The Foundation for Sex Positive Culture’s mission is to promote the many ways sex is beneficial through education, outreach, the arts, advocacy, and research programs that serve the public.
The Festival is a playful and effective way for the Foundation to reach out and change the world.
Art is a safe way to have an emotional experience that challenges societal and personal mores, beliefs, and preconceptions. Good art evokes an emotional response and the viewer has the chance to explore those feelings without having to take on the risks of actually doing the acts portrayed in the art.
My goal as Festival Director is to exhibit as wide a variety of artistic mediums and subject matter that pertain to human sexuality as possible. I want every person who comes to the Seattle Erotic Art Festival to experience at least one piece of art the resonates with them and at least one piece of art that elicits a response along the lines of “Oh! So that’s why people are into that!”
I
recognize with such a broad goal, there is bound to be challenging art and imagery to experience and contemplate. I applaud your bravery for joining us in this evolution.
This year I increased our budgets for Interactive Installations, furniture and lighting, and advertising. My vision was to expand who came to the Festival, and make it as an inviting and exciting place as possible to support the challenging in a framework of the delightful. I can’t adequately describe the fear that accompanied these grand expenditures.
And I was rewarded with an incredible event put on by a fantastic team of people who devote so much of their time and energy to #makingSEAFgo! Everyone who put in a volunteer shift, planned with me for months, took a lead role, filled in last minute in a new-to-you department, was vital to the success of the Festival. Thank you for taking tickets, selling art, providing security, taking care of VIPs or volunteers, cleaning, reminding me to drink water, setting up and tearing down. Thank you for making the Festival exist. Your work is important in making the world a more accepting, sensual, and beautiful place.
You have my sincerest gratitude and admiration.
See you next year!
Sophia Iannicelli
Festival Director