Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

DRAG Utica Queen finds a home in Chicago
by Jerry Nunn
2021-10-12

This article shared 3328 times since Tue Oct 12, 2021
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Ethan Mundt rose to fame as Utica Queen in season 13 of the Emmy-winning show RuPaul's Drag Race. Ultimately placing sixth in the competition, this young, gay 25-year-old showed creativity and personality.

Mundt's latest project, Homecoming Queen, is open virtually Saturday, Dec. 5 through April 3, at the Rochester Art Center.

The exhibition is curated by Zoe Cinel and Brian Dukerschein from the Art Center with 20 mannequins dressed in Utica's creations, plus original art sketches and a 10-minute film about the overall process.

Recently, this talented performer relocated from Minnesota to Chicago to explore the world of drag artistry in a new environment. Mundt sat down to talk about this and more at a local bar in his neighborhood.

Windy City Times: Where are you from, originally?

Ethan Mundt: I am from Utica, Minnesota. That is where I get my name from. It was a small farm town. I moved to Minneapolis for six years where I went to school; now, [I'm in] Chicago.

WCT: What did you study in school?

EM: A big hodgepodge of things at Hamline University [in St. Paul, Minnesota]. I studied costume design in the theater department and did printmaking in the studio arts department. I ran the gallery for four years. I studied dance as well and started drag in college. I have been doing it ever since.

WCT: Was it always a goal to be on RuPaul's Drag Race?

EM: I started watching season six with Bianca Del Rio, and thought that I could do that. I knew I had a lot of work to do. I saw I had something a little bit different than the other performers. I had a very different background. I grew up a Christian kid on a farm, but I had found my community.

I auditioned once and got nothing, but the second time I got the call. My work began to hone itself in. That is the package that was seen on the show.

Opportunities have landed in my lap since then. I just came back from the UK.

WCT: Isn't the international following of that show crazy?

EM: It is bonkers! Now, to have my work praised with this exhibit is a dream come true.

WCT: With this exhibition, there are 20 different garments and people can watch it online?

EM: Yes. We are trying to bring the community into the work. Having it on that digital platform will be amazing.

WCT: There were different photoshoots with a variety of photographers for this exhibition?

EM: Yes and I loved being in front of the camera. Photographer Trevor Beaty moved here to Chicago with me and is a good friend of mine. I had a whole team of people that helped with this project.

WCT: Would you like to show this exhibition at a gallery here in Chicago?

EM: Of course. I would like the show to travel at some point. It is ready to go. I would love to work with some of the museums in Chicago.

I am just so excited to see my work in a gallery. This is the first of its kind. There has not been a drag human who has showcased their work in this regard before.

WCT: Do you like the travel involved with your career?

EM: Yes. I can't believe I have this opportunity to share my work on stages all over the world. That is the goal as a drag artist, to showcase our stories to people everywhere.

I was used to being in the art world and stepping away from my art. Drag Race was the first time that I was in the work. I created this character and now I can take her all around the world.

Being plucked from a farm to being on this platform is magical. Not a lot of individuals get this opportunity so I want to build it and ride it as much as I can. It is a gift.

WCT: What was your takeaway from Drag Race?

EM: I went in for fun and wanted to wear pretty things. I was deemed the fashion queen of the season. I realized that this was my brand. When I created something I thought it was cool, but now the world does. I feel like the artistic cogs of the machine are finally aligning. I have that validation from the show. I can now trust myself to create something magical. After the show, I feel more of an artist than ever before.

WCT: Why did you decide to move to Chicago?

EM: I love it here. I found a community that loves me and my work. I feel I can be of service here. When I visited my friends here from Drag Race Denali and Kahmora Hall I discovered that this was a queer community that allowed people to be themselves.

I found material in Chicago with sequins built right in and that was my finale garment. I couldn't find that material where I lived before and knew I could really blossom somewhere bigger. Chicago is just a hub of creativity and I can spread my wings artistically.

