Kevin King is a native of Mobile, Alabama. He, his wife Nicole and daughter Kaiya currently reside in Montgomery, Alabama. Kevin and his family live in the Washington Park neighborhood and their passion is to love, serve, and share life with others for the purpose of transformation and redemption as leaders are developed and empowered in their community.
In 2013, Kevin’s wife and daughter gifted him art supplies for Father’s Day. Nicole’s statement to Kevin boldly suggested that she was officially taking away his excuses not to create. That following July Kevin’s wife broke her wrist and he played nurse for a full week after the surgery. He got bored during the times that Nicole rested, so he decided to put those paint supplies to use. After re-engaging in the arts after sixteen years Kevin found a new place of freedom and peace in using his creative talents. Kevin desires for all creatives to experience joy, freedom and the benefits that he receives when he creates. He is a selfless individual who relentlessly opens doors for others once he realizes that others do not have the same opportunities.
Kevin King studied at Tuskegee University.
The King’s Canvas is a non-profit studio/gallery in west Montgomery, Alabama. The King’s Canvas was founded by Kevin King and has its focus providing a creative space and resources for underexposed and underdeveloped artists in the Montgomery, Alabama community.
While downtown Montgomery Alabama is exploding with art activity and an abundance of resources, evidence has shown that several artists, (particularly in West Montgomery and other areas on the margin of the city) lack formal networks, access to tools, and affordable spaces to freely create or display their work. Furthermore, many of these artists have not received the formal entrepreneurial training, life skill development training, affordable studio rentals, and exhibition space needed for their talents to thrive.
The King’s Canvas provides artists on the West Side and other areas on the margins of the city with comparable resources so they too can thrive from their talents. Creative Placemaking strategies are positioning The King’s Canvas to cultivate economic development in West Montgomery, which will have positive outcomes in the health and public safety of the community.
Providing access and opportunities to underdeveloped artists is our goal. We believe if we create an environment where equitable practices are implemented, it will be mutually beneficial to our city as well as the artist. The King’s Canvas is a first step in preparation of connecting under resourced artists with more opportunities in the broader art community in Montgomery. These opportunities combat poverty, lack of education, lack of resources and mental health. Connectivity in our city, state, nation and the world is what is needed to propel their work or their brand.
