Ian Jackson
If you attended the Widen the Lens Art Exhibition on May 31st, your first impression might’ve been of the space itself—cozy, unassuming, tucked beside the House of Yin and just down the road from Curia on the Drag. More love nest than gallery, the room set the tone for a powerful evening. Last May, Nightjar hosted what may have been its debut exhibition, a celebration of creative expression from Gainesville’s artists. While many local spaces share a similar mission, what set Widen the Lens apart was its focus on the dynamism, struggle, and humanity of women. Throughout the evening, the room—packed with people from all walks of life—became a tribute to the strength and versatility of those perspectives.
Small groups gathered around standout works like Elmira Yousefi’s You Can’t Just Leave a Mountain Behind, a sculpture featuring an iPad nestled inside a jagged rock. Across its screen, a text exchange played on loop between a mountain and her obsessive admirer. Nearby, Autumn Rose Barksdale’s Notes on Trans Women—a love poem projected on one wall—filled the room with vivid language and emotional force, a reminder of the power in unapologetic expression. The show also introduced new voices, like Alanis Gonzalez, whose Oops I lost my head! Sorry I spilled my guts :( depicted a disemboweled self-portrait, reinforcing the night’s themes of endurance and emotional survival. Pieces by other local artists—including Jessica Clermont, Maxine Worthy, and L.A.-based artist Kait Hartman, along with Puerto Rico-based artist Arlene Morillo—deepened the show’s narrative.
The energy of the evening shifted as the night unfolded. Things began with a performance by Women of Porch Swing, an all-woman trio breathing new life into the songs of Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald. Later, the room turned electric with performances by local musicians Fluteity, HelDog, and Madame Rius. By the end of the night, a latecomer might have been surprised to find furniture shoved aside and a makeshift DJ booth assembled for the ever-popular Crisca. More surprising still: the impromptu dance floor, now full of bodies moving freely to the beat. But for those who were there from the start, it felt inevitable—an evening rooted in artistic freedom, ending in unrestrained celebration. What began with wine and soft conversation closed with sweat, laughter, and movement—guests shedding their stress and simply dancing, in gratitude for the artists who made Widen the Lens possible.
Below is a short Q&A with Diana Diaz (@feral_ursa), one of Nightjar’s board members and the curator for Widen the Lens:
Q: What initially inspired you to create the Widen the Lens art exhibition?
A: I am currently a second-year doctoral student with a focus on social justice in education. As I attempted to grapple with the theoretical aspects of the program and find ways to bring them into the world, I realized that art is a powerful vehicle for making sense of current issues and enables us to continue impacting one another in hopes of a better, more just society. More specifically, the latest show, Widen the Lens, was inspired by (decolonial) feminist theory and my own identity as a woman. Both avenues of inspiration emboldened me to create the potential for the community to consider the ways in which women are dynamic as individuals and as a group, as well as how we can reimagine liberation for women on a global scale. I would like to add that women are not the only group deserving of center stage, as we encompass a broad spectrum of gender identities. However, I did not feel it was appropriate to conceptualize a show centering gender identities of which I have no lived experiences. Alternatively, I invite anyone who would like support in curating and conceptualizing a similar show centered on other groups to contact me, and I would be honored to assist them in this endeavor. I think it is crucial that everyone is included, and their voices are heard.
Q: Can you share the story behind Nightjar and your role within the organization?
A: Nightjar’s story began when the board members individually and eventually collectively realized that we needed more community spaces that focused on education, art, and music. We all play supportive roles and lend a hand wherever needed, but I tend to focus on public relations and art curation, and sometimes I am the Nightjar mom. I think of myself as a flexible part of a bigger puzzle, because we all contribute to the space and adhere to the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of our parts.
Q: How did you discover/select the artists featured in the exhibition?
A: I typically scan profiles on social media because I'm chronically online, lol. Additionally, I have fostered connections with artists and educators by attending local events and through my personal project, Good Neighbor GNV. Additionally, my team has its own network of artists, contributing to a vibrant web of creativity. We plan to incorporate other modes of selecting and discovering artists, such as posting open calls for submissions.
Q: In what ways do you see Nightjar influencing the local art scene and the broader
community?
A: Nightjar will aim to contribute to the local art scene by building upon the amazing work that has already been done, such as the efforts put in by Moisturizer Gallery, How Bazar, Portal 4, Squared Wave, Pulp Arts, Music GNV, The Ox, The Sl8, Heartwood, Old Head, and many others. We aim to inspire the broader community by fostering connections and giving a bit of respect to everyone, to keep up the good fight.
Q: Are there any future projects or initiatives you’re currently thinking about/planning?
A: We have many future projects in mind, but as working-class, full-time employees, the ideas tend to simmer in a slow cooker; they will be ready, it just takes some time. However, we plan to incorporate more educational activities, such as one-day workshops, teach-ins, talks, and panels. We also aim to create a multi-purpose, low-cost center for anyone who needs to rent temporary or long-term space for offices or an art studio. Nightjar is also available for various types of events, like birthdays or office parties. Mostly, we do not want to limit ourselves, because Nightjar is geared towards meeting the community’s needs; we are merely the facilitators, the community is the genius behind it all.
