Black Owned Art Supply Store

Kirstin Huntley is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

A Few Words:

My name is Kirstin Thompson Huntley, also known as The Keeks. I am Brooklyn-born creative. I am a painter, sculptor, resonator, poet and a creative director. Among other things, I am a lover of knowledge and art. Throughout my childhood and early adult life, I was lucky enough to be placed in settings that gave me the opportunity to try and hone different artistic skills. I want more artistic safe spaces with programs and resources to be available for people of color, members of the LGBTQ+, deaf, and the neurodivergent. I am raising money to open a Black Owned Art Store called A Piece of Keeks. This will be the first Black Owned Art store in Brooklyn.

This space will not just sell art supplies but will also hire local artists to teach their specialties. This includes workshops in person and over zoom for painting, sowing, glass staining, etc. There would be a gallery space open to the public for people to display their art. There would also be wellness services such as art therapy, meditation, and sound therapy. I would also have classes and workshops in American Sign Language.

How will this money be used?

The donations received will be used to create the physical store. It will be used for inventory and equipment. It would also help to cover the salary of those who work in the store.

Background

As I have said, I have loved art. My mother to this day has a framed painting from when I was 5, so I have always been an artist. I have created many temporary places for artists to create. Somewhere for them to go, where they feel seen and understood, especially for those who are underrepresented and in underserved communities. In the past, I had an art house. It was my actual home, and I gave artists access to supplies, settings, and services. I have also taught physical/ online painting and sketch classes. As an artist, I am currently dabbling in the medium of resin, but I still paint.

I want to hold a space for people of color, members of the LGBTQ+, deaf, and the neurodivergent to have access to knowledge of the arts and share it throughout their communities.

Thanks!

These pics are from an in-person class I taught at the meta.den