Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Downing.
Kristen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I’ve been an artist all my life, I was tattooing for about 14 years before I started my journey in painting on canvas. I got into painting after a long meeting with my mentor Miya Bailey. I remember him asking me why I don’t paint. After that meeting, I came back home to NOLA and gave it a try and been painting ever since.
Has it been a smooth road?
Yes and no. Building a solid team is the only struggle I went through.
Please tell us more about your art.
I’m a self-taught artist and gallery owner. At KAWD Art Gallery we aim to educate, inspire and tell our African American stories. I’m known for making noise through my art. My work is bold, colorful and every brushstroke and line hit you with a message. Some of my paintings might piss you off, some will make you smile and cry but you will be educated and want to do your own black history research after viewing my art. What makes me proud is that I get to open up doors for other creators. I started without any gallery representing me so I know how hard it is to get your art in some of the galleries and my gallery welcome beginner artists so that they can get ready for the bigger galleries and museums. I’m also proud to work with the youth more. So many young people have never been to an art gallery until they’ve visited mine and that makes me proud to be an art gallery owner. What sets me apart from others is that I’m making history in Baton Rouge. I’m the only black-owned art gallery.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see movie crews wanting to use my space to film. I see more schools touring the gallery and I see expansion. I would love to turn the entire building into a gallery. I also see more collabs with major companies and international solo art shows.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4242 Government St.
Baton Rouge, LA - Website: Kawdartgallery.com
- Phone: 5044020533
- Email: kristendowningart@gmail.com
- Instagram: Kawdartgallery
- Facebook: Kawdartgallery
Image Credit:
Tyron Downing
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
