Local artist Kimberly Young doesn’t just create works of art – she recreates the space around her.
She works in Tillet Gardens selling art supplies, working on drawings, mixed media and ceramic pieces, but she also creates what she calls a concept gallery, a place to showcase themed collaborations between Young and other local artists.
“Every time I do I show, I reinvent the entire space,” she said. “The whole gallery becomes an art piece.”
For a fairy-tale themed show she painted a yellow-brick road, she said. Once, to showcase a drawing she had done of a boat, she painted waves on the wall behind it.
Young moved to St. Thomas from Wisconsin almost nine years ago. She had been working as a waitress and arrived on island with just a one-way ticket and a few suitcases. Living here has definitely influenced her work, she said.
“The subject matter, the color palate has mainly been from the Caribbean and from my surroundings,” she said, adding that she is most fascinated by the small details found outdoors here.
“There are definitely certain themes that I’ve used for years – I’ve used a lot of repetition and pattern. Nature, trees — that’s what I’ve been focusing on lately.”
Young said the artists’ community that Tillet Gardens creates is also a big source of inspiration. The nearby music school and theatrer she said, give the place a whimsical feel.
“It’s inspiring being around different kinds of artists. I’m lucky. It’s nice because all of us artists kind of feed off of each other.”
Young’s next showing will be July 24. The theme is “dream in green,” and it will be all about the environment. Young said she is sending out invitations in handmade envelopes made out of recycled magazines. Also showing will be a photographer who will tackle the theme of pollution in St. Thomas, a mixed-media artist who works using recycled and repurposed elements and a D.J. who will show new ways to recycle and remix beats.
Young’s gallery and art supply store are located in Tillet Gardens in Anna’s Retreat. Store hours are 10 am through 5 pm Monday through Saturday. On Thursdays the store is open until 8 pm. She can be found online at http://www.everydayclayvi.com.
