13 x 24 inches, acrylic on canvas
Acrylic on Metal

This piece is both a personal nod and an acknowledgment of someone whose presence in Pittsburgh’s creative landscape has been nothing short of transformative. D.S. Kinsel is an artist, educator, and co-founder of @boomconcepts — a gallery, art space, and activist hub rooted in Garfield, dedicated to developing artists and creative entrepreneurs from marginalized communities. BOOM stands as more than a space of representation; it’s a space of care, celebration, and love for under-recognized artists — an ongoing, living dialogue between art and community.

Since meeting @dskinsel, I’ve admired the consistency of his message and the integrity of his practice. Whether he’s gluing small green army figures into public spaces, repeating messages through hearts, or exploring identity and ancestry through his Bones series, Kinsel’s work operates as both mirror and megaphone. It reflects the lived realities of Black experience in Pittsburgh while amplifying calls for Black love, visibility, and power — something this city deeply needs more of.

What inspires me most is his belief that art is not an isolated act, but a civic one. Kinsel reminds us that artists are our neighbors — that creativity is a responsibility as much as it is a gift. His work, both individually and through BOOM, challenges institutions to do better, and communities to look closer. He has turned art into an engine for dialogue, resilience, and connection.

This homage, Cultural Agitator, honors that relentless drive. It celebrates an artist who continues to make space — not just for himself, but for others — and who asks for nothing more than that we question, listen, and find deeper meaning in this wild existence. His example reminds me why art matters: because it makes us remember, reckon, and, ultimately, reach toward each other.

13 x 24 inches, acrylic on canvas
Acrylic on Metal

This piece is both a personal nod and an acknowledgment of someone whose presence in Pittsburgh’s creative landscape has been nothing short of transformative. D.S. Kinsel is an artist, educator, and co-founder of @boomconcepts — a gallery, art space, and activist hub rooted in Garfield, dedicated to developing artists and creative entrepreneurs from marginalized communities. BOOM stands as more than a space of representation; it’s a space of care, celebration, and love for under-recognized artists — an ongoing, living dialogue between art and community.

Since meeting @dskinsel, I’ve admired the consistency of his message and the integrity of his practice. Whether he’s gluing small green army figures into public spaces, repeating messages through hearts, or exploring identity and ancestry through his Bones series, Kinsel’s work operates as both mirror and megaphone. It reflects the lived realities of Black experience in Pittsburgh while amplifying calls for Black love, visibility, and power — something this city deeply needs more of.

What inspires me most is his belief that art is not an isolated act, but a civic one. Kinsel reminds us that artists are our neighbors — that creativity is a responsibility as much as it is a gift. His work, both individually and through BOOM, challenges institutions to do better, and communities to look closer. He has turned art into an engine for dialogue, resilience, and connection.

This homage, Cultural Agitator, honors that relentless drive. It celebrates an artist who continues to make space — not just for himself, but for others — and who asks for nothing more than that we question, listen, and find deeper meaning in this wild existence. His example reminds me why art matters: because it makes us remember, reckon, and, ultimately, reach toward each other.