The Constellations Project
The Constellations Project honors the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults through painted portraits and storytelling using audio recordings. The project also fosters intergenerational connection and dialogue through creative collaborations, meet-ups, and art exhibitions. The Constellations Project is rooted in honoring non-biologic family stories as our own queer ancestry and promoting connection with the queer community through art and the practice of sharing and preserving stories and knowledge.
This project was made possible from 2024-2025 through the support of the Side Street Projects artist residency program and the 2024-25 SAGE Equity Innovation Lab micro grant program.
Meet the Participants
Click on the image to visit each participants archive of stories and artworks honoring them
Annetta
Eddie
Carolina
Grecia
Austin
Ellie (Eagle Feather)
Pepe
Benjamin
Lee
About the Artist
Kate Muehlemann Cataldo is an Artist and Death Doula, with two decades of experience as an RN. Kate’s experience as an RN led to roles in advancing health equity and bridging gaps in care for LGBTQ+ Older Adults in both acute care and Hospice. Kate also volunteered with unhoused queer youth at the Ali Forney Center in New York City. The Constellations Project was imagined from these experiences as a creative way to to address issues of social isolation and promote intergenerational connection within the community.
Kate lives in Los Angeles with her wife Marz, and they're two cats Pipilotti and Jupiter. Kate is deeply grateful for everyone who has contributed their art and stories to this project thus far, and for the intergenerational friendships it has brought into her own life.
Kate is also grateful to Side Street Projects for acceptance into their artist residency from 2023-2025, and providing the support needed to bring this idea into the world.
Press
Excerpt from Pasadena Now Article: Altadena Pride Festival to Feature Queer Sanctuary Meet-Up at Pride Month Celebration