by her personal experience with Gender Justice nearly a decade ago when the organization defended her son. Woods credits the organization with literally saving her son's life, stating, "I know that sounds like hyperbole, but when that case was decided, he went from being depressed and suicidal all the time to I'm going to live my life."
Woods operates the gallery alongside her daughter Teagan, and together they have maintained their base in Monticello while establishing Calendula as a platform that connects artists from across Minnesota. Since the gallery's founding, they have made it a priority to represent approximately 30 artists from diverse geographic locations, including Lowertown itself, the broader Twin Cities metropolitan area, and rural communities throughout the state.
"This just gives them – and me – an opportunity to have a consistent presence without having to drive in every single weekend," Woods explained, emphasizing how the gallery serves as a bridge between artists from different parts of Minnesota and the concentrated art scene in the Twin Cities.
The "Art for Gender Justice" exhibition will remain on display during weekends through November 16, offering visitors multiple opportunities to experience these powerful works that combine artistic expression with social advocacy. The show represents not only an artistic achievement but also a meaningful contribution to ongoing conversations about gender identity, acceptance, and the role of art in promoting social justice.
