Leave it to artist and designer Stuart Freeman to create a mask that could possibly double as office attire. But he has a lot more in his bag of tricks, so to speak. 

What You Need To Know

  • Artist and designer Stuart Freeman has created a collection of limited-edition facial coverings. They are on display at the Kikkerland Store in the West Village

  • Freeman is a Lower East Side native and a designer of fashion accessories and products

  • All proceeds from sales of the masks go to the Food Bank for New York City to help feed the hungry

  • Freeman made around 100 masks, but whittled the number down to 42 for the exhibit

It's part of a collection of 42 limited-edition facial coverings on display at the Kikkerland Store in the West Village. The Lower East Side native and designer of fashion accessories and products uses a variety of materials.

He first came up with the idea while quarantining in March and April, and started creating in May. 

"It's like walking art," said Freeman. "The museums are starting to reopen now, finally, thank goodness, but this way you have a museum on the street." 

Freeman was invited to display his masks at Kikkerland by Store Director Kevin Brynan. The housewares shop takes pride in providing a space for local artists as well.

All proceeds from sale of the masks will go to the Food Bank for New York City to help feed the hungry. 

"People's incomes are drying up, and they can't afford to buy groceries," said Freeman.  

For Brynan, the display also brings attention to his shop, which was closed from mid-March through June. 

"We want to be really tied to the community, besides being a brand store, so we reach out to artists to showcase their work in our store windows and Stuart and I have know [each other[ for over 27 years," said Brynan. 
 


Freeman made around 100 masks, whittling the number down to 42 for the exhibit, which he hopes will bring some joy to folks just walking by or who decide to purchase one. 

"We want to spread joy a little bit because this is really depressing, this COVID stuff, and I've been looking around everybody wearing a little black mask or a blue mask, it's kind of like let's zip it up a little bit," said Freeman. 
 


Visitors can check out Stuart Freeman's masks at Kikkerland on 6th Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets, or head to Freeman's website, stuartvision.com.