Fast-forward to 2021, the collective has grown, artists are making money! 

However, with everything re-opening, I came to realize that my ability to oversee the shop was going to be spread thin. That, and some issues with our previous host, Shopify, led me to ultimately decide to hit a hard reset. The shop was closed and then I rebuilt our platform here. 

I'm sure on the outside it seems silly for someone to spend so much time investing in other artists and supporting them rather than supporting myself. However, I recognize my privilege.

I am in a fortunate position where I have a career outside of art and

 the time and knowledge to invest in community engagement & connection. 

I think the most impressive thing to come out of the collective in 2021 was to see how many different artists could come together and support each other in a virtual space. I was always so skeptical of how difficult something like that could be considering the capitalist, competitive, fend-for-yourself nature of art promotion on social media. But I now firmly believe that when you build the space for people to use, they will come and use it well. 

So, what's next? 

My hope is to continue sharing resources and curating & publishing zines.

But I want to continue to encourage the collaborative nature of

Keep It Weird so I invite you to participate! 

If you have artwork you'd like to have reviewed, you write your own reviews, have an idea for a zine, or if you have resources to share, send me an email and we can work together and

get it here on the blog. 

Until then, y'all have a safe & happy new year!

-Mild Pain