Q&A: Never Apart TV’s Michael Venus Talks Season 2, Queer Artists and Bringing LGBTQI+ Art into the Mainstream
Published on: Oct 22, 2018
Written by: OUTtv
As Season 2 of Never Apart TV is set to make its return to OUTtv tomorrow, we catch up with the show’s host to talk about some of the exciting things we can expect from season 2, the importance of arts and culture in the LGBTQI+ community and which artists are hot right now.
Never Apart TV airs on OutTV every Tuesday at 7.30pm from October 23. For those with a lack of self-control (guilty!) the entire series will also be available on OUTtvGo for a watching frenzy.
Season 2 will premiere tomorrow on OUTtv, give us a quick recap on what the show is about?
We are so excited for season 2! Never Apart TV is an arts and culture new program giving a much need voice to queer artists. We get to chat with international and Canadian artists and queer celebrities about their work though video profiles, artist visits and mini documentaries. It is more than ever important to share these stories in our troubling world. It is all about visibility and community and we are thrilled to be a conduit for these voices.
Never Apart covers such an elective selection of art, what sort of artists can we expect to see?
We get to see a really diverse group of unique personalities whom share a similar vision of change. From drag stars like Trixie Mattel to Ballroom and vogue innovators like NYC’s Twiggy Pucci Gardon to Living Legends like San Francisco’s David Glamamore and his drag daughter Juanita More and on and on! There are so many multi-disciplinary people on this season that bring it!
Drag Star Trixie Mattel
What have been some of the highlights from filming the second season?
Some highlights have been working with so many talented folks and being able to showcase a wide range of creative beings. It is also being able to travel and meet new like-minded beings and welcome folks to the Centre in Montreal. It is really important for us to celebrate our local innovators as well as the big names. We have also created a studio at Never Apart which is an amazing place to film in amongst the galleries and glamour.
What is your favourite thing about doing this show?
I love being able to connect with people and being back in front of the camera is a lot of fun. I have always enjoyed working with OUTtv since the mid 2000’s with the House of Venus Show. I am fortunate to have this platform and grateful to be able to so what I do. I love being able to get inside other artist’s world and hear their process.
Michael Venus (left) on Outspoken Biography: They Came From Venus
What do you hope viewers take away from Never Apart?
I hope viewers are entertained, educated and enlightened. I hope it inspires folks to learn about these artists and understand the importance to highlight our leaders, legends and emerging artists who are living their truth no matter what the obstacles. I hope it is a reflection of Never Apart’s mission of creating change, bringing people together and opening minds. I also hope folks across the country get to see what a rich and culturally vibrant city Montreal is. We are really experiencing an artistic renaissance within this dynamic and historic place. It is one of my favourite urban centres on earth is such a unique destination bursting with talent.
Why is it that art is such an important part of the queer community?
I believe art can create change- it always has done so. Queers have always had special powers in the creative field and it’s important for us to express ourselves as much as possible. We have come a long way with LGBTQ rights and luckily in Canada for the most part we are safe, but we need to represent those brothers and sister out there who are not. In a digital age a lot of people are disconnected from each other, so I think community is now more important than ever! Throughout the Gay liberation art has been a powerful tool to create this change and really is a sign of the times which reflects society as a whole.
Do you think queer artists are being heard enough in the mainstream art world?
I think in the last decade our voices are being heard more in the mainstream on television and in the art world but no I don’t think we are there yet. There is much change to be done in the art world and beyond. Get louder friends!
What is about the arts that interests you?
I have always been interested in the arts and had a wild imagination since I was a small isolated gay kid living in rural Ontario. I think art is an expression of the soul and I do not know anything else. I am driven to create. I think art is an important vehicle to move things forward.
Which artists are you loving right now?
OMG there are too many to name but on this season I LOVE my Two Spirit sisters Dayna Danger and Jeffrey McNeil Seymour who are doing really important work within Canada giving voices to Indigenous and Aboriginal folks, I love the hilarious Lex Vaughn, story teller Ivan Coyote and really all of the artists who show their work at Never Apart whom you will learn about watching this season.
Lex Vaughn interviewing Michael Venus for Season 2 of Never Apart TV
For those looking to integrate themselves more into arts and get more involved, what advice would you have?
I say just start creating. I am the queen of DIY (Do It Yourself). Trust your instincts and intuition. We are put on this earth for a reason and that reason is not to sit back – it is to follow your dreams!