About Us:

Chutzpah is an art gallery and coffee shop that encourages people to look at art, coffee, and life in general from a different perspective. We are dedicated to promoting artists and other creative professionals who have a passion for their work, while educating the public about all forms of art, music and coffee culture.

Chutzpah is run by Ian Morris and K Mikael Schnyder. Ian has run Homemade Genius, a successful music and arts nonprofit organization in upstate South Carolina, for the last 8 years.  Homemade Genius will continue to operate alongside Chutzpah to bring progressive music and art to Charleston. Mikael is a Southeast Regional Barista competitor with 12 years of coffee management experience, 2 years of coffee roasting experience and 6 years of coffee retailer experience. Together, they are teaming up to bring Charleston a new and exciting place to view and create art and music while enjoying a delicious cup of coffee in an inviting, relaxing atmosphere.

We know there is a need in the Charleston art scene for something different. In our gallery we will work hard to create a space that incorporates street art, outsider art and modern contemporary art, alongside progressive realism. We want to establish a true community of artists and art lovers alike. In our gallery, we will show a variety of progressive, modern artwork, by both promising up-and-coming artists and established artists. By taking only a 25% commission on all sales, we want to truly encourage and support the artists. 

Mission Statement: Chutzpah is defined as shameless audacity and fearlessness. To be a creative professional in today’s world, one must possess these traits. At Chutzpah, we are committed to supporting and promoting the hard-working, passionate artists in Charleston and beyond. With our art gallery and coffee shop, we provide the community with a place to create, learn about and appreciate progressive art, coffee, music and more. 

What We Need & What You Get

We've got the chutzpah to follow our dreams and the knowledge and experience to make it happen, but what we need now is funding. That's where you fine people come in.

We are aiming to raise $10,000, in order to help us secure a lease, build our coffee bar, purchase coffee shop and gallery equipment, and begin providing Charleston with a unique art gallery and cafe.

For your donation, you will get a variety of perks depending on the amount your donate.

Once we raise the funds necessary to open, Chutzpah Gallery and Cafe will host a private opening event for everyone who donates $50 or more to our campaign. The event will include an art show, several musical performance, free drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and a great time! You won't want to miss it!

For donating $15, you will get a free download of your choice of one of the two Chutzpah Compilation CDs. For donating $25, you will get a download of both CDs.

Volume 1 Chutzpah Compilation CD (rock and singer/songwriters):

1. Carousel by The Winter Sounds
2. Untouched and Burning by Besides Daniel
3. Die Already by The Royal Tinfoil
4. Hardly Wait by Cloudeater
5. Robot by Sick/Sea
6. Box-Type Love by Run Dan Run
7. A Little Joke by Pocket Vinyl
8. Empty Tank by Jungol
9. Tell Us A Story From Before We Can Remember by An Era of Echoes
10. The Horde by Wolf Lord
11. Count Zackula by A Mile At Sea
12. Lethe by Loather
13. The Wagon by Spoken Nerd
14. Farm Kid by Elim Bolt
15. Black Heart by Fire Mountain
16. With A Feeling by The Dubber
17. Moonshine by The Hungry Monks
18. Old Country Road by A Mad Affair
19. Keep Your Head Up by Arthur Alligood

Volume 2 Chutzpah Compilation CD (electronic and hip-hop):

1. Destination : Imagination by Njrrd
2. Soul Eater by Maiki
3. Clyde Drexler by Mad Axes
4. Nexst by Trublklef feat. Dr. Horrible and DJ Emeighty
5. Liveability by Supah Mario
6. Regressing by We Roll Like Madmen
7. 109 and Nancy by The SH.A.AW Brothers
8. The Good Life by Sick Tyte Click
9. Dynasty by Grand Royal
10. FatRat by FatRat Da Czar
11. Guilty Intentions by Quanstar
12. All That by SOHI
13. Until We Are Brave Again by Cedric Umoja and IMO
14. Sleepy and Weepy by Sole Symphony
15. Night Shift by Loa
16. The Ultimate Creative by Ian Morris
17. Dubai Departures by Saki Bomb
18. Grind by Left
19. Home by Sunday Morning

For all donations of $50 and above, you will receive this t-shirt, designed and printed by Charleston t-shirt company Artisan Tees (artisantees.com).

Brian Cate prints will be matted and signed by the artist. You will have your choice of these three prints - Magnolia Plantation, Woman with Red Gloves, or 39 Montagu Street.

For your donation of $250, you will receive your choice of either an original sculpture created by Charleston artist Anna Godden, or an original painting by Charleston artist and Chutzpah co-founder Ian Morris. 

Cast aluminum indoor wall sculpture titled "Andy's Yard Art" by Anna Godden:

 Outdoor garden sculpture by Anna Godden:

24"x36" acrylic, spray paint and oil pastel painting titled "From Your Heart Closet" by Ian Morris. This painting also comes with a poem:

For your donation of $500, you will receive your choice of one of several large original pieces of art created by a talented artist.

38"x48" spray paint on wood painting titled "Owl Be Watching You" by Charleston artist Crosby Jack:

42"x42" acrylic and spray paint on canvas painting titled "Left" by Charleston artist Ross MacTaggart:

36"x80" mixed media on hollow core door painting titled "Escape From Neo Tokyo" by Columbia artist Cedric Umoja:

For your donation of $5,000, you will get a rare opportunity to rent out the Chutzpah building two times in 2013 for free! First, host your own private event in our space - host your birthday party, hold a group meeting, whatever you want! Second, you will get a private concert at the Chutzpah gallery featuring performances by Charleston singer/songwriter Lily Slay of The Royal Tinfoil, and Greenville singer/songwriter Sarah Schaffer. Details of both events, including dates, time, etc., will be worked out between the donor, Chutzpah staff, and the musicians.

Sarah Schaffer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUMo0fWFD5U

Lily Slay (The Royal Tinfoil):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trlg-YeAugc

Other Ways You Can Help

We know not everyone has the money to donate, but you can still help us achieve our goal!

• Help by spreading the word to your friends and family who may be able to donate.
• If you're an artist, donate a piece of artwork we can auction off to help raise money.
• Once we do raise the money to get Chutzpah up and running (because we're confident we will!), come get a cup of coffee and check out our awesome art gallery!

If you have any other questions about Chutzpah or our campaign, feel free to contact Ian Morris at homemadegenius@yahoo.com.