Crystal Hart
Artist Statement
I’ve been professionally making performance art as Crystal Hart for five years, but my drag career is the culmination of a lifelong artistic journey. I have an eclectic background across media and for 10 years I primarily worked as an Off-Broadway Stage Manager.
As a queer artist the creative process is a refuge and a vital source of power. In both theater and drag I give these values human form. I activate the power of identity in physical space. This extends my refuge and my power to my audience, my community. I lift others up, as I have been lifted.
At Collective Focus
Crystal performed at our first open-mic night last summer, where she recited poetry and brought loving energy that reflects the Resource Hub’s values. She immediately connected with volunteers, expressing a desire to bring her Drag artistry to the community. She delved into coordinating a Pride Open Mic Night in July. The event brought creative playfulness to our street corner, celebrated Queer identities in our neighborhood and solidified Crystal Hart’s essential role at the Resource Hub. Crystal continues to plan performances and film and theater workshops for our neighbors, tackling complex behind-the-scenes coordination with ease. She often organizes clothing donations in the closet, welcomes people to the hub and offers tarot readings at our weekly Thursday Morning mediations.
Portfolio
“In drag I become larger than life; often imagining myself in surreal mysterious worlds.
Using graphic elements and design skills is a really satisfying way for me to explore that off stage.”
Looks
Performance
Graphic Design
Poetry
I come back …
I come back every single time.
I’m like a tree that way.
When you came buzzing round,
My finest blooms were on display.
I offered you my pollen,
my whole essence, just because...
I am beautiful.
It is my right.
And I believe in love.
You’re here.
Squeezing
Touching
Nape & Neck
Behind your head
Your Hair
Stroking
Crying out your name
Your face
The freckles there
I love you
Im so happy
I cant believe you’re here
I’m so much older
Has it been so long?
You’re so young
Despite the years
Telling stories
Photographs
More Squeezing
Crying
Holding hands
You came back
It means the world to me
I hope you understand
Love is
Just
The only thing that matters
Now I know
Tell me more about your garden
And all the flowers that you grow.
I come back every single time.
I’m like a tree that way.
When you came buzzing round,
My finest blooms were on display.
I offered you my pollen,
my whole essence, just because...
I am beautiful.
It is my right.
And I believe in love.
You’re here.
Squeezing
Touching
Nape & Neck
Behind your head
Your Hair
Stroking
Crying out your name
Your face
The freckles there
I love you
Im so happy
I cant believe you’re here
I’m so much older
Has it been so long?
You’re so young
Despite the years
Telling stories
Photographs
More Squeezing
Crying
Holding hands
You came back
It means the world to me
I hope you understand
Love is
Just
The only thing that matters
Now I know
Tell me more about your garden
And all the flowers that you grow.
When We Were Met
You took me to your sanctuary
Filled with plants and herbs and books
Alive & Fresh
And in this place
We sat together,
We are allowed
To be
Together.
To tinker with obsolete machinery
To speak in each other’s tongues
To mix our colors, paint our voices.
Drink lemonade.
Confess weakness.
Mind meld.
Again,
As always.
Sitting
Together.
I think, we just discovered
Love.
A sanctuary.
The number 2.
How We Do
As private as a diary,
As proud and honest as a tree,
In merest moments or long hours,
In flavors bitter, sweet or sour,
On street corners, in hippodromes,
In PDF’s and ancient tomes,
In the most shy and subtle ways,
Or ringing loud and clear as day,
Hands & Voice & Mind & Heart
Make miracles that we call art.
To write and draw and dance and sing,
To sculpt the void into something
That wasn’t there, that couldn’t be
Until our spirit set it free;
This is our right and very nature,
The most human of our strange behaviors.
You took me to your sanctuary
Filled with plants and herbs and books
Alive & Fresh
And in this place
We sat together,
We are allowed
To be
Together.
To tinker with obsolete machinery
To speak in each other’s tongues
To mix our colors, paint our voices.
Drink lemonade.
Confess weakness.
Mind meld.
Again,
As always.
Sitting
Together.
I think, we just discovered
Love.
A sanctuary.
The number 2.
How We Do
As private as a diary,
As proud and honest as a tree,
In merest moments or long hours,
In flavors bitter, sweet or sour,
On street corners, in hippodromes,
In PDF’s and ancient tomes,
In the most shy and subtle ways,
Or ringing loud and clear as day,
Hands & Voice & Mind & Heart
Make miracles that we call art.
To write and draw and dance and sing,
To sculpt the void into something
That wasn’t there, that couldn’t be
Until our spirit set it free;
This is our right and very nature,
The most human of our strange behaviors.
Wind Rider
When freedom flies with purpose,
It can form a hurricane.
The ruthless strength of the tornado
Commands the mighty winds of change.
My Queen is that Tornado,
She’s twisted wind and dancing rain,
She’ll lift your spirit so damn high,
You’ll never be the same.
She has no fear of darkness,
She’s always ready to attack.
Her eyes are stone cold future,
And she is never looking back.
Parade Song
When winter’s grip begins to slack
And green shoots up from snowy white
And glassy lakes begin to crack
And crickets sing their song at night
The sun will linger each day more
As frogs and rabbits multiply
And we too are called outdoors
And so moved, we breathe a heavy sigh.
Relief, for life begins anew
Then sparks of inspiration fly
Spring has come, so much to do!
The twinkle returns to thine eye
And twinkling is how they come,
As fireflies or stars above
Impossible to say where from
Except the place is undreamed of -
What luck! To be a witness to
This shimmering parade of friends.
Their music fills the air with love
Such that all sorrow finds its end.
When freedom flies with purpose,
It can form a hurricane.
The ruthless strength of the tornado
Commands the mighty winds of change.
My Queen is that Tornado,
She’s twisted wind and dancing rain,
She’ll lift your spirit so damn high,
You’ll never be the same.
She has no fear of darkness,
She’s always ready to attack.
Her eyes are stone cold future,
And she is never looking back.
Parade Song
When winter’s grip begins to slack
And green shoots up from snowy white
And glassy lakes begin to crack
And crickets sing their song at night
The sun will linger each day more
As frogs and rabbits multiply
And we too are called outdoors
And so moved, we breathe a heavy sigh.
Relief, for life begins anew
Then sparks of inspiration fly
Spring has come, so much to do!
The twinkle returns to thine eye
And twinkling is how they come,
As fireflies or stars above
Impossible to say where from
Except the place is undreamed of -
What luck! To be a witness to
This shimmering parade of friends.
Their music fills the air with love
Such that all sorrow finds its end.
Social Impact
