‘Give Them Fantasy’ exhibition by Design Dysphoria and Gotham NYC – All photos are by Chris Coe, courtesy of Design Dysphoria.

Design. What better way to kick off Pride Month in New York City than with a bold, immersive celebration of queer creativity? Design Dysphoria—the vibrant collective of queer artists and designers—is back for its second edition, and this time they’ve teamed up with Gotham, the world’s first cannabis concept store, to transform its Chelsea gallery into a wonderland of fantasy and self-expression. Running through August 1st at 146 10th Ave [Map], Give Them Fantasy is more than just a group exhibition—it’s a love letter to the queer imagination.

• RELATED STORIES: Discover more queer architecture and design on Archipanic.

Drawing inspiration from iconic queer cinema, video games, and the limitless world of art and design, 24 queer artists playfully and provocatively explore the role of fantasy and play in shaping LGBTQIA+ creative spaces. This year’s exhibition is the next chapter following the collective’s standout debut during New York Design Week in 2024.

Curated by Liz Collins, Grace Whiteside of Sticky Glass, and Erica Sellers and Jeremy Silberberg of Studio S II, Design Dysphoria is rooted in the belief that queer communities thrive when they create and inhabit spaces that reflect their truth. They believe that there continues to be a need and opportunity to establish new places that prioritise queer voices and camaraderie.

As Liz Collins puts it, “We all felt a real need to center the conversation around queer design. Sure there are many queer designers, but how much do we really dialogue about that?”

Give Them Fantasy looks into what queer design thinking is about. “At its core, it resists norms. It questions the assumptions baked into form, function, and audience.”  Erica Sellers and Jeremy Silberberg of Studio S II told Archipanic. “Instead of designing for a presumed majority, queer designs comes from lived experience, often shaped by fluidity, contradiction, and chosen family. It isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating space for multiplicity, for bodies and identities that have historically been excluded.”

The exhibition features a series of intimate vignettes showcasing work across media—from video and textiles to lighting, furniture, and interactive objects. Most of the artists and designers identify as women, non-binary, or trans, and their work invites viewers into a rich, playful exploration of identity, form, and connection.

Grace Whiteside’s experimental blown-glass all bodies-inspired ashtrays twist and shimmer with life. Liz Collins brings bold geometric energy through a ‘multi-eyed’ textile work. Studio S II offers furniture and interiors that challenge norms around beauty and desire. All pieces are available exclusively at Gotham Chelsea and online, bringing queer design into the everyday with style and substance.

And the list goes on: Deborah Czeresko’s sculptural glasswork, Francheska Alcántara’s upholstered wall art, Jeremy Martin’s sculptural lighting, Savannah Knoop’s performative wood installations, and video works by Sara Stern and Nadya Lev are just a few of the standouts.

Rachel Berks, Gotham’s VP of Creative & Merchandising, sums it up beautifully: “This collaboration has been a chance to explore the richness of queer experience and highlight so many incredible creatives—including members of our own Gotham team who helped bring it all to life.”

Looking ahead, Sellers and Silberberg see this as just the beginning. “After the success of our first year, we knew this had to become an annual event. Partnering with Gotham for the 2025 edition has been a dream—and we’re just getting started.”

Whether you’re a design lover, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, or simply someone who believes in the power of creativity to bring people together, Give Them Fantasy is a must-see this Pride Month.

All photos of the Give Them Fantasy exhibition are by Chris Coe, courtesy of Design Dysphoria.