dylan@sanctuaryqueerarts.com

1. Who are you?

I’m Dylan, a queer working class arts/community/jack-of-all-trades type (i.e., constantly re/con/figuring out the answer to this question). Born and raised in a small post-industrial city (Siauliai) in a small post-Soviet country (Lithuania), I left it for Scotland more than a decade ago and have since made Glasgow home. I’m passionate about disability justice and art and other projects that give us space to imagine rad(ical) futures. I love cooking for people and escaping the everyday by going on nature walks or dancing into the early hours (though my cat, Crumpet, prefers when I do this by watching films, at home).

2. How did you get here?

I was lucky enough to first meet Annabel when setting up for a queer performance night at the Glue Factory back in 2016, and have been enchanted by them ever since!

Between then and now, I coordinated events, supported community members, and worked with socially engaged artists at the Kinning Park Complex, supported the delivery of artist-led creative and social action programme for children and young people at Rumpus Room, and put on Small Trans Library events (and learned how to pour pints while admiring performance art) at everyone’s favourite queer bar, Bonjour (gone but never forgotten!).

Back in 2019, I also got to join Fraser and the team working with the LGBTI+ Elders Social Dance Club, which was an absolute joy to be a part of at the time. It’s fantastic to be returning to it now and seeing how much it has grown since, as well as to be supporting the team on other exciting projects!

3. What does the concept of Sanctuary mean to you?

A space — both physically and metaphorically — one where it’s safe to bring your entire self, including the rough edges, because they make you who you are and present opportunities for growth. It’s somewhere that exists as an alternative to what we often encounter otherwise, aware of wider structural and systemic contexts, and offering a different way of being.

4. What does your Sanctuary look like? 

Beautiful and deep friendships where you’re unafraid to be honest with each other; political organising spaces where you come together with others to work towards shared goals; the dance floor where both of the above meet and entangle. And many other things, too, which I think is beautiful in and of itself, though I do wish there was a specific place which isn't home that came to mind when thinking of this!