Archives of Belonging
February 21, 2026 - April 4, 2026
Inspiration Point
710 Tiffany St, Bronx, NY
-
Occurring across Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the Kiki Arts Collaborative’s inaugural exhibition interrogates the function of identity across diverse expressions and conceptions of self. For marginalized groups, we see identity function as the basis for community building and the creation of safe spaces. Yet, what does this mean for trans and queer people who disrupt and reject the expectations of belonging to either of these groups? This exhibition uplifts self-preservation methods, practices, and traditions invented by Black queer and trans people who do not have access to racial and gender identity as a safe (metaphysical) space. Specifically, examining fashion from the Kiki Ballroom scene and the original archives of femme queens in the scene, this exhibition celebrates the knowledge production emerging from those deemed “Other” within already marginalized groups and affirms that choosing to inhabit the margin opens up radical possibilities.
-
Archives of Belonging is on view February 21 – April 4, 2026 at Inspiration Point, located at 710 Tiffany Street in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx. The exhibition is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the work of artists from New York’s Kiki Ballroom scene through fashion, archival materials, and performance traditions. Visitors are encouraged to stop by during open hours to experience the exhibition and learn more about the cultural practices shaping this vibrant community.
Public Program
March 21, 2026 from 4-10PM
710 Tiffany St, Bronx, NY
On March 21, 2026, we invite the public to a program that activates Archives of Belonging through conversation, skill-sharing, and live performance, bringing audiences into the creative traditions of New York’s Kiki Ballroom scene. The evening opens with an artist talk featuring Iman Hill and Noelle Deleon, exploring how fashion, archival practice, and Ballroom culture shape new narratives of belonging for Black queer and trans communities. Guests will also be invited to participate in Ballroom workshops, including a Vogue workshop led by Icon Tutu Louboutin and a Runway workshop led by Godmother Legin Versace.
The evening culminates in a performance showcase featuring runway presentations from exhibiting designers including Ken Tiffany and Stitched Addiction alongside a featured Femme Queen vogue performance. MC’d by Overall Princess Selena Dior, the program highlights Ballroom as both a living archive and a site of cultural innovation shaped by the artists and performers at its center.
Exhibiting Artists
Jermaine Valentine
Medium: PhotographyJermaine Valentine is a photographer and Creative Director deeply inspired by the power of storytelling, culture, and creative collaboration. His work is rooted in the desire to build spaces where imagination, identity, and purpose meet. Growing up as a young Black man in the LGBTQ+ community, Jermaine often sought ways to escape the world's hardships and create his own sense of beauty and understanding. Photography and journalism became his way of documenting dreams, capturing not just images, but emotions, perspectives, and truth. Through the lens, he found a way to turn my experiences into art that reflects resilience, vulnerability, and hope.
Iman Hill
Medium: Archives, Film, InstallationAtlanta-born and raised, Iman Hill is a trailblazing musician, fashion model, and photographer/ videographer currently residing in Brooklyn, New York. A force unlike any other, her works in various creative mediums have been published in Vogue, Nylon, Paper, Office Magazine, I-D, and more. In her works of activism and advocacy, she is a community organizer/dot connector for the black trans community. Additionally, with efforts to immortalize the beauty that resides within her community, Iman has created the brand “Kunt Kollections” — a present-day archival series of original photos and videos capturing authentic, familial expressions of the house and ballroom community.
Legendary Mother Ken Tiffany & Co.
Keenan “Ken” Johnson, the Legendary NYC Mother of the House of Tiffany & CO, was deeply shaped by his upbringing in Brooklyn, NY, his family, and his mother’s dedication to protecting him as a gay Black man. Ken cites the Ballroom community as a huge motivation for his creativity and specifically advancing his technical expertise. The Ballroom Scene emphasizes glamour and magnificence. As such, Ken’s pieces are not your everyday wear but instead capture a feeling, a moment, and what it means to be noticed. His brand, Divergent Designs, is rooted in community and inclusivity. With his designs, brand, and marketing, he shows that everyone can access the big, bold, and beautiful essence of the Ballroom Scene within themselves.
Medium: Fashion Design, Performance
Noelle Deleon
Medium: Archives, Critical Research and WritingNoelle Deleon is an Artist, Archivist, and Writer based in Houston, Texas. As the Creator Of The “Femme Queen Archive Series”, she is committed to the history and contributions of black trans-women from the civilization known as Ballroom. As a Ballroom participant, she resided with The Xclusive House of Lanvin and is The Texas Mother of The Kiki House of Versace. As a Ballroom Archivist, Noelle’s archival work centers the artistic expression from past and present generations of ballroom. She is currently working on expanding her Archival Series and creating more projects dedicated to the history of her communities.
StitchedAddiction
Medium: Fashion DesignMarcos Polanco, the creative force behind the brand Stitched Addiction, is a New York City-based fashion designer, social influencer, celebrity stylist, and model whose work has been celebrated for its daring originality and artistry. With a design philosophy rooted in bold individuality and fearless luxury, Marcos has built a reputation for crafting unforgettable, custom “one-of-one” pieces that transcend trends and embody pure statement-making style. Guided by a deep passion for storytelling through clothing, he merges high fashion glamour with street-inspired edge, creating looks that demand attention both on the runway and beyond. With Stitched Addiction, Marcos continues to push the boundaries of creativity, offering a vision of fashion that is unapologetic, empowering, and undeniably addictive.