Pride-Themed Art Show at ServiceNet’s Rooster Café Showcases Creativity and Inclusion

ServiceNet staff and program participants gathered at the Rooster Café Tuesday afternoon for a reception to launch a Pride-themed art show that will run through early July.

The exhibition, which features more than 40 works, includes art inspired by themes of identity and belonging. Contributors include staff and participants from across ServiceNet.

Members of the public who wish to view the exhibition should email Amy Diehl, ServiceNet’s senior director of communications and development, at [email protected].

“This show came together organically, through conversations among staff and participants who wanted to share what Pride means to them,” Diehl said. “Art is an exciting and meaningful way for people to share their stories and perspectives, and we hope this exhibition will build connection and highlight the many experiences and identities that make up our community.”

For Café Worker Melani Sicard, one of several Rooster Café employees participating, the show offered an opportunity to explore a new creative outlet while reflecting on what Pride means.

“One’s like the moon and one’s like outer space with the moon,” Sicard said of two glitter-filled pieces she created for the exhibition. “Those were the first two I’ve done as an adult, and my house was so full of glitter afterward!”

Sicard connected the works’ galaxy theme to Pride through the idea of self-discovery: “I think it’s because you’re just trying to find yourself, you’re exploring new places, and you just want to be yourself.”

The exhibition also includes a collection of watercolor Pride flags created by participants in a Milestones class led by Program Specialist Rachael Mannion. The project began as a conversation about Pride, identity, and the many flags that represent different communities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, Mannion said. Participants selected flags that were meaningful to them and created watercolor versions, later incorporating heart-shaped silhouettes of black paper into the finished pieces.

“A big part of Pride is being seen and saying, ‘I’m here,’” Mannion said. “We talked about how these flags represent people’s identities and why that matters.”

What began as an art project soon expanded into discussions about history, self-advocacy, community, and belonging. Participants learned about the evolution of Pride flags, explored LGBTQIA+ history, and shared conversations about identity and acceptance.

Mannion said the project resonated with participants in ways she had not anticipated.

“People were really into it,” she said. “There were a couple people who initially said, ‘No, I’m not doing it,’ but as the weeks went on, every person who had said no found a flag they wanted to make and decided to participate.”

The project reflects Milestones’ broader approach of combining creative expression with opportunities for learning and discussion. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, share perspectives, and explore topics that matter to them.

“I think it makes people feel more confident because we’re asking them, ‘What do you think?’” Mannion said. “It gives them space to be heard and to feel valued.”

The Rooster Café, where the show is on display, is a vocational culinary training program for people with disabilities. In sourcing ingredients, the café prioritizes local producers like ServiceNet’s Prospect Meadow Farm, a therapeutic farming program where participants raise crops, care for animals, and develop job skills.

For Sicard, participating in the show has changed the way she sees her own creativity.

“I’m really proud of myself,” Sicard said. “Because I never liked my artwork growing up as a kid. Now I love it!”

To learn more about ServiceNet’s programs and services across Western Massachusetts, visit https://www.servicenet.org/.