Since emerging in late 2009 as a sneaker customizer creating one of one custom hand painted sneaker designs, Dez the Artist and creative mind behind FlyKickz, has always been heavily inspired by art and sneakers since she was a child.
Since 2009 FlyKickz has exhibited custom sneakers throughout the Tristate area, participated in dozens of sneaker events, interviewed for several magazines and featured on numerous websites and social media platforms. In Dec 2016, FlyKickz art evolved from customizing sneakers to a very unique art form that had rarely been seen or done before. She took apart a pair of Air Jordan 11's creating a heart for her 1st video on Instagram. Cutting up sneakers and incorporating them into the canvas has become FlyKickz preferred medium. Having created and sold hundreds of canvases not only the U.S. but in Germany, Ghana and Switzerland, FlyKickz now specializes in disassembling upcycled sneakers to create works of art that exude a unique style and aesthetic appreciation.
FlyKickz concepts are a mesh of boldness, beauty & fun a clear reflection of an artist whose creative talents are both complex and changing.
2023
- FlyKickz Presents Youth Sneaker Customizing Workshop, Mercer County Community College Trenton Hall. Raised $6,000 for free youth workshop. Aug 2023
- The Social, Group Art Show, Trenton, NJ. Jul 2023
- Art Against Racism, Group Art Show, Stockton Education Center, Princeton, NJ. Jun 2023
- Art Jam, Princeton, NJ. May 2023
- Atmos Philadelphia, "Air Max Day" Group Art Show, Philadelphia, PA. Mar 2023
- Guest Presenter, Northeastern Province Kappa Leadership Conference, Kean University. Feb 2023
- Interview, Fox29 Philadelphia, “The 215 Show”. Jan 2023
- Mill Hill Saloon, Group Art Show, Trenton, NJ. Jan 2023
2022
- Passage Theatre, Group Art Show, Trenton, NJ. Dec 2022
- FlyKickz Carebags, Community Giveback/raised $1200, Trenton, NJ. Nov 2022
- Mercer County Community College, Group Art Show. Nov 2022
- Discussion Panel, Mercer County Community College. Nov 2022
- Trenton Public Library, Group Art Show. Oct 2022
- “I AM TRENTON” Grant Recipient. Sept 2022
- Passage Theatre, Group Art Show, Trenton, NJ. Aug 2022
- Mill Hill Saloon, Group Art Show, Trenton, NJ. Jul 2022
- Passage Theatre- Annual fundraiser/silent auction, Trenton, NJ. Jun 2022
- “Feeding Friendship Award”, Proclamation from Mercer County Board of Commission, Meals on Wheels Volunteer. May 2022
- Passage Theatre, Group Art Show, Trenton, NJ. May 2022
- Volunteer, Trenton Community Day Watershed Clean up. May 2022
- Interview, Fox29 Philadelphia, “The 215 Show”. Apr 2022
- Guest Presenter, Northeastern Province Kappa Leadership Conference, Trenton, NJ. Apr 2022
- Hosted Free Youth Art Workshop, Trenton, NJ. Mar 2022
- Co-Creator Artist, Footlocker Philadelphia/InHouse Design, Sneaker Customizing Workshop, Philadelphia, PA. Feb 2022
2021
- FlyKickz Carebags, Community Giveback/raised $900, Trenton, NJ. Nov 2021
- Volunteer, Tha Block Trenton, Community meal & hygiene distribution, Trenton, NJ. Oct 2021
- Volunteer, TUFF Community Cleanup, Trenton, NJ. Oct/Nov 2021
- Solo Art Show, “Art & Sole”, The Social, Trenton, NJ. Jun 2021
- Newspaper feature, Trenton Downtowner. Jun 2021
- Newspaper feature, U.S. 1 Princeton. Jun 2021
- Co-Creator Artist, Footlocker Philadelphia/InHouse Design, Sneaker Customizing Workshop, Philadelphia, PA. Apr 2021
2020
- FlyKickz Carebags, Community Giveback/raised $1600, Trenton, NJ. Dec 2020
- Volunteer, Culture Change- Community Cleanup, Trenton, NJ. Apr/Sept 2020
2019
- FlyKickz Carebags, Community Giveback/ $800 raised, Trenton, NJ. Oct 2019
- Art all Night, Trenton, NJ.
- Art all Night, “Art All Night Selects Exhibition”, Trenton, NJ.
2018
- Stage Set Art, COMPLEX show “Full Size Run”, New York, NY. July - Dec 2018
- Volunteer, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Oct 2018
- FlyKickz Carebags, Community Giveback/$500 raised, Trenton, NJ. Oct 2018
- Art all Night, Trenton, NJ.
2021 Newspaper Feature
2021 & 2022 Foot Locker Philadephia Sneaker Customizing Workshop
March 2022 1st Youth Art Workshop with the mentees of Trenton United Family Foundation (Tuff)
April 2022 Guest Speaker at the 2022 Northeastern Province Kappa League Leadership Conference in Trenton, NJ
May 2022 Fox 29 feature