We Are Upstate NY With Helena Palazzi: Artist and Co-Founder of Kingston Social

INSIDE+OUT recently shared an espresso at the Kingston Social café with artist and entrepreneur Helena Palazzi. Helena co-founded Kingston Social, a community hub that celebrates the passions of its three partners: a love of design, art, and great coffee! When you step into the sun-filled space of Kingston Social, you’ll be drawn into its beautifully curated collection of gifts, toys and home goods, walls filled with fabulous art, and the sweet aroma of baked goods and coffee. For Helena, Kingston Social enables her to share her love for the culture of fika – a social coffee break with a sweet treat. She now brings the art of blending coffee, conversation, and culture to the café at Kingston Social.

Helena Palazzi, originally from Sweden, moved to Kingston, NY, in 2019 and established Art by Helena Palazzi, a fine art studio. With the launch of Kingston Social, she has moved her studio to a sun-filled room on the second floor filled with finished pieces and works in progress. Helena describes her work as a pursuit of balance, driven by a minimalist palette juxtaposed with a fervent desire for bold expression. She uncovers new layers of depth in her work through exploration and refinement, resulting in a fusion of her past and present. Helena currently shows her work in various solo and group exhibitions around Hudson Valley and New York State.

Let’s get to know more about Helena and her multi-talented endeavors.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you from and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Helena Palazzi: I’m originally from Sweden, with an Italian father and a Swedish mother. Growing up, I spent every summer in Italy, which inspired me to move there as a young adult. I studied art and photography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia.  In the late 1990s, I moved to New York City to continue my photography career. After my daughter was born in 2011, my family and I started visiting the Hudson Valley and fell in love with the area. We bought a house in Kingston a few years later and moved here full-time in 2019, just before the pandemic.

Tell us about your career as an artist. What was your journey?

I played piano from a very young age and even considered a career as a musician in my late teens. That was followed by a desire to become a journalist, but eventually, I found my true passion in the visual arts. Italy, and particularly the Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia, helped me focus on photography and explore the world of “Arte Povera” and mixed media. I spent several years experimenting with different mediums before settling into a photography career, opening my first photo studio in Perugia with a few friends.

My journey brought me to NYC in 1997, where I had the opportunity to assist and print for renowned fashion photographers like Peter Lindbergh and Steven Klein while also developing my own portfolio. During this time, I worked in various cafés and restaurants to make ends meet, which sparked my love for hospitality, pastries, and coffee.

In 2003, I launched my own career as a commercial and fashion photographer, spending the next 20 years working with clients and talent worldwide. After moving upstate and with the onset of the pandemic, I returned to my first love—fine art and painting. This led to the opening of my art studio, Art by Helena Palazzi, and has since resulted in several art exhibitions across the Hudson Valley and New York State.

Was creativity something you were surrounded with growing up?

Creativity was a constant presence in my life from a very early age. My mother, who was a passionate dilettante pianist, writer, and painter, filled our home with art, music, and literature. Although she grew up in a time when pursuing a career in the arts wasn’t encouraged, she never let that stop her from embracing creativity in every form. Some of my earliest memories involve listening to her play Chopin, hiding under a blanket, and letting the music inspire the stories and pictures I imagined in the darkness. We spent countless hours drawing together, with her playing the piano while I sang or shared my short stories and poems with her. She was always incredibly supportive of my creative pursuits, nurturing my love for the arts from a young age.

As an artist, you work in multiple mediums. What inspires you and what is your favorite medium to work in?

I’ve always been drawn to photography. Some of my earliest memories involve taking photos when I was barely ten years old. I love capturing a moment, an expression, the play of light and shadow, and telling a story through the lens. I find beauty in unexpected places—whether it’s a unique color, an intriguing shape, or an interesting texture. However, my creativity isn’t limited to photography; I also enjoy exploring various mediums like encaustic, paint, coffee, plaster and ink, to mention a few. While my inspiration is often visual, I tend to look inward for my narrative, drawing from my experiences, background, and both past and present moments. My goal is to transform my personal journey into a universal story, turning my individual humanity into a shared experience that resonates with others, regardless of their backgrounds.

What are you working on now that you’re excited about?

Right now, I’m involved in planning and participating in several exhibitions in the area, which is really exciting. However, I’m also eager to push the boundaries of my work by creating larger installations. I’m particularly interested in continuing my exploration of printing on 100% raw silk, a technique I began experimenting with a couple of years ago for my exhibition Shield Maidens. Additionally, I’m delving deeper into large-scale encaustic work and the deconstruction of encaustic photographs, which I’m currently experimenting with. These projects allow me to explore new dimensions in my art, and I’m excited to see where they take me.

Congratulations on your new business, Kingston Social. It’s such a gorgeous space in Kingston. How do you feel since you opened your doors to the public?

Thank you so much! It’s incredibly exciting to see how something that was just an idea on paper a few months ago has now come to life. I absolutely love waking up early, heading to Kingston Social to bake our delicious Italian cornetti, and getting the café ready for the morning crowd. It’s such a joy to connect with the community and be part of something so special. After a lifetime of being “on the road,” it’s truly wonderful to have a place to call my own, surrounded by amazing partners, friends, and family.

Tell us about your partners in Kingston Social.  How did you three come up with the concept?

Anne Sanger, the owner of Pinkwater Gallery, and I first connected during the pandemic when she showcased my art in her gallery. In 2023, we began collaborating as curators for women-driven exhibitions. Around that time, we started playing with the idea of opening a business together. I mentioned this to Samara Daly, a longtime friend, who immediately expressed her long-held dream of owning a mercantile. Through our conversations and brainstorming sessions, we realized how wonderful it would be to combine art, coffee, and beautiful merchandise under one roof, and that’s how the concept for Kingston Social was born.

