Kendra Barth is #MadeForKnoxville.

Kendra makes a lot of art. At first, it would all pile up until she had to find homes for her pieces. But, eventually, she realized that they were perfectly capable of finding their own homes — she wasn’t the only person who liked her work, for good reason. 

Blanket Fort Studio is the compilation of Kendra’s “candy colored” childhood memories, a desire to be constantly doing and an effort to forge her own story. While the sense of childlike wonder often gets lost in the mix of life, Kendra’s abundance of colorful, quirky creations are an extension of that exact feeling. Who knows, when you take home a piece of her art you may even be inspired to build your own blanket fort. 

“Working as a super small, one person business is hard but the support, business, and opportunities Knoxville creates for its makers is what allows me to do what I really want to do. Blanket Fort Studio exists because of the wonderful city I live in.”

In Their Own Words..

Knoxville allowed me to be the maker I’ve always wanted to be. 

I have always excelled in multidisciplinary art, sculpture, and painting. All of my professors in college encouraged me to pursue painting but I never felt comfortable making the leap because I was terrified to be the “starving artist” stereotype, as I had been struggling to even finish school financially ( a long 7-year financial struggle). So I buckled down on design and made my own art on the side. I graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from West Texas A and M University. I then moved to Knoxville in 2014 (after living in Texas my whole life), and worked as a GD for years making art for other people. 

So, I make alot of art and I mean a lot, drawings, jewelry, pottery, paintings, collages… And it all collects and I’d give it away. I did my first craft fair a few years ago and turns out other people like my art. I’ve been putting myself out there more and more since then and not only does Knoxville provide a lot of opportunities but supports me and my work, as well. Working as a super small, one person business is hard but the support, business, and opportunities Knoxville creates for its makers is what allows me to do what I really want to do. Blanket Fort Studio exists because of the wonderful city I live in.

If I could share anything with younger people it’s that not everything you work hard for comes right away. I’m in my mid-thirties now and only now am I able to do what I truly want to do. All of that struggle and experience adds up and not only makes you who you are but also makes you a smarter and better entrepreneur. 

Knoxville can keep seeing my weird colorful art pop up around town for as long as I am living and able.

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