COMMUNITY ART
Keep Art It!
I
written by //Kabbo Hue Ferdinand
found a curious case the other day and could not help but appreciate the irony in it. I was walking around The Galleries shopping centre and found an art gallery, Keep Art It inside. I found it peculiar, walked inside, loved it and now I’m a resident artist preparing for an exhibition in January 2022.
Tell us about Keep Art It. I am Douglas Karson. I am the founder and director of Keep Art It. KAI has the simple mission of sharing art with as many people as possible. Making art has helped me heal, cope and hope through the worst times of the pandemic and my life
The Galleries in general. Keep Art It was born as a beacon to share the inherent good that art creates in a world that is so full of pain.
All photos were taken by Douglas.
Well, this story is not about me[sic]. It’s about how an artist visioned, dreamed, seeked, planned and created an opportunity for himself and other artists. He’s now living his dream and running a vibrant, eclectic, multidisciplinary arts gallery stocked with amazing artists’ paintings, sculptures and, of course, me. All jokes aside, here’s a few words from the visionary himself.
6
A gallery inside
What is the state of the Arts scene now? The art scene post pandemic is, like most things, in massive flux. This is scary but also an amazing opportunity to re-write the rules of the game. I am so excited to see so many people engaging with art for the first time. A lot of people turned to creation during the pandemic as a way to deal with anxiety and help their mental health. Additionally, as so much business is in flux, high streets are suffering, it is a great time for art and makers to shine like beacons of hope on what can be done to fix and add value to some of these pressing issues. Why The Galleries for your gallery? The Galleries is perfect for the location and opportunity it offers in an opportune time. The management team, led by David Wait, has been unbelievably supportive and they need us as much as we need them.
