<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0HUBm5_0wDnw2m800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0HUBm5_0wDnw2m800" width="1280" height="831" ><figcaption>Arkansas Alumni Drag Brunch. Photo by Karyk King.</figcaption></figure>On Oct. 13, the Arkansas Alumni Association held its ninth annual Scholarship Drag Brunch at Mount Sequoyah, a staple of Fayetteville culture, and it was truly a joyful celebration. As soon as you entered, you were greeted by friendly faces and food. The reception room was decked out in every shade of the rainbow, LGBTQ+ flags, Arkansas merch, glitter and crowns, with everyone dressed to the nines. The environment was electric, with everyone excited to see one another and the show. Bo Morrison is an Arkansas journalism alum who currently serves as the vice president of the Arkansas Alumni Association. Morrison became involved with the Alumni Association when he moved back to Arkansas three years ago after living in California for 20 years. “When I moved back, I called the Alumni Association,” Morrison said. “I told them I wanted to get involved immediately, and I began reaching out to see where I can do the most. I heard about the Pride Alumni Society — it was about the coolest thing I’ve ever heard.”The PRIDE Alumni Society Board was founded at the University of Arkansas about 10 years ago and was the first of its kind in the Southeastern Conference. This is the ninth year the board has put on the Drag Brunch, a unique way to showcase local talents as well as raise money for the scholarship. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1qLCfm_0wDnw2m800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1qLCfm_0wDnw2m800" width="2048" height="1326" ><figcaption>This is the ninth year the board has put on the Drag Brunch, a unique way to showcase local talents as well as raise money for the scholarship.&nbsp;Photo by Karyk King.</figcaption></figure>“Visibility is everything,” Morrison said, a member of the LGBTQ+ community himself. “When I was growing up, I didn’t know people like me existed. It was like walking around in a fog. If I had seen people living their best lives as a couple or with kids, my life would be different now. We want to be visible — we exist, and we are always here for you.” The fabulous host, drag artist Taylor Madison Monroe, is an Arkansas alum who has been in drag entertainment since 2002. Jeremy Reid Stuthard, the mind behind Monroe, received his undergrad in communications from the U of A and later his masters in recreation and sports management. Monroe has hosted the event every year since its beginning. “My favorite part about performing is making people smile,” Monroe said. “I know it sounds cliche, but getting to connect with someone in the audience is a gift. I’ve performed for birthdays, anniversaries; you never think performing is heavy, but it can be. It’s good to make people smile.”Other performers included the dazzling Ba Xa Er, beautiful Brooklyn Bisette and enigmatic Audacity Twinx, who engaged with the audience and raised money for the scholarship. They each had stunning outfits and striking performances, bringing something new to the table for each song.“The LGBTQIA + community is tight knit in Northwest Arkansas,” Monroe said. “We all know each other. I’ve been hosting shows in Fayetteville for 15 years. They asked me to host, and it stuck; we’ve worked so well together. It’s a fun event and so different for them — it’s not football or a dinner. Instead, it combines a niche form of entertainment, so it’s a lot of fun to do.”This year’s recipient for the Pride Alumni Society Scholarship is Breannah Small, a current senior from Little Rock. The Pride Alumni Society has awarded over $14,000 in scholarships since 2019. “The Pride Alumni Scholarship Brunch has always been a favorite of mine,” Monroe said. “Giving the gift of education through performing drag is one of the most beautiful things in the world. Putting eight or nine people through school by just doing drag is amazing.” Local artist Shelley Mouber was one of the highlighted artists at the brunch. Mouber mostly works with mixed media art forms. She started as a working artist in 2015 and has been in the art community for 30 years. She created the Art Market at Gulley Park for the Summer Concert Series and does markets for artists all over Northwest Arkansas.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=17nDlO_0wDnw2m800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=17nDlO_0wDnw2m800" width="2000" height="1333" ><figcaption>Local artist Shelley Mouber was one of the highlighted artists at the brunch. Photo by Karyk King.</figcaption></figure>“I’m a mixed media artist, I like everything,” Mouber said. “I’m known for my paper art because in Northwest Arkansas it’s different than any other paper art. I use labels, any repurposed items — probably 90% of the time. For example, teachers will donate ripped books to incorporate into my art. Paint is like one of the only things that’s not repurposed.”The art is striking and visually engaging, with overlapping patterns, eclectic designs and vibrant colors. One such piece was the Fayetteville collage, which was a community artwork only about three weeks old. Mouber had contracted with the city and had a make-your-own person event at the Lower Ramble, so everyone came and made each piece, truly making it a product of the community. “I am just super proud to be a part of something that hopefully changes people’s hearts and minds,” Morrison said. “It’s about people in the community coming together to support one another — alumni groups, donations, community; people do want to be a part of change and a community that is open to everyone. Fayetteville is progressive, and we want to cultivate that sense of community and create an all inclusive experience through raising money to send people to school.”At its core, the annual Scholarship Drag Brunch is a celebration of the queer community in Northwest Arkansas. The board members have worked incredibly hard to cultivate a safe space that is welcoming and encouraging for both students and alumni. It is a testament to the community’s perseverance and love for one another. As Bo Morrison said, “We exist, and we are always there for you.”To donate to the scholarship fund, click here.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

The 2024 Arkansas Alumni Scholarship Drag Brunch: A Celebration of Community

On Oct. 13, the Arkansas Alumni Association held its ninth annual Scholarship Drag Brunch at Mount Sequoyah, a staple of Fayetteville culture, and it was truly a joyful celebration. As soon as you entered, you were greeted by friendly faces and food. The reception room was decked out in every shade of the rainbow, LGBTQ+ flags, Arkansas merch, glitter and crowns, with everyone dressed to the nines. The environment was electric, with everyone excited to see one another and the show.