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Alum McKenzie Thompson (MFA 2014) recently spoke with Newcity about her newest clothing brand, Outsider Supply. Inspired by the ongoing pandemic and how it has affected the art world, the brand is focused on creating apparel that keeps art accessible. “We could not go to the museums or to art parties or fairs. We could not travel like we’re used to, or get together and share. However, we could not bear to simply check out and sit on the sidelines,” Thompson shared. “A small group of artists came together virtually to originate a conceptual brand called Outsider Supply. Together, we make art-focused apparel for your everyday life.”
Both Waller and Thompson have always held a lifelong love of art. Waller painted as a child, studied art history at the University of Alabama, went on to work at the iconic Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts in Highlands, NC, and to become director of the Shuptrine Gallery. For McKenzie, who grew up painting and taking photos but now considers herself a multidisciplinary artist, the career path held a few more twists and turns. She began by studying journalism at Chapel Hill. After becoming disillusioned with the industry, she traveled overseas for a year, where she decided to be the artist she'd always wanted to be. She then studied at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, where she explored a wide range of disciplines and received her master’s. It was her love of sculpture and 3D pieces that led to her creating artistic clothing.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago News, Online Edition
January 2022 Issue
www.saic.edu/news/mckenzie-thompson-outsider-supply-newcity