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Kenya K. Templeton

@kenya_templeton_does

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CHAMELEON OF CREATIVITY
DESIGN: @griot.designs fiber & decorative arts
PERFORM: @kenyatempletonperforms
TEACH: The Velo Griot & Sidala Learning Lounge

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

I am excited to announce that I am a 2026-2027 TapRoot Artist in Residence with @ncclimatejustice. I will be spending five days in the NC mountains learning how I can further my art practice to bring awareness and hopefully change to climate injustice.

My art practice centers around climate injustice as I grew up on a former landfill less than a quarter mile from a metal recycling plant. I have suffered and witnessed the negative health impact, so I am extremely honored that this is my first artist residency. I look forward to meeting the team and fellow artists as we collaboratively work to use art as a vehicle for transformation. by @kenya_templeton_does

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3 months ago

Yo, if you missed my show at @middlecjazz last week, I do not know what to tell you. This video is from an impromptu moment when someone yelled a song title, and @harveycummings kicked off the song—prompting @dontefowler1
and @javennbass5 to fall in line with the shenanigans. Folks erupted into singing, dancing, and cheering.

This is just one moment. There were many. We had a time last Wednesday! If you were there, please say a few words below to prove it. Tell your favorite moment.

*THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support live music and reminisce about the 80s.
*THANK YOU, Harvey, Donte, and Jay. Your professionalism, listening ears, and musicality showed up and showed out. The spontaneity gave way to great moments, and I appreciate that.
*The staff at Middle C Jazz were extremely hospitable and took great care of my band.

SAVE THE DATE:
Live Soulful House Music Birthday Day Party
Sat., Aug. 8, 2026
2 pm to 4 pm taken in Middle C Jazz by @kenya_templeton_does

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6 months ago

We had a time over there at the Mallard Creek Rec Center yesterday at the EXPLORE Concert Series presented by @dearsoulmusicco. This was a FREE Culture Blocks event sponsored by @asc and @meckparkrec.

The moment the audience realized I was singing "Bye Bye Blackbird" and began singing with me was so endearing. We sang together and had vulnerable moments. The concert was a reciprocal healing experience for all.

I take it seriously and have a personal mission to put my art forms in spaces where people have little to no access to the arts. So, I am always grateful for the invitation to participate when Arsena calls. Thank you so much for the opportunity.

Keys: @philliphowe
Bass: @burnsy.8
Drums: @kingnolii

🎥: @iamquentintalley
📸: @megangonzalezdesign taken in Mallard Creek Recreation Center by @kenya_templeton_does

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4 months ago

Y'all, there are too many really traditional Mexican restaurants for you to eat subpar gringo gentrified tacos. One of my fav spots is Ely Taqueria on North Tryon near Eastway.

They have tacos for $1.50 every Tuesday and Thursday. Both locations have a small amount of indoor seating. My favorite taco,lengua (beef tongue...don't knock it until you try it!), Is extra, so I get al pastor.

*Do not skip their horchata or aguas frescas.
*If you dine in, do not take a bite until the salsa rack arrives at your table.
*Do order the chips and salsa. taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @kenya_templeton_does

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2 days ago

I am a stickler about broth in my soup, especially pho. Recently, I have been battling several health issues and was caught out here in these streets with no homemade broth in my freezer. I had to dine out for my soup as a result.

I ended up trying @phogoodtimeasian for the first time. The decor was cheery, bright, and homey. Service was top-notch. Parking was easy. And the seafood pho broth was the best I have ever had. I almost ate the whole bowl without adding anything more than a scant amount of chili oil.

I know Charlotte has its favorite Vietnamese restaurant, but my overall favorite is Pho Van on South Blvd near Tyvola. I normally get the wonton soup or the vegetable pho pictured in the last two shots. Pho Van makes a chili oil with lemongrass that I wish they would sell by the bottle. I put some in everything I order from Pho Van. taken in pho good time Asian fusion by @kenya_templeton_does

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5 days ago

If you missed the first Chat and Craft in the Sidala Learning Lounge, you missed a really good time. We met new people while learning a new craft. Beautiful mug rugs, aka coasters, were made. Thank you so much to everyone who attended this event in the Sidala Learning Lounge in the VAPA Center.

The next Chat and Craft will be Saturday, Nov. 7, from 12 pm to 6 pm. You will be able to drop in anytime before 5 pm to do the craft.

What craft or creative skill would you like to learn? Put your suggestion in the comments. If I choose it, you will get your class for free! taken in The VAPA Center by @kenya_templeton_does

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10 days ago

Howdy 👋🏾! I made a bunch of bicycle inner tube earrings recently and will have them available for sale in the Sidala Learning Lounge at the @thevapacenter on the Lower Level, #54. I'll take custom requests if time permits and I have the materials.

This is in addition to the Craft and Chat if you want to get out of the house to do an activity that doesn't cost a fortune. I am asking $5 for an art print to color or materials to make a mug rug.

