Wonderlanding

Cassandra Harner is already familiar with thinking of herself in the third person, performing as alter-egos in music, drag, and comedy. She is a draglesque performer named Dusty Bucket, and a self-absorbed piece of artwork, Kay-T Critiques. She was awarded Master of Amazement for Ohio Burlypicks 2020, so you know she thrives in an apocalypse. She is a video artist and editor. She is an illustrator and has led classes in drag, camming, video art, and drawing. If it isn't already clear, she is queer.

The pastiche of Cassandra’s artistic practice is held aloft by the pillars of camp and fashion. A successful performance means her audience is laughing, bewildered, or feeling a little peculiar. She subverts expectations and thrives on their reactions. Art isn't limited to solemn stares, white walls, and quiet contemplation. Being "serious" isn't the only way to make thoughtful and legitimate work. Her performances adapt to the nightclub, the art gallery, or the theater (or the storefront window, or the shipping container, or a video stream). She may have more to reveal than just a wig underneath another wig underneath another wig. Although, she does really love a gimmick.

Cassandra has her BFA in Digital Art from Indiana University, and a BA in East Asian Studies with a minor in Linguistics, but that only comes in handy every so often. She lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio.

Wonderlanding is brought to you by Dusty Bucket and the Mops, the drag-centric collaboration with a rotating cast. The Mops in Wonderlanding are Kris Mills and Emily Liptow. Kris Mills and Cassandra Harner will be attending Elsewhere Artist Residency, North Carolina in August 2022.