We were lucky to catch up with Chanya Crane recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Chanya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I have worked on is my small business, The Kindness Kampaign. The Kindness Kampaign spreads awareness for mental health and suicide prevention through products and events. The biggest event I have organized through The Kindness Kampaign is an event called Kind House. Kind House is more than just an event; it’s an interactive experience dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention and is everything we embody as a business. Inside an actual house, you’ll find musicians, vendors, and relatability. The events mission is to make your mind a kind place to live in. Kind House is inspired through the several people I know who have lost their lives to suicide. Me and my husband have lost a couple family members to suicide and instead of doing something after the fact, I want to do what I can beforehand to prevent suicide and The Kindness Kampaign has helped me do that. It has brought so many connections, relatability and tough but very needed conversations. One of the family members we lost was my husbands brother, at 15 years old. He was an amazing artist and boxer. He had a lot of talents and my first art print I shared was a piece he drew of the statue of liberty. He had so much talent to share here on this earth and it is devastating that he can no longer share that with us. We are dedicated to celebrating others and their talents and providing a platform and space for them to share. The Kindness Kampaign understands the impact of mental illness on daily life and we’re here to provide understanding and support. The Kind house will provide creative activities and immersive art while exploring ways to be kind to your mind especially during those challenges that mental illness can bring. It is a safe space where empathy, inclusion, and friendships thrive. We believe in the power of kindness, both towards others and yourself. Our event will feature local creatives and performers, showcasing their passions, talents and adding to the powerful atmosphere Kind House brings. Join The Kindness Kampaign in celebrating the unique and quirky qualities that make each of us special. In doing this, we become a part of something bigger than ourselves. Kind House is located in downtown Provo, UT and will be running Wednesday, September 13th through Saturday, September 16th.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
The Kindness Kampaign was born in October 2021 and has organized and attended several markets and events. I started the business after my husbands brother, at age 15, passed away to suicide in 2020. This business is inspired from him and his legacy. Realizing how much talent he had and suddenly it was gone urged me to start encouraging others to share their talents. We all have something to give to the world and I want to encourage that. This business has proved to me time and time again that someone out there needs what I have to offer. That goes for everyone. Someone needs what you have to offer. The world is so much better with you in it and the world truly needs you. We focus on that at The Kindness Kampaign along with being kind not only to yourself but to others. We strive to serve and help other people and in doing that we become a part of something bigger than ourselves.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of The Kindness Kampaign is being able to see my ideas come to life and knowing it was impactful in others lives. My mission is to create spaces where other feel included, they feel they belong and they feel important. I want them to feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves and what they have to offer the world is valued and important.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Our upcoming event, Kind House, is a very creative event and experience. This year we are enhancing the experience by making it more organized than last year, helping attendees understand what the purpose of the home is, and how they can learn and benefit from the event. We encourage attendees to come to Kind House with an open mind and vulnerable spirits. Kind House is a place where friendships and connections are made and self worth and awareness can be created.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Chanya Crane @whatsonchanyascamera on Instagram