Inverness bakehouse and coffee shop gets creative to celebrate Highland Pride 2022
An Inverness bakehouse and coffee shop has decided to get creative to celebrate Highland Pride month.
XOKO Bakehouse are exhibiting art pieces from Nairn based artist, Sarah-Jane Cumberford who goes under the pseudonym Arty Sparkly Illustrations, in celebration of Pride 2022.
Tristan Aitchison, co-owner at XOKO Bakehouse said: “We create monthly exhibitions at XOKO and we try to have a wide range of artists or photographers that exhibit to increase representation.
“I knew Arty was a customer and so when I saw her work I thought oh wow maybe we could build around a theme and the obvious thing with Pride coming up was to have a Pride wall.”
Sarah-Jane created the exhibit in two and a half weeks, where she designed the illustrations specifically for XOKO for PRIDE 2022.
“She was given free reign and what she came up with was amazing,” explained Mr Aitchison who owns the bakery alongside partner Fernando Basaldua Bazaldua.
“The pictures start with the fashion houses and they are all in the pride colours.
“They then move onto illustrations' of LGBTIQ heroes from history and today.”
Sarah-Jane has also created a fitting ‘Breakfast at XOKO’S’ illustration which features Audrey Hepburn with one of the bakehouse’s coffee cups and a croissant.
The illustrations are up for sale and the Freddy Mercury piece will be going up for bids at a silent auction in aid of the Highland LGBT Forum.
Mr Aitchison added: “It’s a nice way to honour Pride month and the fight and struggle of people who have gone before us, so that we can have a safe and inclusive space.”
Sarah-Jane said: "My creative brain went haywire when I was asked to make the collection.
"It's been really enjoyable to do and there are lots of nods towards Scottish influences and local PRIDE heroes."
Ms Cumberford has over eighty-thousand Instagram followers and her customised wedding illustrations are known worldwide.
XOKO Bakehouse and coffee shop show exhibitions each month from a range of artists and photographers.
Anyone interested in showcasing their work should contact Tristan at hola@xoko.co.uk
The Exhibition is available to view in XOKO Bakehouse until June 30th.
