What happens when art refuses to stay in one lane?

For Skylar K., Quinn Martinez and Stephen Ray Exparza, making art is tied to the way they move through the world. Fashion, music, movement, identity and personality all find their way into what they create.

That mix is at the heart of Lyrical Lemonade, on view at Access Gallery November 6–December 18. The exhibition brings together works on paper and canvas, digital art, audio, video and mixed media from three artists with distinctly different creative voices.

Skylar is a self-proclaimed fashionista whose work is filled with color, pattern, nature and characters.

After nearly giving up art, she returned to it during the pandemic and has continued building her practice through college. Her True BFF characters grew from her own experiences with bullying and the idea of learning to be your own best friend.

For Skylar, the message is simple: You can fit in.

Quinn is the studio’s resident rocker.

Music, identity and a goth-inspired style run through his work, including creatures that carry pieces of him in their dreads, colors and personalities.

“I like making art and music. I use my voice to rap and I want to put that with my art. I draw parts of myself, like my dreads and colors. I want people to feel it.”

Stephen works across drawing, painting, sewing, digital art, performance, music and movement.

Dance is part of his creative expression, and he has even used his feet to create artwork.

His Latinx culture also runs through his work, along with a curiosity that keeps him exploring new materials and new ways to communicate an idea.

“I am a social butterfly. I like talking with people and helping other artists. I like sharing my ideas and advice.”

That is what brings Lyrical Lemonade together.

Skylar brings fashion and belonging. Quinn brings music and the energy of the rocker he carries into the studio. Stephen moves between visual art, music, dance and performance.

Three artists taking the things that shape them and turning them into something distinctly their own.