Lauren Aitken, 38, is an artist and the owner of Headstone Gallery on Hurley Avenue in Uptown Kingston. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Kingston Wire: How did you or your family first come to Kingston?

Lauren Aitken: My parents both attended SUNY New Paltz in the ’70s and then moved away. They reconnected in LA. My mom asked my dad to marry her and they moved cross country into the house where I grew up in Accord in 1985. I moved back to the area in 2017 after a six-year stint in the Caribbean. I landed back in Kingston and started Headstone in 2022.

KW: What do you like about Kingston?

LA: I love all the people that live here. Our community is outstanding and I am really proud that I grew up here. Having worked in hospitality for 20 years I am excited about more restaurant options. I think there are amazing opportunities here for collaborations between businesses and also individuals — I am grateful our studio makes those types of connections really easy.

KW: What would you like to change about Kingston?

LA: I think figuring out how to create more affordable housing options for people living here is crucial. I would like to see more permanent and semi-permanent public sculpture and public artwork being placed — thank you, O+, for crushing the mural scene. Headstone worked to semi-permanently place “The Weather (BIG EMOTIONS)” at the YWCA. Go see it!

KW: How do you think Kingston will be different in 10 years?

LA: I think we will continue to see people moving here. People are moving because of the beautiful area but also I think folks are moving drastically out of California because of climate change. We have an expansion planned for our studio to have a small ceramic manufacturing studio. I would love to see manufacturing come back to Kingston.