Anachronism: The Next Chapter of a Local Creative Legacy

Thanks for your support! We are open for business!

If you would like to continue supporting local queer-owned business through donations, you are welcome to do so! Donations from here on out will go to ordering exciting new products, and saving for the future of Anachronism. I intend to be here for a very, very long time!

Red Herring Art Supply (originally the Gallery of Everything) has been the heartbeat of Lakewood’s 40 West Arts District since the district’s earliest days — a place where local artists, students, and dreamers come to restock, recharge, and connect. It’s more than just a supply store; it’s a creative home.

Now, it’s time for a new chapter.

On Oct. 1st, longtime owner Kris Autobee — a beloved local historian and community builder — has passed the brush! And we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure this vibrant, offbeat, and deeply cherished art store not only survives, but evolves into something even more welcoming, even more radical, and even more rooted in community.

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Meet Ian Greenleaf ‍

Ian Greenleaf isn’t just an artist and Red Herring regular — he’s the heart behind its next chapter. A local urban cryptid, trans man, and longtime Lakewood creative, Ian came to Colorado in 2018 seeking a safe, expressive, and inclusive place to continue his life after beginning his transition in the Bible Belt.

He quickly found a home in Lakewood’s queer and artistic communities — studying art, singing in the gay men’s chorus, and becoming a familiar face in the 40 West District. And like so many art students in north Lakewood, Ian found himself spending more and more time at Red Herring.

“Buying art supplies and using art supplies are two different hobbies– both equally fun!”

By 2021, Ian — and even his cat, Georgia O’Kitty — had become regulars at Red Herring. It wasn’t just a store; it was a place where they both felt seen, safe, and creatively alive.

When the opportunity arose to purchase the store from Kris, Ian knew: this was more than a business. It was a calling.

Introducing Anachronism

Under Ian’s leadership, Red Herring has become Anachronism — a queer-owned, radically welcoming art space rooted in discovery, history, and creative rebellion.

Why the name Anachronism? Because great art often defies time. It speaks to the mystery and joy of finding something unexpected, something powerful — even from a different era. It’s about honoring the past while building a future that’s inclusive, imaginative, and bold….just like how Ian creatively approaches the world.

Anachronism will continue Red Herring’s legacy of curated, high-quality art materials — no big-box vibes here — while expanding its reach as a “third place” for community connection. Think: hands-on demos, art swaps, queer-centered artist workshops, community craft nights, and events that welcome creatives of all ages and skill levels.

Our Goal: to stay open forever!

When we started this gofundme, we had some lofty goals based on what is generally sound advice. However, we've been able to get going on a fraction of what we thought we would need, which is very much thanks to Kris and the 40 West community!

Therefore, I'm keeping the fundraiser open, just in case anyone feels called to donate, to help ensure the future stability of Anachronism Art Supply. I appreciate everyone who has donated SO MUCH! Thank you for supporting local queer-owned business!

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about keeping an art store open. It’s about:

Anachronism will honor Kris’s legacy by continuing the rare tradition of passing Red Herring to an employee — someone who knows it, loves it, and wants it to grow. This is generational work, powered by art and inclusion.

Whether you give $5 or $500, you’re helping to transform a store into a sanctuary — and to ensure that Red Herring’s next life is even more colorful, courageous, and community-driven than the last.

Thank you for helping Ian reclaim this space for art, for queerness, for all of us. Let’s paint the future together.