Shley - Creating Charm in a Changing City

How many people can say that their “favorite thing” about their business is “being able to take agency over the charm and uniqueness of Salt Lake City?” Shley Kinser, a fourth generation sign painter and muralist shares, “It's really special and I take it super seriously. Especially, as Salt Lake City is getting gentrified and corporatized in so many ways. We’re continuously losing our points of charm and individuality. The police brutality murals just got torn down. The pickle factory just got torn down. My own family business, Schmidt Signs, just got torn down.”

A quick look through Shley’s portfolio of signwork and murals is bound to reveal at least one familiar installation, from a local business they’ve adorned. Shley prides themself on gaining the trust of their clients and being able to influence the experience of everyone living in Salt Lake City. “In my murals, I try to be really conscious of the viewer and the people who live there. I just think it's really important to take responsibility for where you live and try to impact it in a meaningful way. I feel really privileged to be able to do that. 
It's something that's super important to me. I'm Salt Lake City, born and bred.”

Growing up, Shley considered what it might look like to move away from Salt Lake City. As a “secular human” being raised in an “oppressive religious state”, there’s an understandable motivation for Shley to live somewhere where their values feel more aligned. “...Or there's a flip side, do I stay and continue to help make it cool?” “Because if we're not here, helping, or resisting, then all of a sudden, the place you once loved and knew disappears into something that you don't really recognize.”

Authenticity and autonomy have been a driving force in Shley’s family for generations. Shley’s great grandfather lived in Germany as the Nazis were coming to power. The Nazis approached him to turn his sign shop into a garment manufacturing facility, so he packed up his things and emigrated to New York. He sign painted his way through the states, until he came to Utah, fell in love with a Mormon girl, and started a new sign shop.

Both Shley and her great grandfather have used their art and sign painting skills, as a form of resistance. “Sometimes I feel like within capitalism, it's really hard to make ethical choices. I feel like doing my art almost made my personality into my job. It just feels like the most ethical move for me to make within this system that we live in; where I get to make money, but also provide a service that is meaningful to the community. 
It just feels like the most honest, most authentic way that I can do it.”

“A lot of times we feel like we don't have a lot of control, like people have more influence and power. I've really learned that art can help to change the world. I know it's very trope-y, but I think it actually can. Every person that puts energy into doing their superpower to the best of their ability, even though it's a small change, if we're all doing that, it'd be a huge change. 
I am really committed to doing my superpower to the best of my ability.” 

Shley encourages fellow artists to be themselves and to not “try to fit into any other box.” “There's a lot of expectations for artists. I feel like being palatable is a thing that we're all really forced into, but I actually think it's a longer road. The more you remain true to yourself, the more of a following that you'll get over time, and the engagement that you'll get is actually real engagement. People will actually be into you.”

Shley continues, “Oftentimes, people don't buy your art because they like your art. They follow your narrative and they buy your art because they like you. 
They invest in you. So, the more you can just really lean into yourself, and produce work that makes your spirit sing, I think people will get it; they see that. 
They feel it in the work.” 

Further encouraging that not everyone will be the right fit for you or your art, but the right people will find you. Shley believes this deeply because it has happened for them “a million times over.” “I'm just huge about authenticity. If you don't pour your own spirit into your work, it just isn't worth anything.”

Shley has found solace in Salt Lake City by “uniting the weirdos.” “The little freak group, where everybody goes super hard. They're super talented. They're open to feedback. 
They want constrictive criticism. They're down to teamwork. They'll push you on your own project; they'll come play with you on your project. The [Salt Lake City] community can't really be beat.” 

To know Salt Lake City and its people, is an act of loving unconditionally, despite all the quirks and opportunities for growth. “There’s a lot of injustice in the world; the more we can help each other and love, to the best of our abilities, is so important.” “Please do your superpower! 
We really need it.” 

Connect with Shley Kinser: 

Instagram: @tiny_shley