Visual Artist
About
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 multi-disciplined artist 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: 1920’s-1930’s’ 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 she has created wardrobe for film, television and theater productions Feeding Beatrice (Aurora Fox), Happy to Be Nappy (Control Group Productions), Angry, Raucous & Shamelessly Gorgeous (Vintage Theater), Chasing Breadcrumbs (Local Theater), Black Nativity (Vintage Theater), The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks and Curls (Phamaly Theater), King Hedley III (Theatreworks UCCS), Lady M: Undone (Local Theatre), Toni Stone, Acts of Faith (Aurora Fox Theatre) and The Nacirema Society (Firehouse Theatre). She served as Dramaturg for Queens Girl In The World, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea (Aurora Fox), Steel Magnolias (Theatreworks UCCS) and August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean (Aurora Fox Theatre) as well as ongoing private commissions.
Learn more about her work by visiting her Instagram page at @we_must_grow.
