Our Story

As two performing arts educators from Texas and New Jersey who’ve traversed the country following Higher Ed professorships, Jonathan and Chrissy Ziese found themselves (along with their young family) settling in the bucolic village of Alfred, NY in 2022. As folks who believe in frequenting small businesses and investing in our community as much as possible, getting to know so many of the dedicated artists and art supporters in our village sparked an idea. With patience, lots of research and many late-night brainstorming sessions, Kindred Collective was born in November 2025.

Our Mission

Kindred Collective prides itself on tenets of inclusivity, sustainability, and supporting our community of artists. We have made every effort to source materials for our store that have been procured and made ethically. We support local and small vendors through our selection of products. Every item you find on our walls and shelves is thoughtfully chosen to reflect these values - so when you shop with us you’re not just giving a gift, you’re doing good.