What is Kianga Ellis Projects?

Also known as “KEP” Kianga Ellis Projects is a social practice program of interventions through events, exhibitions, performance, internet communication and historic building preservation.

The program has been featured internationally in print and film, including the New York Times, Japan Times, Huffington Post, New York Sun, Hyperallergic, Art21 Magazine, ABA Journal, Santa Fe Reporter and Wall Street Journal.

Instigated by Kianga Ellis in 2006 with Summer Art Circle and “Art Evangelist” missions 2009 -2010 in New York City, the program was codified as Kianga Ellis Projects in Santa Fe, New Mexico over the summer of 2011 (KEP1).

Engagements continued with exhibitions in Brooklyn, New York (2012, KEP2), a dematerlized presentations from Beacon, New York (2013), a project space for artist-conceived installations in Chelsea, New York (2013-2014, KEP3) and an outdoor conceptual exhibition featuring works from Kianga’s collection at KEP’s project house in Summit, New York (2024, KEP4).

In 2025, Kianga Ellis Projects initiated research and open-kimono public conversation on social media about creating the Rural Rapid Response Network and planning for a full-house installation exhibition “Origin Story” at KEP’s project in Deer Isle, Maine (2026, KEP5).

What is Symposium 28?

A regional biennial of dialogue organized by Kianga Ellis Projects in the Catskill Mountains, New York and Downeast Coast, Maine from September 15 - October 1, 2028.