In 2012, I took a step out and exhibited for the first time at Labourlove Gallery in Durham, NC.

 

I painted for many years as an outlet for my own creative voice during two decades of professional, non-profit work where I was writing about and for other people and organizations. Artist Kelly Dew, co-owner of Labourlove Gallery, urged me to exhibit after seeing my work. She also became my first artistic mentor. I continued to paint, and  then transitioned to small business owner in 2013, opening a coffee/retail shop in Greensboro, NC, called The People's Perk, where I also had an art studio. The People's Perk centered art and community, and served as home to the Wonderful Women and Fabulous Femmes mural, created in partnership with Greensboro Mural Project, and nearly 200 customer self portraits. 

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2019 offered two major changes: I closed the shop after six years; and second, I received a scholarship to study at The Penland School of Craft -- a 100 year-old, internationally-recognized center for creatives in western North Carolina.

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One change meant the end of an era; the other fed and nurtured by artistry in ways that continue to unfold. You can read my artist statement + exhibition list for a deeper dive into how I approach my artwork. 

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Since I also had a studio space within my coffee shop,  art-making in a public setting and creative expression with and around people embedded in my art practice. I also believe all people fundamentally have a creative spirit and I love to encourage that expression by art-making in community.  As a result, I started a community service effort called Public Art Practice (PAP) and hosted 60 free art-making sessions + Open Studios from September 2019 - March 2020 at Deep Roots Market, Greensboro's only community-owned grocery store and cafe, and two art talk/community painting events at the Greensboro Public Library. That art-venture led to an invitation to be Artist in Residence from December of 2020to August 2021 at the Center For Visual Artists in downtown Greensboro and a Kenan Fellowship in June 2021 to launch the Neighborhood Arts program for the newly formed Creative Greensboro, the city's office for arts and culture.

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I continue to work, now full-time, for Creative Greensboro as an arts administrator. Neighborhood Arts has now brought more than 35 pieces of art and hundreds of arts experiences close to home in neighborhoods across Greensboro. My passion for creativity and community continues to thrive and guide my path.

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Thank you for visiting karenarchia.com. Interested in purchasing art? Check out my Frequently Asked Questions. Or, head over to my online print shop.

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