Feel free to share this flier or bring a friend or three.

CRAFT AND CHAT
GRIOT DESIGNS JEWELRY FOR SALE
VAPA Center, Lower Level, #54
700 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
FREE parking
12 pm to 6 pm taken in The VAPA Center by @kenya_templeton_does

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15 days ago

Hey, y'all. I am slowly returning to my art studio, and I want to invite you to make art with me in the Sidala Learning Lounge this Saturday. I will have supplies to color a mandala print or weave a mug rug (aka coaster). A suggested donation of $5 to cover supplies is requested

Do not fret if you do not have the funds right now. Come through anyway because stuff is high as hayell. I want everyone to have a chance to go out, enjoy themselves, and go home with a memento of the time spent.

This is during Open Studios at VAPA, so add time to walk the halls to meet local artists, see inside their studios, and see more local art in one space than you can find anywhere else in Charlotte.

FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS FLIER.

Sidala Learning Lounge
@thevapacenter, Lower Level
700 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Unit 54
FREE PARKING by @kenya_templeton_does

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16 days ago

What a difference a year makes! I am in constant gratitude that I do not look like what I have been through over the last year and a half with my health. Even with my recent gallbladder attack, I am healthier than I was at this time last year.

@photobro1 took pictures of me crossing Levine Avenue to participate in @homebasefilms CIAF Fellows presentation and panel discussion that I was a part of. I remember this day vividly, as my entire body ached. I puffed so many times on my inhaler that it is amazing that it still works.

I am breathing much better after addressing the stressors in my life. I had to let go of people and things that were detrimental to my health. Growth allowed me to stand up for myself, and I am overjoyed that I just walked across Levine today without my lungs feeling as if they were collapsing.

Life is too short. Let that pain and stress go! I do not care who or what it is. Let it go before it kills you.

Oh, and my picture is still on the side of the Knight Theatre facing Levine Ave. See the other area artist and I. Scan each QR code for a video about how our heritage and history influence our art practices. taken in Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts by @kenya_templeton_does

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19 days ago

It was my first time walking with a group in YEARS today because I get severe anxiety about others feeling that I am holding the group back due to my mobility issues and breathing problems due to Long COVID. We were up at it early while it was cool.

Nature was abundant in our downtown location. Couldn't beat $1.50 tacos for lunch to refuel. I tried to make it out with the salsa caddy. Ely Taqueria, 5100 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC. taken in Charlotte, North Carolina by @kenya_templeton_does

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25 days ago

A gallbladder attack is not for the weak. It is not as bad as kidney stones, but I can do without either ever again. Monday's event took me down, but not out. I'll find out tomorrow where I am in healing, but I know it is better when I cannot feel my organs through my plushiness when I press on my midsection and want to scream and punch someone at the same time.

So, if you are reaching out to ask anything of me, I can tell you the answer is no. I am in a season of focusing on me. I have helped other people and the community enough. Do not ask me when I am singing again. I'll let you know, as I always have here on social media. Do not ask me about Black history bicycle tours. I am on hiatus. Please do not send me a vending opportunity that is not art- or fully handmade-related. My work only does well in those settings.

Thank you to my sister circle who was ready to activate. When you are a parentified eldest daughter who has never been asked what you need without malicious intent, you become an adult who doesn't know how to answer the questions, "How can I help you? What do you need?" Luckily, my circle is patient with me. I love y'all better than play cousins. And one of you reached out to me, and I didn't respond. I apologize. It's been a rough month. Please forgive me.

In the meantime, while I am healing, I will be taking walks. If you want to join me on Tuesday mornings at Camp North End, let me know. I have missed my bicycles, so I will be tuning Brown Betty Carter tomorrow and riding her after work this weekend. EB will get a refresh next week. Once I am doing much better, Encyclopedia Brown Sugar will be tuned and back on the road. The hardtail, Blueberry Gordy, will not reappear until the spring. (If you do not get the humor or history of my bicycles' names, please go ahead and unfriend yourself.) I need to get in a lot better shape to ride off-road again. by @kenya_templeton_does

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a month ago

I'm vending in Downtown Concord today until 4 pm. You can find me in Booth 64 at the end of Cabarrus Avenue.

I’m excited to be one of the 90+ local artists and makers featured at Art Walk on Union in Downtown Concord! Come spend the day exploring local art, meeting artists, shopping handmade goods, enjoying live music, and experiencing everything Downtown Concord has to offer.

📆 Saturday, September 12
⏰ 11 AM–4 PM
📍 Downtown Concord, NC
I’ll be there showcasing [your artwork / medium / what you make], so be sure to stop by booth 64 and say howdy! 👋🏾

Art Walk on Union is presented by the Cabarrus Arts Council and the City of Concord & sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and Uwharrie Bank.

Learn more + plan your visit: artwalkonunion.org taken in Downtown Concord by @kenya_templeton_does

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a month ago