01/09/2023
The Progress Pride Flag at MidMountain’s headquarters was removed by unknown trespassers and replaced with a zip-tied American flag in August, just days after we held an open house and shared food with neighbors.
Even as a California shopkeeper was allegedly murdered for displaying Pride flags the same month, the vandalism has only solidified our commitment to providing a place of community for marginalized neighbors.
One of our goals here is to promote community resiliency because we are all literally in this together. More than anything, this act of hatred proves that we are needed here.
MidMountain brings an arts and agriculture focus to its rural Natural Bridge, VA property along with a steady stream of musicians, artists, and writers seeking inspiration and collaboration. However, some past guests have felt intimidated by the number of conservative flags in the area, prompting us to put the Progress Pride Flag—one of the first art pieces originally hung inside the house—outside this summer. The flag was prominently displayed between signage crafted by curator River Peterson and DC-based artist AnaMarie King from materials foraged from the area.
We hosted King, writer and educator Eve Ettinger, and the multimedia artists Requiem for a creative residency at the beginning of the month before welcoming neighbors with food and entertainment at an open house on August 5. By the end of the following weekend, the Progress Pride flag had disappeared from MidMountain’s community building and had been replaced with a zip-tied American flag.
In an ideal world, the trespassing neighbor would return the flag and we could come together to talk about how to heal the wounds they are carrying and causing.
But MidMountain is not letting the incident stop its mission. This month, we will host a concert featuring Høly River and the MidMountain All Trans House Band on September 6, as well as a residency for critically acclaimed musician Chad Clark to work on the upcoming Beauty Pill album.
MidMountain is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that seeks to develop the art of storytelling while nourishing its neighbors and celebrating our differences. Past creatives hosted by MidMountain include Mali Obomsawin, Edward Ongweso, Jr, Erin Taylor, Devin Ocampo, and more.
