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Gear in encouraged, so polish up your leathers!
About the Weekend
The theme for the year is “Tom Unites”, a celebration of the community coming together after a strenuous two years with a global pandemic.
To kick off the Daddy’s Day weekend celebrations in June’s Pride Month, Tom of Finland Foundation presents an exciting photography exhibition by world famous photographer Mike Ruiz at TOM House. Adding to the experience, Mike is setting up shop at TOM’s Bar the following night.
Exhibition
Saturday 4-8p opening
THROUGH 2ND JULY
LOCATION
TOM’s FOUNDATION + MIKE RUIZ’S EYE: Teams Up + Gears Up features selected images from his on-going portrait series of the Leather community at TOM House.
“The work of Tom of Finland: I’ve tried to model my whole life after a Tom of Finland character, down to my own personal aesthetic and my work. So I’m really happy that I’ll be having a solo show of my work at Tom of Finland Foundation’s TOM House in LA in June. We’ve come together because they love this project. They feel like it’s shining a much-needed light on the Leather community and so much of their support comes from perpetuating that culture. It’s a really good project for us to come together on.” – Mike Ruiz in The Queer Review, 2022
TOM’s Bar
Sunday 2-10p
THE EVENT
LOCATION
Tom of Finland Foundation is back with the biggest TOM’s Bar in history! The event will be the Foundation’s 29th annual commemoration of the artist Tom of Finland, his life and legacy.
“Tom asked me not to have a funeral but to have a party – like a scene from his artwork – people coming together and having a hell of a good time. We created a celebration – the first ‘TOM’s Bar’ in 1992 – which has become a Tom of Finland Foundation annual event honoring Tom.” – Durk Dehner, president and cofounder, ToFF.
We are proud to announce Orville Peck as our Honored Guest, who will be presented with the Tom of Finland Foundation 2022 Cultural Icon Award. [Watch his acceptance speech]
The all-day party at the Avalon will feature TOM’s Men dancing and sweating to a special performance by Mareux, all while enjoying artwork and all the lifestyle items you crave.
DANCING · SWEATING · SOCIALIZING
VIEWING ART · PLAYING GAMES · SMOKING CIGARS
SHOPPING · CRUISING · EATING · BOOZING
The festivities for the rousing Daddy’s Day party for Tom take place at the new partnering venue, The Avalon & Bardot Hollywood. Clothescheck available.
SPONSORS
BAD DRAGON:
Bad Dragon was born out of a strong desire for a greater selection of fantasy toys to be made available to everyone. Bad Dragon’s main mission is to do their part in ‘making fantasies real’ for individuals who want to indulge in their fantasies a little deeper.
BEN ORSON LEATHER:
Makers of custom handcrafted leather gear and apparel. Superior quality, well-crafted, and built to last. Fun, sleek & sexy.
EXHIBITORS
Mike Ruiz
Mike Ruiz will host VIP photo sessions for Leather enthusiasts to be included in his upcoming book.
Tom of Finland Store
One-stop shop for everything Tom of Finland and beyond.
Rick Castro
Los Angeles fetish artist Rick Castro will be presenting fine art fetish photography, books, DVDs, zines.
Suzanne Shifflett
Shifflett is a part-time art professor, part-time tattooist, and full-time artist. She will be selling signed prints and a few select original paintings.
The Mr. She
Hand cut and crafted heavy leather wear by LA based artist Saira Huff.
Maximus
Good times and good company for men into cigars and pipes
A Travesty
Inspired by a love for obscure corners of the sexual realm and a lack of figurative fetish painters, Southern California artist A Travesty produces a body of work that straddles tasteful and tasteless. With a focus on precision and an ability to render in exquisite detail, A Travesty centers his work as true to life as possible, while maintaining an air of absurdity.
Patrick Pantoliano
Artist Patrick Pantoliano utilizes delicate knifework to etch his art directly into leather hides. This primal, tactile process allows Pantoliano to explore art in a unique, sensory form.
Joining the Foundation in their biggest annual fundraising event are:
Tickets
GET TICKETS
RSVPs, General Admission, Mike Ruiz Photo Packages, VIPs + Tables (with menu)
Social Media
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TOM's Foundation & @MikeRuiz1's Eye Teams Up + Gears Up on Saturday 18th June. #LeathermenMikeRuiz exhibition will be on view at TOM House.
The next day, Mike Ruiz will offer a limited number of VIP photoshoots at #TOMsBar2022.
GET TICKETS & RSVP HERE: https://t.co/3GGpWba5IZ pic.twitter.com/QDztAzVA9z
— Tom of Finland (@TomsFoundation) May 25, 2022
Announcements
Gallery
Our 29th party for Tom was a success! Success comes with our supporters, sponsors, volunteers, and each and every ticket holder.
The Foundation’s 2022 theme is “Tom Unites” and everyone came together to remember Tom and celebrate at this party.
PHOTOS BY
PETER BAKREV
Mr. LA Leather 2022, Angel Rincon – Mr. Sister Leather 2020
With ONYX (LA Chapter) President Suede and Los Angeles Leather Pride Producer Gabriel Green.
PHOTOS BY
MOTORBOOT PHOTOGRAPHY
Joining Rob Halford, Henry Rollins, Clive Barker and John Waters, the Tom of Finland Foundation 2022 Cultural Icon Award
“FOR ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND IMMEASURABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ART AND CULTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY”
was given to
Orville Peck.
Orville Peck deserves to shine for many reasons, his music videos are celebrations of LGBTQ pride. Standing out loud and proud has become more important to him than ever, he has an open heart and open mind. We know his work will help change the cycle of racism and homophobia.
PHOTOS BY
MIGUEL ANGEL REYES
PHOTOS BY
ROMAN ROBINSON
There aren’t enough thank-yous in the world for all the talent up on that stage. Blown away.