Arts & Entertainment

From ‘snowmageddon’ to art exhibit

Photos inspire new business line for local designer

Published

15 years ago

January 13, 2011

Sometimes inspiration comes in unexpected places.

Local gay designer Ernesto Santalla found it in the snow with his camera.

“It’s what I did for days as it snowed and snowed and then snowed some more,” Santalla, president of Studio Santalla, Inc., says. “I took black-and-white photos for years and didn’t stop using film until ‘snowmageddon’ last February, when all I could get my hands on was a point-and-click digital camera.”

Instant digital gratification became photographic disillusionment when the fruit of trekking through mounds of snow was a heap of mundane images.

“That’s when I got the idea to make collages,” Santalla says. “A single image is flipped and repeated four times. What emerges is a fascinating kaleidoscopic photograph, which gives the viewer a very personal interpretation, like inkblots.”

On Jan. 20, a show titled “Ernesto Santalla Symmetries” opens at Long View Gallery in Washington, which presents Santalla’s view of D.C. in the midst of the blizzard and buried under snow.

“I’ve incorporated my photography into Studio Santalla’s interior design projects in the past, but the collages created an area of expansion for my business,” he says. “In the design industry, the most logical area of expansion is for a designer to introduce a furniture line, or when an architectural firm is also the builder. … As a business strategy it is often referenced as ‘brand expansion’ or ‘white space,’ whereby a company adds a division in a related field to grow its business.”

As the interest in acquiring the photographs has increased since last year from individuals and corporations, Santalla started a new company, Ernesto Santalla Photography LLC, which sells limited, signed editions of the images.

“Because of the power of mega-pixels, the prints can be very large, which adds to the dramatic effect of the collages,” Santalla says.

“Ernesto Santalla Symmetries” runs through Feb. 13 at LongView Gallery.

CAGLCC Programs and Events

We want your opinions. Each year, CAGLCC recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that have contributed to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the LGBT community in the Metro D.C. area. It is no small task to cull through the many accomplishments of members of our community and our allies.

This year, CAGLCC will recognize a select group of deserving honorees at CAGLCC’s annual Gala and Awards ceremony on April 8 at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington.

CAGLCC recognizes people and organizations based on their accomplishments: leadership, professional success and advocacy of LGBT economic and business issues. Past honorees have struggled to gain equality in the workplace for themselves and others, some demonstrate noteworthy success and professionalism in their careers, while others have been allies creating a supportive environment for LGBT employees.

The categories for the 2011 awards are Outstanding Business Person, Outstanding New or Young Business Person, Volunteer of the Year and Corporate Ally.

The Board of Directors of CAGLCC needs your help to identify qualified candidates for these honors. You can nominate individuals and organizations by providing a brief description of why you feel your candidate(s) deserves the award. Submit nominations to [email protected]. For more information on the awards, go here.

Member News

Congratulations to Gus Elfving, principal of Pet Peeps, who is celebrating five years providing professional in-home pet care services.

Christopher Brown, Esq. joined Ackerman Legal PLLC. His practice areas include commercial litigation, franchise and distribution and real estate.

Out & About

This queer comedy show will warm you up

Catfish Comedy to feature LGBTQ lineup

Published

9 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Promotional image via Eventbrite)

Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.

Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Arts & Entertainment

Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71

Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Matt Minton

(Photo courtesy of Pop TV)

Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.

O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.

In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.

In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”

Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.

Calendar

Calendar: January 30-February 5

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, January 30

Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).

Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, January 31

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, February 1

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, February 2

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam (adamheller@t hedccenter.org).

Tuesday, February 3

Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].

Wednesday, February 4

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, February 5

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.