We caught up with the brilliant and insightful VK Management a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
VK Management, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project we’ve crafted thus far is our event series, “Art in Bloom.” As musicians ourselves, we wanted to create an environment where local artists have the opportunity to share their music and creative work with new audiences in a supportive and welcoming space. We partnered with Terrace Plant Shop in Westfield, New Jersey, where the owner, Peter, allows us the creative freedom to shape the experience. From the beginning, our goal was to build a hub where all kinds of people could find something they were interested in and feel connected to the local arts community.
What started as a live music event quickly grew into a larger collaboration with a visual art collective, Jamm Gallery. We believe art and music naturally coincide, as both have the power to tell stories and bring people together. Through this partnership, we’ve been able to feature visual art curated by Jamm Gallery, live music performances, and a rotation of small businesses vending at each event. Bringing these art forms together has allowed both communities to discover new artists and support one another.
This project is especially meaningful to us because, as artists ourselves, we understand firsthand how difficult it can be to build a platform and find opportunities to perform or showcase creative work. “Art in Bloom” represents more than just an event series, it’s a space where growth can begin. The purpose is reflected in the name itself: we aim to foster a growing community where artists can connect, share their talents, and feel supported as they develop their craft.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Klaudia: I’ve been involved in music for over 10 years, starting as an instrumentalist. The first instrument I learned was the flute at the age of 9. I later decided to pursue music education at Montclair State University, where I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. During college, my main focus was growing as a flautist. However, after graduating, I decided to learn how to DJ.
As I continued to develop my skills and meet new people through DJing, I became more interested in curating my own events. Victoria and I are close friends who first met in high school band, and a few years into college, we began to grow even closer. As musicians, we both wanted more spaces where we could perform that weren’t too far from where we live.
Eventually, we came together and threw our first event, called “Heat Wave,” featuring local DJs. Shortly after, we hosted our first live music event, “Art in Bloom,” which featured local bands, visual artists, and vendors. As we continue to curate events, we are meeting amazing creatives who are willing to help bring these experiences to life. Our team is slowly growing, and we are incredibly grateful for those who support us in both big and small ways.
Victoria: Music is my entire life, literally. I grew up with a mom who sings, a dad who used to perform and write reggaeton and rap music, and an older brother who is a pianist, producer, and composer and owns a studio. Even if I wanted to escape music, I couldn’t. I have played clarinet in band since 4th grade, and I met Klaudia through band in high school.
In the mix of all that, I would write poetry and raps. I didn’t start recording music until COVID hit, and since then, I’ve been focusing more on making and recording music. Klaudia and I reconnected in 2024 through our closest friend, and ultimately we started cooking up the concept of VK MGMT.
We’re good friends with several musicians, artists, DJs, and performers, which led us to wanting to support each other. This is why we started hosting events for new and upcoming artists. The motto behind this was, “If we can’t find an opportunity, we’ll create one.”
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Non-creatives may struggle to understand the motivation and passion that drive us to continue promoting the arts, even when it’s difficult to make a full-time career out of music. Both of us work full-time jobs, yet we still dedicate our time to curating events for musicians and promoting ourselves as individual artists. We do this because of our deep passion for music and our desire to create a space where artists can feel supported and have a community to express themselves in.
When building a community, we strongly believe that connections are key. People may underestimate the importance of networking with everyone you come across, because you never know how you might support each other and grow. Small conversations can turn into big opportunities. We have met many people in different spaces who are musicians, artists, curators, sound engineers, producers, and more. Many of these individuals have become close friends, and we’re incredibly fortunate to know them because they have supported us throughout our journey of starting VK Management.
Connecting with local venues and businesses gave us the foundation and the space to launch our series of events. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because people are always looking for opportunities too, and you might end up helping others in the long run.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
In our view, society can best support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by increasing accessibility to opportunities, resources, and spaces where artists can grow and share their work. As artists and creatives, we both believe that all individuals, regardless of background, should have equal opportunities to develop their skills and showcase their talents. As a music educator, Klaudia also recognizes that community workshops, lessons, and mentorship programs are powerful ways to support an artist’s development. However, the cost of these programs can often limit how musicians learn and refine their craft. Providing more free or low-cost access to these opportunities can have a meaningful impact on emerging artists and help sustain a stronger creative community.
We have also seen how challenging it can be to find accessible venues and shared spaces, especially for creatives who are just starting out. Many talented individuals want to showcase their work, but large, well-known venues are often too costly. Since many creatives work regular jobs to fund their passion, the additional expense of hosting an event can create significant financial strain. Expanding the availability of affordable spaces would allow more artists to present their work publicly and build confidence in their abilities.
Together, we believe society needs to make a shift from competition to community. As artists ourselves, we understand how difficult it can be to put yourself out there, build a platform, and pursue creative goals. Supporting one another, rather than competing, helps strengthen the entire ecosystem. This belief is one of the main reasons we began hosting shows in different parts of New Jersey to give local artists more opportunities to perform, connect, and grow within their own communities.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Amanda Santiago “Jamm Gallery”
Victoria Lopez “VK MGMT”