An art form as old as theatre itself, drag has become a mainstream institution of pop culture. When imagining drag—the pageantry, the camp, and the glamour—most typically envision the drag queen with her glittering gown and towering hair, parading as the quintessential commentary on the absurdity of gendered performance. The focus on feminine aesthetics in drag has long cemented the idea that only women are performing and dressing for the gaze of others.

[Enter the Drag King.] Existing as long as their feminine counterparts, the male impersonator has always delighted some audiences and confused others. What is there to “perform” about masculinity? How do you make performing like a man exciting and extravagant? Why do men perform the characterizations and roles that have been socially assigned to them? In a society that often considers masculinity the default and femininity a show to be commented on, drag kings use their work to express that all gender presentation is a strange and humorous performance; deserving of attention, parody, examination, and tribute.

Showmanship is powered by the Artisans Asylum Fiber Arts Shop and A2’s deep community focused altruism. Throb Zombie and Rusty Hammer are known for their killer looks, alluring stage presence, and their work to expand the drag community in Boston and beyond. Their craft in constructing the characters of Rusty Hammer and Throb Zombie cements the expression of Drag as belonging in the fine arts pantheon. Costuming, makeup, performances, and community create an exuberant tableau; bringing the viewer into the world of the Drag Artist.

Rusty Hammer is your classic mid-20th century leading man; suave and hammy, well-dressed in bespoke mens’ couture––both a tongue-in-cheek tribute and parody of classic masculine aesthetics. Throb Zombie creates impeccably detailed gender fluid monster characters that both horrify and arouse. Rusty entered the drag scene through participating in Kingdom, where he now serves as a mentor to new drag kings; Throb grew up on the stage and found empowerment embodying the grotesque. They both have multiple ongoing productions that push the form in narrative complexity and production values, and serve as cultivation platforms for queer folk to find power in expressing themselves.

Rusty Hammer is an award-winning transmasculine drag king. He is the producer of Mantasy: Masculine Drag Revue, and an upcoming fall production titled MANTASIA: Celebrating Masculine Glamour in the World of Drag. His prior production, The Briar and Rusty Show received praise in the Boston Globe. Rusty also teaches at KINGDOM, a recurring drag king workshop, mentoring the next generation of drag kings. Rusty works days as an accomplished tattoo artist and painter.

@rustyhammerdrag

Throb Zombie is the drag persona of J Alton—a lifelong creator and award-winning stage performance artist. Their work is defined as dark, seductive, gender-fluid, and narrative, currently focused on ‘monster drag’ and theatrical horror nightlife events. Thob is the creative director and producer of long-running productions such as the Slaughterhouse Society, Gash, and Magic Dyke. Throb was a finalist on season 5 of Shudder’s The Boulet Brothers Dragula. Throb travels internationally and nationwide with their bat wings and fangs, entertaining and inspiring other creatures of the night!

@throb.zombie

Classes:

Monster Making With Throb Zombie

Saturday, August 30 and Saturday Sept 6 | 12–1:30pm

Customize your Jacket for Drag with Rusty Hammer

Saturday, Oct 4, 2025 | 12–3pm

Artist Talk (Artisans Asylum Speaker Series)

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Artist Meet and Greet (Closing Weekend)

Sunday October 12, 2025 | 3-6pm

Gallery A2’s Visiting Artist in Residence program spotlights internationally acclaimed local artists, manifesting the potential of Artisans Asylum as a nucleus of innovation and excellence in fabrication, craft, and aesthetics. The program encompasses three components — a bespoke exhibition, a two-month artist residency, and expansive programming —built around the artist’s skills as both maker and educator.

The Exhibition will showcase the VAIRs’ excellence in their respective fields. Galley A2 capitalizes on the full breadth of A2’s world class facilities to create outstanding exhibition elements and experiences tailored to the Artist’s unique vision. 

The Residency will foster community and collaboration between visiting artists, A2’s membership, and the greater Boston community. Through an exchange of skills and knowledge between the A2’s membership and the VAIR, the residency will support the unlimited creative potential of A2’s exceptional facilities. 

The Programming will cultivate connections between traditional gallery viewing and hands-on educational experiences within the VAIR’s working modalities. Gallery A2 will facilitate events utilizing Artisans Asylum’s abundance of personal and technical resources. Examples might include classes, workshops, studio working demonstrations, short form technical workshops, directed open studio sessions, or special events associated with the exhibition or residency.

Gallery A2’s Visiting Artist in Residence program will facilitate appreciation of excellence in fabrication, craft, and aesthetics via . hands-on educational experiences for A2’s membership and the Boston community within the VAIR’s working modalities. Connecting the experience between traditional gallery viewing and access to artist-taught practical programming, accessible to everyone, in fully outfitted shops.