DSWCA MURAL COLLABORATIVE

A first of its kind mural by QTPOC sex worker organizers in CA 

DecrimSexWorkCA includes BIPOC and gender diverse sex worker-led groups. Together we formed the DSWCA Mural Collaborative made up of leaders, healers, artists, and visionaries from: A Heaux Picnic, Artist Revolt, Bay Area Workers Support, Co. of Dionysus, Marcha de lxs Putxs SF, Rose in the Dark, SWOP Los Angeles, Alianza Trans Latinx, El/La Para Trans Latinx, Proyecto Trans Latinas, and TRANScend.

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The Collaborative was formed in direct response to the common dynamic where a single person with an idea tokenizes community subjects as a rubber stamp for authenticity. We are proud to have first co-created the mural concept, project design, narrative and imagery in-house. After which we found values-aligned champions to bring our dream to life. 

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Our Champions

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We selected muralist, tattoo artist, and former sex worker, Tanya Wischerath along with Timothy Hampton, the Director of Cultural and Artistic Programs at the SF LGBT Center, to provide artistic guidance, technical support, and advisory expertise for the collaborative. Tanya and Timothy are creative champions, beloved mentors, and trusted partners behind our project. The impact of their support can be felt far beyond the reaches of this first mural. 

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Reimagining Collaboration 
 

Creating a public art work about sex work is not a new concept. The process behind our mural is what makes it different. The project is not an artist-led public artwork placed into the community; it is a community-led public expression realized through collaborative resource sharing. From the earliest conversations through concept development, project structure, thematic direction, and engagement strategy, the initiative has been collectively designed and guided. The project is about shared authorship, representation, accessibility, and long-term community stewardship over individual artistic ownership. And where vision, purpose, and cultural grounding remain community-defined.​​​

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A Story of Movement Building
 

The final mural reflects a story where arts and culture sharing are used as movement building strategies. The project shows how allies of different industries and professions contribute individual knowledge, talents and resources to build solidarity with marginalized sex workers. It is the story of how one coalition of Trans, Gender Diverse and BIPOC sex workers are co-creating a legacy with allies and community in a shared struggle for justice, liberation and human rights.

Sex Worker Mural Collaborative Credits 
 

• Janelle Luster, TRANScend Retreat and President of DecrimSexWorkCA

• Cocoa Makati, Mural Project Director and Coordinator of DecrimSexWorkCA 

• Tanya Wischerath, Muralist and Art Director for DecrimSexWorkCA Mural Project

• Timothy Hampton, Director of Cultural Programs at SF LGBT Center

• Ckatalella Letona, El/La Para TransLatinas

• Maxine Holloway, Bay Area Workers Support

• Rachel Pozos, Alianza TransLatinx

• Xander Briere, Co of Dionysus

• Ashley Madness, SWOP LA and DSWCA

• Thiccshake, Rose in the Dark

• Onyx Black, Artist Revolt for the Revolution

• Cee Sando, SWOP Los Angeles

• Lotus Lain, Vice President of DecrimSexWorkCA

• Jamie Arangure, Proyecto TransLatinas

• Cesar Espinoza Perez, Marcha de lxs Putxs SF and DecrimSexWorkCA

• Fatima Shabazz, DecrimSexWorkCA

• Kiko Simone B., A Heaux Picnic Collective

With special thanks to:

• Angelica Velez, Baja Interpretation

• Lourdes Sherman, Sherman Translation

• Averaii Channel, TRANScend Retreat

• Bambi Rising, editor La Vida de la Puta es Bella at DecrimSexWorkCA

• Minouche Kandel, ACLU Southern California

• Arneta Rogers, Center on Reproductive Rights and Justice

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