WCT: Did you have a limited budget on Drag Race?

EM: I never had a lot of money, so I had to think creatively about how I would do the whole package. I have always had to compensate for money growing up, so learning how to sew was important to build the things inside my head. Being so tall and lanky, nothing fits. I would buy things and alter them for my body.

WCT: Where do you see your drag going in the future?

EM: After being on Drag Race, I realized I have a special skill and that is creating these pieces of work. I would like to keep making art and I would love to do a fashion line.

I want to see how the performance of Utica is going to evolve. I do performances that show my heart like the finale in a sparkly dress and a yarn installation. All of these tentacles were coming out of a heart and that was a feeling I had at the time. I want to move more into installation work and grandiose costuming.

I got a little taste of traveling overseas, so I want to do more of that. I want to see where the art leads me. I am a go-with-the-flow type of person, so I guess we will see!

Visit RochesterArtCenter.org for $5 tickets to tour the virtual exhibition "Homecoming Queen" that is opening Saturday, Dec. 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. through Sunday, April 3, 2022, at 4 p.m.

For on this talented drag artist—including local Chicago appearances such as Ruffles at Berlin Nightclub on Friday, Oct. 15—try UticaQueen.com


This article shared 3328 times since Tue Oct 12, 2021
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

RuPaul finds 'Hidden Meanings' in new memoir
2024-03-18
RuPaul Andre Charles made a rare Chicago appearance for a book tour on March 12 at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Presented by National Public Radio station WBEZ 91.5 FM, the talk coincided with ...


Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance
2024-03-18
Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted celebrates Dreams of Drag
2024-03-11
On March 9, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., in partnership with the Ralla Klepak Foundation, presented the Dreams of Drag Spring Cohort Class of 2024. The event featured performances from a class of new ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Jinkx Monsoon, Xavier Dolan, 'Frida,' Lena Waithe, out singer
2024-03-08
Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is headed back to the New York stage, joining off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey beginning April 2, according to Playbill. The casting makes Monsoon the first drag ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret
2024-03-05
Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare
2024-03-05
Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

'Drag deity' Luc Ami hosts spring cleaning drag swap
2024-03-04
Self-proclaimed alien drag deity Lúc Ami will be hosting a drag swap this Friday, March 8, from 5-9 p.m. at The Understudy in Andersonville, 5531 N. Clark St. The all-ages event will serve as an opportunity ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted hosts 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show
2024-03-03
On the evening of Feb. 29, Center on Halsted held its 6th Annual Intergenerational Talent Show in front of a packed audience at the Hoover-Leppen Theater. The event brought together participants of the Center's youth and senior ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion
2024-03-01
Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

Asians and Friends welcomes the Year of the Dragon
2024-02-26
On the evening of Feb. 25, Asians and Friends kicked off the Lunar New Year with their annual dinner and celebration at Pho Viet Vietnamese Restaurant. This year's event was focused on this being the Year ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Chuck Schumer, anti-marriage bill, drag event back on, military doctor
2024-02-23
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced his support for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)—and, as a result, several LGBTQ+-advocacy organizations dropped their opposition to it, The Hill ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical
2024-02-19
Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...


Gay News

'West Side Story' gets a sex-positive spin with new burlesque show
2024-02-19
In partial observance of National Condom Day, which was Feb. 14, Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) presented A West Side Story Burlesque at the Harris Theater for two hour-long performances on Feb. 17. The show, ...


Gay News

Second Glance Productions hosts LGBTQupid Soiree
2024-02-16
In celebration of Valentine's Day, Chicago based film and media production company Second Glance hosted The LBGTQupid Soiree. The event, which was focused on spinning attitudes on this particular day, was presented at The iO ...


Gay News

Wic Whitney spills the Afternoon Tea
2024-02-15
Born in Arkansas and now based in Chicago, queer performer Wic Whitney is a storyteller with a great deal to say, preaching his Southern soul message through unique vocal stylings as a rapper and singer. This ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.