Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mckendree Key. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mckendree, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

When I was a teenager, I spent all my time painting on fabric. My first “real” job in the arts was making $12 / hour at a community center in the Bronx called The Point. I brought my love of silk painting to that organization, and made silk scarves with hundreds of kids. We taught them how to paint onto silk, how to market and sell their work and how to teach the trade to others.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been an artist since I was young. I started teaching art to kids as a way to have a flexible schedule and try to live in NYC as an adult (I grew up in NYC). I’ve always made art with kids and considered that collaborative art making. Over the years i’ve just gotten more honest about what my work is. For a long time I lost all interest in the object. Recently, through clay, I gained it back. I still don’t feel like the object is enough, however. All of the objects I make have an experience attached to them, often an experimental one. Keepsake is my latest project which is an experiment in collaborative art making and an ode to New York City, the city I grew up in and call home.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Buy art if you can, and pay what the artist is asking. Often they are giving 50% to a gallery. Pay artists a living wage and give them benefits. Don’t adhere to the status quo, ever. If you are an artist and can buy property, do it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to create spaces where people can connect over art. Connecting with other humans is what it’s all about for me. Art creates connection, and connection brings love and in some ways, understanding. Not understanding about what the world is, but a deeper experience of living the one life we are given. I try to create spaces for this to happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mckendreekey.com // www.artshackbrooklyn.org
• Instagram: @keepsakebk @artshackbrooklyn

Image Credits
Gabriela Herman @gab @Benjamin Salesse @benyoyo Bill Gentle @backyardbill