Lisa and Keith met at BAM Café Live. Lisa is a fashion designer, fiber artist and stylist. Keith is a filmmaker with decades of experience in community development. They had a synergy and a shared desire to hold space for diverse artists in a rapidly changing neighborhood.
As curated creative spaces developed, they wondered “where is the opportunity for folks who don’t fit this specific profile, such as the grandma from Bed-Stuy who makes homemade soap on her spare time?” Keith saw an opportunity with the Brooklyn Medical Center, which is at the cultural crossroads of Brooklyn but sits empty on weekends.
Formed in 2009, the ethos of the Fulton Flea is to honor and support the creativity of anyone who wants to come out of their shell and show their work. Every season, there are 10 to 15 regular vendors, with a handful of others that join fill-in.
Together, Lisa and Keith are facilitators, convenors and catalysts. Their vision for this goes beyond a flea market. Their hope is to create a true marketplace and meeting ground that combines creativity and economy, and invites neighbors to be curious and community-oriented.