Meet AJ Kellie | Art Curator & Event Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with AJ Kellie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi AJ, how do you think about risk?
I don’t think about risk. Risk taking is the sole reason I am in the position I am in. The reason I became an art major in college, the reason I moved to New York and decided to start my own business. You can say it’s risk taking but I call it operating on faith.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am AJ Kellie and I run an art experience company in NYC . What sets me apart from others is my drive, passion and love for the arts and what excites me the most about what it is that I do is that I have the ability to work with super talented artists who eat, sleep and breathe their craft. I enjoy all aspects of the creative world writing, 3-D design, painting, drawing, culinary, photography, graphic design, and the list goes on. My art experiences bring all of these creative avenues together for one night of social networking. The journey here was not easy! When I first arrived in New York City I tried to get my own art into galleries by doing a lot of cold calls, walking around, and speaking to people in the industry but for me it was difficult to fall into the scene unless you know someone. During this time I worked two jobs to survive in NYC and my art career began to be an afterthought. One day I woke up and figured if no one would let me into the front door I’m coming in through the back. I came up with the idea to use my money up front to build the experience and staff it then wait for the people to come. My first event was a success financially then after that I reached out for help to a friend who was doing events as well and through him I was able to establish footing in creating events. Over the years there were plenty of obstacles to overcome like staffing, marketing, and transportation of goods. In cases like this It helps to build a team of creatives who specializes in these areas to help you and help them strengthen their talent. What I would want the world to know about me and my brand is that I am a believer in manifestation and that if you focus you can achieve anything. We believe in sharing the formula and taking care of those who support us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow a week that’s kind of long so many things can happen in a week. It also just depends on the friend but I’m a big foodie and an art lover so something in the area of that. Since I live in Bedstuy I would start in my neighborhood and I would take them to Tompkins Ave. it’s like a long street full of restaurants and store and on the weekends they block off the streets mostly in the summer so people can walk comfortably and have block parties. There are shops set up and street vendors is always super live. There’s a bar called BREW and it gives you an underground speakeasy feel but it’s above ground some of the best DJs play there hard-hitting Harry is one And the jerk man is outside with his huge drum full of jerk pork, chicken and salmon absolutely amazing. That corner alone is just full of culture and then you make your way down the street and there is this awesome eatery called Warude It’s a Japanese bowl and taco spot quirky but still tasty and very popular, they serve amazing ramen but they’ve been waiting in noodles from Japan for forever now I haven’t been back because of that !!Next block over another restaurant call Eugenes they have a great light bite menu and have literally the best sausage gravy and biscuits I feel like I’ve ever had and I am from Virginia, but that’s usually what I order when I get there and a nice crisp glass of sparkling white wine! On the same block is an amazing variety shop called Peace and Riot. Its like a small locally owned target as a neighborhood store that sell small and local brands. You could find household items like art candles, candle holders, books, personal items jewelry, clothing etc you can spend a good hour in there just browsing super random super artsy things I genuinely just like going in there and seeing what new stuff that they have. And to go a little further on the same block you have the Brown Butter Cafe, a cute computer coffee shop with tasty pastries, breakfast items and simple sandwiches.Just right next-door you have the great Peaches hothouse the only place in NYC to eat fried chicken. The crunch and the flavor, and we can guarantee there will always a be wait.

What happens next depends on if we make it out of the food coma I call Tompkins Ave. I would head downtown to have brunch and cocktails at Sweet Brooklyn. It is the livest brunch spot in Bedstuy, the DJ and the food is amazing also try a sangria with a shot of Hennessy, it will be just what the doctor ordered. Next is the Brooklyn moon and I have been going to the Brooklyn moon for 10 years now it’s one of the reasons I moved to New York. A staple in downtown Brooklyn everything on the menu is delicious I have literally had everything!! After all of that I would either head to Chelsea, Soho or the Lower east side because the galleries are in bunches and you can hop around. They each carry a different vibe so it depends on your flavor. First, just over the bridge is (LES) the lower east side which has a vibrant grungy vibe. There is always people parties bars and good food. Very similar qualities as Tompkins Ave. but more bars and galleries. My favorite galleries in LES is Perrotin and Richard Taittinger. Soho is fabulous and fancy with high end shopping and trendy eateries, my favorite gallery is Jeffery Dietrich. Last but not least, the Chelsea area is right on the water, there is a sense of high class living oozing from the west village, corporate offices with a mix of NYC public housing but is the most known area for galleries there are so many to choose but David Zwirner and Kasmin Gallery never dissapoints.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My late business partner, Danny Dakari. Definitely one of a kind and I am thankful to have worked beside him to create a business that we were both passionate about. Danny was a great son, husband, father, friend and business partner. I have always been a creative but our dynamic was unmatched. He was very creative, intelligent and brought an essence of love and greatness to all of his endeavors and the people he encountered. His energy can never be replaced only celebrated. Dakari means “happiness”, an energy we all should practice to maintain forever.

Website: https://aj-kellie.squarespace.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aj_kellie/

Image Credits
Calligrafist, D’angelo Slaughter, Amber James, Marcus Stevenson