Graeson Idalio

…and that’s a wrap. It wasn’t an easy year but we can still find beauty and joy within it all.

I didn’t think that in 2025 I’d be adding Exhibition Designer to my resume. What started as a Graphic Designer position in 2024 at the National Public Housing Museum, working on website design, newsletter, and social media graphics, quickly turned into designing large scale graphics, signage/labels, package design, multimedia screen designs, and so much more. It was a privilege and an unforgettable year as the only on-staff designer at @thenphm . It was no easy feat and my amazing co-workers not only made me feel welcomed from the start but were super encouraging and supportive. Though I had a bittersweet farewell, this one is for the books. Happy for the relationships made, being able to lend my knowledge/skills, and making a design impact not only in Chicago, but nationwide. I’m excited for future projects and ventures, so stay tuned. If you haven’t checked out @thenphm , please stop by! General Admission is free, but I encourage you to sign up for the ticketed Historic Apt Tours. These photos are just snippets of the countless projects I worked on. I may post more detailed projects soon. Photography by me, Monica Trinidad, Joe Nolasco, and Jenny Fontaine.

Your trans dad says hi

Trans people have always existed and always will. Holding all the nuances and realities of International Trans Day of Visibility and holding the love of my life even closer. ❤️🏳️‍⚧️ 📸 First two photos snapped by @zeebefree ; Slide 3 by @seedingsovereignty and slide 5 by @itaqt . Will post IDs later! #tdov

@grae.sun and I shared some sweet moments during Lunar New Year festivities this year. We didn’t make it to Chinatown for the parade, but made it to the one on Argyle! 🧧🐉 #lunarnewyear #chicago #chinatownchicago #argylechicago

Many appreciations to everyone who came through to our art build for Gaza yesterday. Together we made beautiful banners, screenprinted posters, and buttons to support some upcoming local actions. Special thanks to @grae.sun , @mollyccostello and @peacecosour for your organizing support, @aarhughes and @marszerks for the screen burning magic, and @haymarkethouse for hosting us! And as always, so grateful to both @justseeds and @micahbazant for organizing easily accessible and downloadable artwork for usage. 📌 We made some extra posters and buttons, so if you’re organizing any upcoming actions or vigils in Chicago, send me a DM and we can coordinate to get y’all some! Please tag artists below if you see their work in the buttons photo. ID 1: Screenprinted posters designed by myself and Grae Rosa hanging to dry on lines outside. 2: Multiple masked people screenprinting outside. 3: A masked artist prepping paint and other masked artists painting banners while “Free Palestine” by Lowkey plays in background. 4: A photo of three masked people painting a banner. 5: Two people posing and holding two screenprinted posters. 6: A pile of screenprinted posters designed by Leila Abdelrazaq. 7: Three people posing and holding three screenprinted posters, including a Free Palestine poster of a bird on barbed wire designed by Aaron Hughes. 8: Two people organizing screenprinted posters on a table. 9: A photo of various buttons with Pro-Palestine artwork on a table. 10: A quote by Toni Morrison via Black Liturgies.

From las montañas to the cafés, we demand a living pay! It’s been a dream working with @anticonquistacafe and having the opportunity to design merch for their mutual aid campaign. Support the campaign by purchasing a tee and/or tote (link in bio) and show your solidarity towards baristas and workers in the coffee supply chain. Pick up your merch this Saturday from 11am–3pm and join us for Solidarity Weekend—enjoy a cold brew and eat delicious ice cream by @justicecream . I'll see you there! This is their last event at La Montañita, 3743 W Armitage. For more details check out @anticonquistacafe . Photos by Anticonquista Cafe.

From art to a tower bar—you can’t top @themomentary . An old cheese factory converted into a contemporary art space where not only can you be immersed in art and music but also grab a drink. I was excited to see art by local Chicago artist @yvettemayorga , fascinated to walk into @fireleibaez 's installation, and thrilled by the all the neon, including @tavaresstrachan 's piece 'You belong here'. It was an extra treat to find out about music festivals and hear that The Roots and Wu-Tang will be performing there this year. @themomentary , you haven’t seen the last of me. I shall return! #themomentary #crystalbridges #crystalbridgesartmuseum #sponsored #visitbentonville

We’ve been posted up over at @artists4brandonjohnson these days, but popping in here real quick to add my voice to the sea of support for @brandon4chicago as the days dwindle down to Election Day. This vote is a tool in our organizing toolbox to reduce the incredible harm that Vallas would bring to our beloved communities. I hope we can remember that we will always be disappointed in people if we put them up high on pedestals. I hope we can acknowledge that this election could change the course of our city for generations to come. I have hope because I have to if I truly believe that we can transform our city for the better. I’m so inspired by the community organizers that I’ve known for years, even a decade, who have helped to build this campaign from the ground up. This is a People’s campaign. I know that the work will continue after 4/4 regardless of who is elected, but I’d love to continue the work with Brandon Johnson as our Mayor. Please vote if you can and let me know if you need a ride!!! 📸: @loveandstrugglephotos ID: A photo of Grae and I wearing masks; Grae is holding a sign for Brandon Johnson; we’re standing in front of people at the UIC Bernie & Brandon rally while the awesome Tasha is performing in the background

When @itsmonicatrinidad and I received the opportunity to attend "Diego Rivera's America" exhibit at @crystalbridgesmuseum there was no question in my mind—we had to go! It's been over 20 years since Diego's work was exhibited in the US so how could we pass this up. For the first time, I got to witness Diego’s sketches, explorations, large and small scale paintings, projected murals, and selected illustrations printed in books and periodicals. I knew that Diego Rivera was much more than a muralist but now I was a witness to his different mediums. As we all know we can’t have Diego without Frida, so it was a special treat to see a few of her works on display. "Diego Rivera’s America" is running through July 31, so don’t miss it. Plan a little road trip to Bentonville, AR this Spring/Summer, you won’t be disappointed! #crystalbridges #diegoriverasamerica #diegorivera #crystalbridgesartmuseum #sponsored #visitbentonville

Thank you @crystalbridgesmuseum for allowing me to experience two of my favorite things—art and nature! I had no idea what to expect and, oh wow, NW Arkansas did not disappoint. From nature trails along the Ozark Forest filled with art that led you to Crystal Bridges, to beautiful works by Bisa Butler, Yayoi Kusama, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, to name a few, displayed inside and outside the museum. The seating in every gallery and hallway was a plus for our tired feet and I was in awe how every art label and signage was both in English and Spanish. Our time there felt short but with only a 1.5 hr flight from Chicago (9 hr drive), I know we'll be back. Thanks again, Crystal Bridges! #CrystalBridges #VisitBentonville #BentonvilleAR #NWArkansas #Sponsored #CrystalBridgesMuseum

These past 3 months away from social media were much needed for my mental health. It was a good break but I’m happy to be back. And happy to announce that the ‘Trans is Sacred’ bandana I hand screenprinted for @hankysituation ’s Queer Ecology Project this past spring is now available on @palanteworks (link in bio). There are only 11 bandanas available. PalanteWorks.com 🍃🍂🌱🍁