Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ariel Adkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ariel, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My purpose started taking shape long before I knew I’d build a life bridging art and community. I grew up as the only child of a single mother who was an artist, and even when she was juggling three jobs, she always found ways to keep creativity at the center of our world. If I felt left out because I didn’t have what other kids had, she’d teach me how to make something even more meaningful. That was my first lesson in the power of art: it could transform circumstances, emotions, even identity and self-worth.
Just as important was the community around us. My mom built relationships, and those connections became our safety net. I learned early that art doesn’t thrive in isolation. It becomes richer when it’s shared, when it sparks conversation, when it brings people together.
Those lessons shaped me not only as an artist, but as someone who believes deeply in art’s ability to create connection. What began as a personal practice has become something that lives in dialogue with others. Through Artfully Awear, my work isn’t confined to a canvas or garment — it’s an invitation. Each painted piece, collaboration, and wearable artwork is designed to spark interaction and reflection.
Over time, I’ve learned that the community around the work is part of the work itself. Whether someone sees themselves in a hand-painted garment or engages with the process behind the making of a sculpture, that exchange expands the meaning far beyond my original intention.
For the past 15 years, I’ve used online platforms to amplify that connection — from my early days of blogging, to growing communities on social media, to building Twitter’s first arts engagement program. My purpose has always been the same: to show what becomes possible when we experience art together. To make creativity feel accessible, participatory, and alive.
What started as a way for me to understand the power of art has become a way for others to feel it, too. That thread still guides everything I create today.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My company, Artfully Awear, is a space where I explore how art, storytelling, and community can transform the way we see ourselves and the world around us. My work spans wearable art, large-scale sculpture, community-centered activations, and creative direction for purpose-driven organizations. No matter the medium, my focus is the same: creating experiences that spark connection and make art feel alive and accessible.
I’ve been working at the intersection of art, community, and technology, for the past 15 years, launching Twitter’s first global arts engagement program and building creative communities across digital and physical spaces. Today, I also consult as a creative director, helping mission-driven brands and nonprofits bring their values to life through art, narrative design, and community engagement.
This year, I brought to life my first large-scale public artwork, Cocoon, a monumental dress/dwelling that held space for the stories of women throughout history. I’m continuing to collaborate with museums and cultural partners while expanding Artfully Awear into new sculptural, experiential, and community-driven projects. At its core, my work is rooted in one belief: art is a powerful connector — and when people are invited into the process, it can create meaning far beyond the work itself.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Curiosity
Curiosity has guided everything I’ve created. It’s what pushed me to experiment with new mediums, explore technology as a tool for connection, and stay open to ideas that come from unexpected places. For anyone early in their journey, nurture your curiosity by following the threads that spark your interest, even if they don’t seem “useful” yet. The creative path is rarely linear, and curiosity is what helps you discover your voice.
2. Community-Building
My work lives in dialogue with the people who engage with it. Understanding how to build and care for community — how to listen, collaborate, and create space for others — has been essential. If you’re just starting out, think of community not as an audience, but as participants in your practice. Share your process, ask questions, invite people in. The connections you build will shape your work in ways you can’t predict.
3. Adaptability
Working at the intersection of art and technology has taught me to adapt constantly. New tools, new platforms, and new forms of expression always emerge, and being willing to learn and evolve has kept my work fresh and expansive. For those early in their journey, don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Try things, iterate, and let each experiment teach you something. Growth comes from staying flexible and responsive to the world around you.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always looking for new partners and collaborators, and love partnerships where we can challenge each other.
On the creative direction side, I’m looking to work with mission-driven brands, nonprofits, and organizations that believe in the power of storytelling and community. I love collaborating on campaigns, programs, and creative concepts that invite people in, spark emotion, and move culture forward. If you’re looking for someone to ideate, concept, and produce meaningful creative work, I’d love to connect.
Artistically, I’m also excited to partner with people who can help me take my practice into new spaces, especially dance, theater, and performance. I love the idea of designing for movement and letting clothing become an extension of the body. Ballet, in particular, has always inspired me, and I’m eager to explore collaborations where my visual language can come alive on stage. I am also looking to build the next iteration of Cocoon, responding to a site with complex histories and an opportunity for community engagement.
If you’re interested in collaborating, you can reach me at [email protected] or connect with me on Instagram at @artfullyawear.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arieladkins.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfullyawear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Artfully-Awear-100054354892697/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-adkins-65862425/
- Twitter: https://x.com/artfullyawear
Image Credits
Allison Chipak, Tim Kovolenko, Gina Tatianna, Jake Kruty
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
