SAN DIEGO - s4story -- Emerging visual artist Jacob Clayton is proud to represent the transgender artist community with a new photo-based, mixed media self portrait at the 8th Annual PROUD+ Exhibition. Part of his ongoing project Deprivation of Self, Portraits "this piece is a tribute to the little boy in me that never was," says Clayton. "Born and socialized in a female body, I yearned to be Superman and to feel like I could be a hero. My art practice has allowed me to fully realize this dream."

This national juried exhibition features contemporary queer artists whose work reflects their own interpretations of pride, resilience, and community, and who seek to express their creativity, identity, and lived experiences.

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Exhibition juror, Jonathan Carver Moore is the founder and owner of a contemporary art gallery in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, specializing in showcasing emerging and established artists who are BIPOC and LGBTQ+. As the first openly gay Black male gallerist in San Francisco, Moore is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices through a Black queer lens. His gallery emphasizes community and accessibility, encouraging both novice and avid collectors to engage with diverse artistic expressions.

The PROUD+ exhibition runs July 3 through August 1, 2025, at The Studio Door (3867 Fourth Avenue, San Diego). The opening reception is Saturday, July 12 from 6 to 9 PM. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Admission is free.

About Jacob Clayton:
Jacob Clayton is a transgender visual artist who uses photography, video, and mixed media as means to expand the vocabulary that challenges societal expectations and cultural representations of gender identity and expression. Learn more at jacobclayton.com/learn.