Since emerging in 2008 as a sneaker customizer creating one of one custom hand painted sneaker designs, Dez the Owner, Artist and creative mind behind FlyKickz, style of art has evolved. In late 2016, FlyKickz transitioned from customizing sneakers to a very unique art form that had rarely been seen or done before using upcycled sneakers to create art on canvas. 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 evolving.
FlyKickz has become known not only for great, quality work but for utlizing their platform to fund community related endeavors. Since October 2018, FlyKickz has raised $33,000 via Instagram Supporters, a Gofundme Campaign and awarded $25K in grants. This funding has helped FlyKickz create dozens of projects that focus on giving back to those in need within the Trenton/Mercer County community in addition to curating workshops for the youth and highlighting fellow artists, creatives & small businesses. Over the last four years, FlyKickz has given back to the community by volunteering with numerous non-profit organizations for community cleanups, delivering over 1,300 meals to residents with Meals on Wheels receiving "The Feeding Friendship" Award and a Proclamation from Mercer County Board of County Commissions. FlyKickz has also assisted as Co- Creator Artist for Sneaker Customizing workshops sponsored by Foot Locker Philadelphia, featured on Fox29 Philadelphia, a Guest Speaker at two Northeastern Province Kappa League Leadership Conferences for the youth and successfully gathered and distributed over 4,000 items consisting of lunches, hygiene products/necessities for those in need, provided youth with art supplies and raised over $10,000 to curate Youth Sneaker Customizing & Art Workshops. Workshop Recap Video!
FlyKickz goal is to continue combining a love for Art & Philantrophy creating more opportunities not only for the Brand and Business that is FlyKickz but for those within the community. Inspiring one person, one SOLE at a time.
2024
- “I AM TRENTON” Grant Recipient. Dec 2024
- Artworks Trenton "Red Dot 10x10 Fundraising Exhibition." Dec 2024
- Artworks Trenton Sequential|Variants collective art exhibition. Nov 2024
- FlyKickz presents ARTOVERPAIN a collection by ARTOFMATLOC. Curator and Event Organizer, Trenton, NJ. (Art Show Fundraiser) October 2024
- Interview, Fox29 Philadelphia, “Good Day Uncut” October 2024
- 2024 CHAMPION Creators Program Winner & grant recipient.
- Raised over 2K to curate/organize Art Show Fundraiser. September 2024
- FlyKickz Art Show Fundraiser featured in the Trentionian. September 2024
- Pancakes & Booze Art Show, Philadephia. July/Dec 2024
- Trenton Entreprenuer Grant recipient. July 2024
- Art all Night, Trenton, NJ. June 2024
- Volunteer, TUFF Community Cleanup, Trenton, NJ. June 2024
- FlyKickz presents Youth Art Workshop, MCCC Trenton Hall. All expenses paid for 30 youth participants. May 2024
- FlyKickz presents The Art Collective, Curator and Event Organizer, Trenton, NJ. May 2024
- Airwave 1&9 podcast feature. April 2024
- Brooklyn Art Cave, Art of Femme, Group Art Show. March 2024
- Ewing Municipal Building, Group Art Show. Feb 2024
- Bold Journey feature. Jan 2024
2023
- “I AM TRENTON” Grant Recipient. Dec 2023
- Artworks Trenton "Red Dot 10x10 Fundraising Exhibition." Dec 2023
- Volunteer, TUFF Community Cleanup, Trenton, NJ. Oct 2023
- FlyKickz presents Youth Sneaker Customizing Workshop, MCCC Trenton Hall. Raised $6,000 for free youth workshop. Aug 2023
- The Trenton 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
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. July 2019
- 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)
May 2022 Fox 29 feature
August 2023 Youth Sneaker Customizing Workshop
May 2024 FlyKickz presents The Art Collective - captured by Lions's Den Productions
May 2024 Youth Art Workshop Captured by ShutterGod Productions