Kiva Motnyk is the founder and creator of Thompson Street Studio, which creates handmade objects that explore art and design in unison, creating work imbued with authenticity and longevity.

The Art of Crafting Stories Through Textile

Kiva Motnyk’s journey into the world of textiles is rooted in a deep-seated desire to reconnect with the tactile nature of creation. After years spent working in the fashion industry, Kiva felt an undeniable pull to move closer to her materials and work with her hands, crafting one-of-a-kind objects that told a more personal, intimate story. “I sought a space where I could engage more directly with the materials, creating unique, meaningful pieces,” Kiva shares. This shift marked the inception of Thompson Street Studio in 2014, where art and design merge seamlessly, producing pieces that resonate with both personal significance and historical depth.

Kiva’s affinity for traditional textile techniques—such as weaving, quilting, and appliqué—was cultivated from an early age. Her mother, a skilled seamstress, introduced her to the world of fabric and thread, while her time at the Waldorf School in San Francisco further refined her understanding of the craft. “Textile design has always intrigued me, particularly the dialogue between the old and the new,” she explains. This intrigue led Kiva to pursue a degree at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she formally decided to focus her creative energies on textiles. For Kiva, this was more than a career choice; it was an immersion into a world where tradition and innovation could coexist and enrich one another.

At the heart of Thompson Street Studio is Kiva’s commitment to working with recycled materials, seasonal natural dyes, and antique fabrics—elements that elevate her designs beyond mere aesthetics. “Foraging for materials in Upstate New York, crafting natural dyes from plants—it’s truly my favorite part of the process,” Kiva reflects. This connection to nature infuses her work with a palpable sense of place and history. “The recycled materials I incorporate into my work carry their own narratives. They’ve been made by someone—most likely a woman—and I find that dialogue with the past incredibly enriching.” In every piece, Kiva honors these materials, allowing them to inform the process while shaping the final creation.

Kiva’s creative process is fluid and organic, with each project evolving based on the materials at hand. “I often begin by engaging with my materials—whether through painting, dyeing, or building a layout,” she explains. “I think of it as sculpture, as the work never remains flat. It becomes something with its own life, its own energy.” This dynamic approach ensures that no two projects are alike, allowing Kiva’s work to take on a distinct personality with each piece.

Collaboration is an integral part of Kiva’s practice. Her work with artists like Susan Cianciolo has proven to be transformative, opening her eyes to new perspectives and ideas. “Collaboration is at the core of patchwork and quilt-making, and it brings a fresh perspective to my own work,” Kiva muses. The process of working alongside other creatives has not only deepened her understanding of her craft but has also enriched her artistic vision.

Thompson Street Studio is not just a creative space but a conduit for community engagement. Through gallery exhibitions, pop-up shops, and workshops, Kiva invites others into her process, allowing them to experience the transformative power of textiles. “Sharing my work and inviting others into the creative journey is incredibly fulfilling,” Kiva says. “It requires a lot of energy, but the joy of seeing people connect with the techniques and materials is worth every bit of effort.” One particularly memorable event was her exhibition at Guild Hall Museum in East Hampton, where Kiva foraged local plants to create work inspired by the surrounding landscape. “That show was unique—it was a fusion of the local environment, the materials, and the community, all coming together in one space.”

“Art allows us to communicate our experience, to connect with something larger than ourselves.”

For Kiva, art is more than just creation—it is a vehicle for expressing what it means to be human. “Art allows us to communicate our experience, to connect with something larger than ourselves,” she says. Her work speaks to this philosophy, where tradition and innovation intertwine to create a meaningful narrative. “I respect the traditions of textile techniques, writing about them in each piece I create, but I also like to push the boundaries and experiment with new combinations. It’s about bringing something fresh to the table while honoring the past.”

Looking to the future, Kiva is excited for what lies ahead, particularly her upcoming collaboration with Object & Thing for an exhibition in Upstate New York. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how this collaboration unfolds,” she says. As always, her journey is one of constant evolution—constantly learning, adapting, and creating. “I’m excited to continue evolving my work, pushing the boundaries, and fostering new collaborations and exhibitions.”

With Thompson Street Studio’s continued growth, Kiva plans to expand her artistic vision, continually seeking new opportunities to share her craft and connect with others through the timeless art of textiles. “It’s all about the ongoing journey—growing, creating, and sharing my passion with the world,” Kiva reflects.

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Kiva Motnyk is a textile artist and the founder of Thompson Street Studio. Her work merges traditional textile techniques with contemporary design, creating pieces that are both historically rich and visually striking. Through her dedication to working with recycled materials, natural dyes, and antique fabrics, Kiva creates a dialogue between the past and the present, breathing new life into age-old techniques. Through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborations, Kiva continues to engage with the community, inviting others into the world of textile art and sharing her passion for the craft.

To sign up for upcoming workshops and stay updated on future exhibitions and collaborations, please visit Kiva’s website and follow Thompson Street Studio on Instagram for the latest announcements.

Kiva Motnyk

@THOMPSONSTREETSTUDIO
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