Meet Lureena Thompson | Artist and Founder of Cheerio Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lureena Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi lureena, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At Cheerio Collective, we’re more than just an event space. We’re a home for the community. Everything we do is rooted in care, intention, and the belief that connection matters.

From Music Mondays to our Artist Feature of the Month and our food club, we celebrate the creativity and talent that already exists all around us. We host monthly indoor flea markets to support local vendors, free repair fairs to encourage sustainability and sharing, and intimate gatherings like movie nights, supper clubs, and variety shows that bring people together.

We have created a place that feels warm, welcoming, and full of heart. That matters to us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on sustainability and working with found objects. I’m also a designer, actor, and writer. Honestly, I’m doing too much! But I love being creative, and I feel like all the different parts of my work feed into each other in really meaningful ways.

One thing I’m especially proud of is the “mosaic” floor at Cheerio Collective, and I say mosaic very loosely (please don’t come for me, mosaic community)! It’s more abstract than anything else, but it covers 1,200 square feet of the space and was a true labor of love. It kicked my ass, but it’s absolutely beautiful and one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever completed.

I got here by just showing up every day and following the fun until it tricks you into putting in a ton of work. That’s pretty much been my creative path. I went to an arts high school for visual art, then transferred into theater. Most of my formal training is in improv. I’ve studied with the Providence Improv Guild, iO in Chicago, Second City, and UCB. Improv taught me how to trust my instincts, collaborate, and be endlessly adaptable. All of that I now carry into my design work, performances, and everything I do.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned, and am still learning, is to slow down. When it comes to business or anything public facing, that advice about doing one thing well instead of a million things halfway is very… real. As someone who wants to do everything all the time, I’m trying to be more intentional about what I say yes to and where I put my energy. It’s a work in progress!!

Cheerio Collective, and everything I create, is about intention, play, and connection. I want people to feel something when they enter the space or interact with the work, even if it’s subtle. I’m building a life and practice where sustainability, community, and creativity can live side by side, and I hope that shows in everything I do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re getting french crullers at Nyletta (one of our food vendors!), then heading to Luca, the most intentional and beautiful store in LA. After that, we’ll grab lunch at Kitchen Mouse or Jeff’s Table, depending on the vibe. We’d go vintage shopping at Avalon, hit up Triple Beam for pizza, and swing by Bar 1642 to catch one of my favorite musicians, Eliana Athayde. On the weekend, we’d definitely check out our flea market at Cheerio Collective. Yes yes, I am going to plug my own spot. And while I’m at it, I’d close out the night with our Monthly Variety Show. We have to go to our events because I live here, and any friends or family visiting are absolutely getting subjected to all of them.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who have lifted me up along the way. First and always, my parents. Shout out to Mom and Dad! My sister, for her unwavering support and encouragement through every twist and turn. Also, hands down, the best playlist curator I know.

And then there is Griffin, my partner in every sense of the word. His hard work, his sacrifices, and the countless sleepless nights we have shared have all been such a huge part of bringing Cheerio Collective to life. This journey has not been easy, and I truly could not have done it without his persistence, his love, and his belief in both the vision and in me. Love you Griff! I also promise, in print no less, that I will be nicer about how bad of a driver you are.

If I had to give one big and resounding shoutout, it would go to Jessica Dosouto. She has been my constant collaborator, our in-house spatial designer, and truly my creative north star. Her vision, her dedication, and her deep understanding of how space can hold and shape community have been at the heart of Cheerio Collective from the very beginning. Her design opinion is the one I value most. Also, no one comes close to beating her homemade pancakes.

Website: https://cheeriocollective.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheeriocollective/?hl=en

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheeriocollective

Image Credits
Zachary Horine