Your focus at Kingston Social is running the Euro-style cafe. What inspired the desire to bring this to Kingston?

It’s funny to hear the term “Euro-style café” because what we’re offering at Kingston Social is simply what I grew up with. In Sweden, people love gathering in cafés to meet friends, socialize, drink coffee, and enjoy something sweet, a so-called fika. As a teenager, I spent countless hours with my friends after school, especially on Friday afternoons, in various cafés around my hometown. Italian coffee culture, where my father was from, has its own charm—Italians often gather at cafés in the evenings for an aperitif, while mornings and afternoons are more about a quick “cornetto and cappuccino breakfast” or an afternoon espresso with a friend (and never anything but espresso after 10 AM!). Despite these differences, both cultures share a deep appreciation for good coffee, delicious pastries, and the social aspect of café life. The concept of “to-go” doesn’t really exist, especially in Italy. With Kingston Social, I wanted to create a cozy spot where people can enjoy the same pleasures—a place to meet a friend or simply take a break on their own during the day while savoring the exquisite flavors of Italy.

You also have an artist studio in the building. Between being a artist, commercial photographer and now a cafe owner, when do you set aside time for your art? And how do you turn off your business side and step into your creative space?

My commercial photography has taken a bit of a backseat lately, and that’s by design. I still work with a  few loyal, long-term clients, but I’m being more selective about the projects I take on. My main focus now is Kingston Social and my art, which is why having my art studio in the same building is such a blessing.  From the start, it was important for Samara, Anne and I to divide our responsibilities and hours at Kingston Social in a way that allows us to manage our other commitments. After finishing a shift downstairs, I often head up to my studio, change into my painting clothes, and dive into my creative work.  Some days, I might spend time doing nothing obviously art-related—just allowing inspiration to come naturally. I often find myself painting or photographing in my mind long before I put brush to canvas or push the camera button, so in many ways, I feel like I’m always creating, even when I’m not physically in the studio or out taking pictures. This balance between business and creativity feels natural to me, and  I’m grateful to have the space and flexibility to pursue both.

What is your creative process?

My creative process usually begins with a single thought or concept—perhaps a shape, color, or idea —that captures my attention. From there, I start exploring questions like “How does this image connect?”  I tend to work in series, creating multiple pieces simultaneously, which allows me to delve deeper into the themes and questions I’m exploring. As I work, I naturally find answers to some of these questions and the process evolves organically.

What do you love about living + working in the Hudson Valley?

What I love most about living and working in the Hudson Valley, aside from the stunning natural beauty, is the incredible sense of community. From the moment we started visiting, we were welcomed by a diverse group of people—those who have lived here for generations and others who, like us, have come from different parts of the country and the world. It’s this unique melting pot of experiences and backgrounds that makes the Hudson Valley such a vibrant and inspiring place to call home.

What impact does your business have on your community?

Kingston Social has, to our immense joy, quickly become a gathering place for our community, offering more than just a spot to grab a coffee. By bringing together art, culture, and a welcoming café atmosphere, we’ve created a space where people can connect, unwind, and share ideas. We host events,  showcase local artists, and serve as a hub for both longtime residents and newcomers. Our aim is to foster a sense of belonging and contribute to the cultural and social fabric of Kingston, making it a place where people feel at home.

What local businesses do you rely on to be successful?

Kingston Social’s success is deeply intertwined with the local community and the businesses around us. Being located right across the street from the Ulster County DMV has been a significant advantage, as it naturally draws in a steady stream of customers who stop by for coffee or a snack before or after their appointments. Additionally, we cater to the nearby offices and businesses, providing a welcoming space for professionals to grab a quick coffee and a treat, hold informal meetings, or simply take a break.  Our connection to the local families is also something we cherish. Many parents bring their children in for a snack, and we’ve created a kid-friendly environment with a special table in the back where children can draw and play while their parents relax. This has helped us become a community hub, a place where people of all ages feel comfortable and welcome.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

I think a wonderful addition would be a wine and cheese spot that also offers delicious cold cuts and tapas-style dishes. A cozy place where people can gather to enjoy a great glass of wine paired with quality cheeses and charcuterie. It would be the perfect spot for a casual night out with friends or a relaxed date night, bringing a taste of Italian aperitivo culture to the Hudson Valley.

Where do you see taking Kingston Social in the future?

I see Kingston Social continuing to evolve into a vibrant hub that seamlessly blends art, community, coffee and culture. The vision is for it to become a cherished destination where art lovers, creatives, and those in search of unique, beautiful merchandise and thoughtful gifts come together. I envision Kingston Social to be recognized not just for its offerings but as a place where people connect, are inspired, and find a sense of belonging. I’m also toying with the idea of making Kingston Social evolve into an after-hours spot as well, where people can come to enjoy a delicious dessert and an espresso after dinner, embracing the Italian tradition of gathering for a sweet treat in a cozy, welcoming environment in the early evening.

Tell us something about yourself people would be surprised to know.

That’s a tough one! But people might be surprised to learn that I’m a big soccer fan and used to play when I was younger. In my twenties, I even worked as a sports photographer, which led me to travel around Europe with the American and Brazilian beach soccer teams as their official tour photographer in 1996. It’s a part of my past that not many people know about, but it was an incredible experience.

What is your current state of mind?

I’m incredibly excited right now. Being both an artist and a business owner is an exhilarating journey. I’m deeply focused on making Kingston Social the go-to spot when people think of great coffee, delicious sweet treats, and a beautiful place to relax, browse unique merchandise, and appreciate stunning art. At the same time, I’m also immersing myself in my art, delving deeper into concepts I’ve begun to explore,  and sharing my work with the public.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Right now, I’d love the ability to be in multiple places at once.

Photos courtesy of Helena Palazzi + @yellowhouse_production

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