Hello, my fellow CRO-ME's!

Some of you are new to who I am - but many of my long time supporters have known me from my days running CROMEgallery from 2013-2017 in Bridgeport, on Chicago's southside.

That was one of the best experiences... and worst....of my life, but from the setbacks - if you don't learn from them, you're doing yourself a disservice.

Mistakes made and that I learned from that experience:

1) Never lease a space you plan to make into something long lasting, that is YOURS.

2) Never rehab a space you're leasing

3) Never propose or agree to having a family member as an investor

4) Create a reliable team before taking on everything.

5) Multi-Tasking is not always a good thing - people assigned for each task is a better thing.

And never let the pain & hurt from losing everything get the best of you - or - keep you from doing your best.

I achieved so much while running that gallery, I gave so many young artists their first shows; I gave so may older artists their first show in YEARS, I gave the community workshops, holiday events, 2 day art walks, cook outs on 4th Sundays and more...when I lost the gallery, I also became lost within my own life - trying to find my way.

I moved out to Colorado shortly after fighting my landlord in court, and in which I WON. But, that piddly $2k was nothing to celebrate. It did not get me my gallery back.

Little did I know how much I needed this escape.

It introduced me to the nature I crave, and the peace I yearn. It taught me relaxation and how to slow down. I was able to enjoy nature on a level I had never experienced.

However, CO also taught me quite a few life lessons.

I am now in New Mexico, and it has been almost 10 years since CROMEgallery shut it's doors.

This entire time of struggles, applying to numerous jobs, having interviews or lack-thereof - I just kept wondering - am I not supposed to be doing these things? Am I being pushed back to my art, my worskhops, my events...because I need to continue where I left off? ...it never was supposed to end...

I mean, the year the gallery closed - that March we met to discuss that years Art Walk in my gallery with several partnering businesses from the Art Walk last year - as people were wanting me to have live performances outdoors including a street closure. The gallery felt like it was finally getting somewhere. I felt like everything I had worked for, was finally coming to fruition.

This time, I am owning. This time, it is not going to be just a storefront. This time, we will have not just a place to exhibit, but a separate space for workshops, separate floors and rooms for studios, computer labs and much more.

This time, I want to do it right; offering Creatives something that is lacking within the community. A place to prep visual artists for success. Whether it be managing their own business, or submitting their work to a gallery.

For a small amount monthly, artists can take advantage of all the services we provide and offer. This caters not just to young emerging artists, but even the more seasoned veterans who many not have a creative circle or outlet to vibe, collab, or bounce ideas off of - we want to help all types of artists in every stage of their journey and career.

But, we need everyone's support.

From the community, to the collectors, down the parents of the future Monets and Basquiats!

Share with people who may be interested in supporting what we are working on! Our upcoming workshops would help finance this! If you see a workshop - share it! Filling up seats with RSVPs is extremely important right now in order for us to obtain our own storefront! We are so grateful for the brick and mortars who have partnered with us to try and help us get there more quickly - if you'd like to partner up - please DM!

Much Love, and Thank you SO much for reading!

<3 CROME