Into+View Gallery Showcases Under-Represented Talent
Kinya Christian Aspires to Engage, Educate, and Enlighten  

This is one in a series of articles that focuses on the people behind the businesses in Downtown Rogers. 

"The first quarter of 2022 went by like a blink of the eye—no different than the previous year, in fact." That was the response of artist and gallery owner, Kinya Christian, when asked about the one-year anniversary of Into+View Gallery and Studio. The journey began in December, 2020, when she was featured in episode 9-season two of HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous." As her art made it to the small screen, confidence in her craft grew, and she realized she could accomplish a significant goal that had been brewing for quite some time.

Christian had dreamed of creating a space for artists who are emerging, underrepresented, and who look like her. "INTO+VIEW is the art space I wished existed when I moved here in 1999," she explained. "A gallery and work space that would be welcoming to me as a black woman, provide representation, and a safe space to express myself creatively."

INTO+VIEW, located at 300 N 2nd Street, Suite A, serves as vehicle for establishing critical context connections, solidarity, and a sense of community for the artists by means of exhibitions, musical performances, shared art experiences featuring culinary arts, and resident artists’ workshops. To celebrate her 1st year as the owner of a black, woman owned art gallery in NW Arkansas, Christian is hosting a one year anniversary reception and ribbon-cutting at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in advance of the May Art on the Bricks Art Walk. 

Christian is no stranger to Downtown Rogers. She has provided creative content to Arkansas Public Theatre for more than 20 years.  More recently she curated "The Reflections of the Black Experience" exhibit in 2020. It originated at the Rogers Experimental House and was so well received that she kept it going--first at the Rogers Historical Museum and next at the Fenix Gallery in Fayetteville. The exhibit became the first exhibition when Christian opened INTO+VIEW at the end of April, 2021. The first year for the gallery offered a whirlwind of creative experiences, including a Guest Artist Series and Paint the Terroir wine tasting and landscape painting experiences, culminating in another “Fixer to Fabulous” appearance and receipt of a Mid- America Arts Alliance Artist 360 grant.

Packed within first quarter 2022 “blink”--Christian became a Black Action Collective honoree for her contributions as a professional artist. She curated the third iteration of the Reflections of the Black Experience art exhibition in her Downtown Rogers gallery. She also hosted the Rogers Short Film Festival filmmakers and VIP reception while highlighting Black-owned wineries in California and Oregon. She collaborated with the Minority Mountain Bikers Association in a space curated with her artwork, worked with Crystal Bridges as an artist for their Drink and Draw and Art by the Glass series. Christian became the subject of several University of Arkansas journalism students’ profiles, was selected for the Arkansas Democrat Gazette High Profile pages, and became part of St. Louis-based photojournalist Stephen Kennedy’s documentary photography called Cross Country Camera. (www.crosscountrycamera.com).

"I have a feeling the remaining months of 2022 will go as a blink, too," remarked Christian. Scheduled activities include the continuation of her Guest Artist Series, exploration of Italy’s unique wine terroir and landscapes, and a celebration of Black Music Month. Christian is also delving into a short film project in Northwest Arkansas, which will provide her with a first time opportunity at film direction.  She also has ideas for a mural or two, and a trip to Tampa to take the next level (level 2/certification) test with the Court of Master Sommeliers. As Christian continues to talent-stack her way through 2022, who knows what else she will bring INTO VIEW. Don't Blink or you might miss it!