Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana Parsons.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a public school kid, attending Whitney M. Young High School; the same high school as Michelle Obama! If you’re from Chicago, you know that two things are inevitable: we’ll remind you that we’re from here, and we’ll tell you where we went to high school. It’s such a formative part of who we are.
The Chicago Public School system has a reputation, both good and bad, but one thing that made my high school experience unique was its commitment to the arts. I was incredibly lucky to have the space and resources to be creative and hone my craft, and looking back, I realize just how rare that is. Free public access art programs like Marwen and Gallery 37 were critical to my development, not just as an artist but as an entrepreneur. Having those spaces to learn, create, and explore made all the difference in shaping the way I see art as a tool for opportunity.
Fast forward to two years ago. I quit my salaried job and decided to bet on my dream. Chicago has an incredible infrastructure for budding artists and for those who are already established, but I saw a gap in between. There weren’t enough spaces truly dedicated to mid-career and emerging talent, the artists who are at a crucial stage in their careers and need real opportunities to level up. That middle ground is so rich and vibrant, yet often overlooked.
Then, in December 2023, my business partner Fabian Sotelo and I walked into what would become Evoke Gallery, our new home. It was a leap of faith, but one that made perfect sense. Now, a year in, it feels like more has happened in this short time than in all the years before. Evoke isn’t just a space to view and purchase art. We’ve built something bigger.
In this first year alone, we’ve curated multiple exhibitions, helped artists earn income from their work, welcomed hundreds of people into the space, and produced some truly incredible art. More than that, we’ve historicized the stories of our community, creating an archive of voices, perspectives, and creativity that might otherwise go unseen. It’s been an intense, fast-moving, transformative year, and I know we’re only just getting started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh no, it has not been a smooth road. Not even close. This journey has tested the absolute limits of my mental, physical, and emotional capacity in ways I never could have imagined. I knew starting a business would be hard, but knowing and truly understanding are two very different things.
Being an entrepreneur means stepping into an entirely new level of responsibility. Not just for yourself, but for your team, your artists, your clients, and the vision you’re trying to build. And with that comes an almost comical level of unpredictability. If something can go wrong, at some point, it probably will. That’s not just business, that’s life. The real test is in how you respond.
One of the biggest challenges we faced was relocating from our original warehouse space to a true gallery. That transition was nearly devastating, both to the business and to me personally. We were thrown into uncertainty, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure how we would recover. But with a little luck and the unwavering support of our community, we didn’t just recover. We leveled up! We moved into a beautiful, spacious storefront that felt even more aligned with our vision.
What I’ve learned is that every obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it feels in the moment, is just another step in the process. The things that seemed like mountains months ago now feel like small hills. With every challenge, we’ve grown stronger, sharper, more resilient. I’m constantly amazed by the way my team and I continue to rise to the occasion. We don’t just survive setbacks, we use them to propel forward.
So no, it hasn’t been easy. But I wouldn’t trade the struggle, because it’s made us who we are. And if there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that we’re only getting tougher, smarter, and better at what we do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an artist and a gallery owner, but I like to call myself a gallerista. Running a gallery, especially in this startup phase, means wearing a lot of hats. One of the hats I enjoy the most is curating. There’s something really special about being able to bring ideas to life, whether they’re my own or someone else’s, and to create something that didn’t exist before. Curating requires vision, and that’s one of the things I’m known for. Having a strong opinion and standing behind it isn’t always common, especially in the art world, but I trust my taste. I know how to recognize what stands out, and I move with that confidence when selecting artists, building exhibitions, and creating experiences.
Evoke isn’t just a gallery. It’s an environment, an experience. Every exhibition is designed to activate all the senses. The traditional gallery model is the white cube, a pristine and neutral space meant to showcase art without influence. While I believe in preserving the integrity of the work, I also know that atmosphere shapes engagement. Sometimes people need more than just a visual experience to truly connect with art.
For a lot of people, galleries feel inaccessible. There are barriers to entry, whether it’s the way the space is structured, the language used, or the overall culture of the art world. We work to shift that. At Evoke, we create an environment that invites people in, expands their understanding of art, and allows for real connection. We don’t just show work. We produce it, shape it, and consider every detail of how it’s being experienced. That’s what makes us different, and that’s what I’m most proud of.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can work with me in so many ways, and I always welcome collaboration. Evoke Gallery is a growing creative space, and we’re always looking to connect with artists, patrons, collectors, brands, and organizations who align with our vision.
Artists who are interested in exhibiting with us should have a cultivated practice and a clear creative voice. I’m drawn to work that feels intentional and culturally relevant. Beyond just showing art, we also have a fabrication and production studio, which means we can help bring ambitious ideas to life in ways that many galleries can’t.
Patrons, collectors, and donors are crucial to sustaining what we do. The art world is largely structured to benefit the top one percent, and part of my mission is to challenge that and cultivate a new kind of market. If you believe in supporting independent artists and emerging talent, there’s room for you in this space. Investing in art isn’t just about buying a piece. It’s about helping shape the future of what gets seen, who gets supported, and what kind of work gets valued.
Beyond exhibitions, Evoke is an ideal space for brands and organizations looking to collaborate on event activations, immersive experiences, and creative partnerships. We’ve designed the gallery to be more than just a place to hang art on walls. It’s a space where ideas take shape, where culture is created, and where we can build something truly unique together.
Our newest venture, Entity, is a merchandising workshop where we produce our own goods in-house. We’re also looking to expand that work to support other artists and creatives who want to develop their own products.
If you want to collaborate, show work, support the space, or explore how we can build something together, reach out. We’re creating an ecosystem, and every person who connects with us helps shape what it becomes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evokechi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evoke_chi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evoke-chicago-36a4342ba
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@evokechi?si=N2r61I6k26T0ODe2
Image Credits
Photography by Vigo Vargas