Holly-Kai (Kay) Hurd is a Visual Artist & Arts Educator.  Using textiles as her primary medium,  her work focuses on art as a means of time travel, preservation, and healing.  A “mixer of mediums” committed to the art of storytelling, Ms. Hurd is inspired by anthropology, the domestic arts, and culture which is reflected in her works as a Costume Designer, Dramaturg, and Writer.   

A Colorado native and graduate of Emerson College, Boston, she’s contributed work to The Black Love Mural Festival, RINO Mural Program, Denver Urban Arts Fund, and several Denver city exhibits. Ms. Hurd was instrumental in initiating the launch for performance art series, The ModVillian Project and  Fashion Theater.          

Under the pseudonym ‘Art Blaque’ , Ms. Hurd served as Curator for The Charles Cousins Gallery at The Blair Caldwell African-American Research Library curating over 36 shows, including ‘LIVE On The Canvas’:  A live interview platform and zine she founded, aimed at highlighting local artists and the Blaque Arts and business community.  

Over the years Ms. Hurd has worked with all ages and a host of organizations such as The WaShonaji African American Quilt Guild, Meow Wolf, The Denver Public Library, Denver Public Schools, The Gathering Place,  Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Gee Spot Cine Films (NY) and more.  Some of her classes include ‘Art Yoga’, ‘The Harlem Renaissance For Young People: 1920s-1930s’ and  ‘AfroFuturism in Fashion, Art & Film: We Are Who We Always Were’’.  

Her work has been published in ESSENCE Magazine (2020) and New York travel magazine Griots Republic (2018).  Under her label, wEmusTgRoW: Couture for Change Ms. Hurd has created wardrobe for film and television, Aurora Fox Theater productions ‘Queens Girl In The World’ and most recently ‘Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea’ along with ongoing private commissions.  

She currently teaches at The Art Students League of Denver where she also serves on the board.       Learn more about her work by visiting her Instagram page at  “we_must_grow” .