Meet The Neighbors: Jennifer Kahrs Of The Shadowbox Shop

We first met neighbor Jennifer Kahrs several month ago, after we spotted her adorable cat basking in the storefront window of  The Shadowbox Shop (491 6th Avenue, between 11th and 12th Street). As a founding member of Project Amelia, the South Slope artist has made it her mission to raise awareness of illness without insurance in our country, and we’ve spent most of our relationship helping her spread the word of this inspiring organization. The time has come, though, to focus some much deserved attention on Jennifer.

We caught up with our neighbor last weekend to chat about her history, The Shadowbox Shop, and some changes that are on the horizon.

SSN: First of all, tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you lived here in South Slope?

JK: I’m originally from Charleston, South Carolina and have been framing to earn tubes of paint for the past 15 years. I’ve been working in the Slope for most of the past ten years — I moved back to Brooklyn in 2004 to finish a degree in Painting at Pratt — while studying, I managed a frame shop on Union Street called NuNu Gallerie. After graduation, I left the Slope briefly for a job in Chelsea and returned when I started my first wood shop nearly three years ago. I’ve adored my shop, which was a family owned print press for 3 generations before me.

Have you always known you would focus your career on art?

Momma Kahrs would say yes, the signs always pointed to a life long pursuit of art. I am a painter, a frame maker and a supporter of all things handmade.

What is The Shadowbox Shop?

The Shadowbox Shop is my wood shop, my studio, and my home on Sixth Avenue. My production specializes in working with exhibiting artists helping them refine their finishing decisions. The shadowbox itself, is the most contemporary style of framing. I build mine from scratch, from natural woods like maple and cherry that I spline and then finish by hand. I am kind of a geek for all styles of quality framing, mounting, and production design.

We hate to hear this, but the shop is going to be moving, correct?

Yes. It’s a very New York moment, 491 Sixth Avenue has recently been purchased and is scheduled to be renovated into condominiums starting early this Fall.

Are you going to try and find another location in South Slope?

I did try to stay local – the signs are pointing to no for the South Slope. I am currently entertaining several very rad ideas and will let you know where I land when the ink dries. Though I’m sad to go, I am sure that this move will lead to an epic new shop adventure.

While we still have you here on 6th Ave, what can we expect from the shop?

So long as I am here, you can expect to see me working. Coming soon, I’ll be showing new works by all of the Project Amelia artists in my window and from now until August 15th I’m offering deep discounts and fast turnarounds on frames built from stock materials.

Tell us about the Project Amelia prints that will soon be available.

Project Amelia is currently in the process of releasing prints by 20 award winning photographers. These photographers have generously donated their work to support fellow photographer friend and neighbor, Amelia Coffaro, as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer. The solidarity the photo community has shown has given Amelia great hope and courage and those of us behind Project Amelia could not be more in awe at the support that is pouring in from all over the country. The prints are being donated by our sister shop and favorite collaborator – Fiber Ink Studio. You can see all of the images with their availability dates at http://www.projectamelia.org/donate and you can reserve your favorite by making a $125 donation at http://www.giveforward.com/projectamelia.

What advice would you give someone hoping to make their living in art?

It’s a tough market for artists entering the art world. To anyone brave enough to work the system, I’d say, forget what society defines as normal and follow your dreams, be nice to people, and look forward to your ten thousandth production hour. After you’ve reached that moment — you know what you’re doing.

Anything else that you’d like the world (well, South Slope) to know that we’ve left out?

Just a simple thank you for the love, support, and excitement for art ya’ll have shown me and my friends.

For more information on the Shadowbox Shop’s services, email Jennifer at jennifer.kahrs@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page.

Photo via Jennifer Kahrs