Jaguar Mary X Receives Distinguished Artist Award

By Miranda Reale

KINGSTON – Established in 2018, the Kingston Distinguished Artist Award was presented last Thursday to Jaguar Mary X (they/them), a performance artist, glossolalia vocalist, filmmaker, and hoop dancer who moved to the city in 2019. The scale of this year’s nomination process was unlike any other, as Susan Linn, Chair of the Kingston Arts Commission recognized as an independent panel was tasked to make a decision from 27 artist nominations; the most selective the process has been since the award’s establishment. With the support of a diverse group of notable Kingston, five Kingston residents: Dominick Hiddo, painter; Brian Mahoney, editor; Kai Navarette, visual artist; Sarah Reiter, writer/director; and Laura Victoria Ward, choreographer/dancer, they considered each artist carefully. Ultimately, Jaguar Mary X was a natural, exciting choice for their multidisciplinary talents and specifically their ongoing film projects.

The Kingston resident is a graduate of the Whitney Independent Study Program, has a master’s degree in film and video from the California Institute for the Arts, received a full scholarship from Pratt Institute, and completed a master’s degree in performance and performance studies in May 2019. Upon receiving the award, Jaguar Mary X reflected on their journey to the city and their role as an artist in the community. “I had Kingston in my mind for many years before I actually got a chance to move here. When it actually happened it was a perfect moment,” they said.

Though the ceremony was full of gratitude, the recent tragedies in Buffalo and Uvalde were acknowledged throughout the ceremony. But as the performance artist understands their artistic mission, art should be a means to confront the current atmosphere everyone is part of. “I see it as my role to remind us how glorious it is to be a human being and to consider what it means to feel deeply,” they said. In continuation and quoting the great jazz musician Nina Simone, “The role of the artist is to respond to the situation in which they live, and respond to the present moment.”

Marielena Ferrer Harrington, Chair of the Kingston Arts Commission, reinforced this point when she spoke about the commission’s mission. “We stand against racism and hate in all forms. Since violence rooted in racism and hate has become much too common in our society, we must resist becoming numb to these acts. Furthermore, what we need is a commitment to eliminate racism and discrimination; ennacting stronger gun laws and encouraging more dialogue. We cannot underestimate the power of art to begin a conversation. To engage in meaningful dialogue, it is undeniable the significance of the arts as an instrument for social justice, inclusion, equity, and protection of the environment,” she said.

From the presented films, it was clear that Jaguar Mary X’s work strives to interrupt that numbness Harrington spoke of. A project entitled, “Emotional Body: An Ongoing Archive of Human Experience” (2018-2020), diverse and intimate perspectives filled the room and challenged viewers to think about their own stories, secrets, and memories.

Kingston Mayor Steve Noble presented the award, recognizing the growth of the city’s commitment to the artist community. “We have one of the only arts commissions in the Hudson Valley and each year art and culture in Kingston grows stronger,” he said.