Meet Elijah Wade | Community Organizer

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

Hi Elijah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I never actually had the idea to start my own business. It came to me by appreciating art and wanting to share it with people without them having to pay a lump sum. I took all the art pieces i had in my room and brought them to the park and asked people to donate for the pieces or take them for free. The next week i brought out art supplies and asked people if they would like to paint n sit with me. From there, is how Paint N Sit ATL was born.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I actually started making art about 4 years ago when i was in college. At the time i was on a whole different career path, following my dream at the time to play professional basketball. I was making art in my free time however it wasn’t until i was out of school that i found the passion all over again for creation. I was hosting small sip n paints at my house and gathered a small gallery that i had on the alls of my room. From there, i saw how creative expression brings us all together and started using his method to bring strangers together. The first year was difficult, we started with just 5 people, no Ig, no social media, and slowly grew to a filling over over 5,000 on IG and 20,000 on tiktok. Finding is always my biggest concern since every event i come out of pocket and ask for donations through social media platforms. We have been running Paint N Sit ATL every weekend since march and are blessed to have had he resources to provide. However, as of recently, money has been tight so finding sponsors to help with the supplies is CRUCIAL. What i want the world to know about Paint N Sit is that art is love. Creating, whatever it is , takes vulnerability, self expression, Peace and love. Creating a space where all of these things can flourish is what sets PNS apart from everything else, and that’s is complete FREE!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love being outside so if a friend of mine was visiting, i would take them on a morning hike to Roswell Mill, Have some much at The halal guys, a mediterranean spot that is so good. Have a walk on the atlanta beltline , a stop for some frozen yougurt and maybe a ride on the ferris wheel to end the day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve got to firstly Thank God for giving me the download to make my vulnerability through art a superpower for me to share with the world. Also my children, Malikai and Israel , my inspirations, and the Paint N Sit Team, always helping me stay focused , prepared, and loved.

Instagram: Paintnsitatl

Other: Tiktok: paintnsitatl