Ash + Chess is a stationery & gift company run by queer and trans couple Ashley Molesso (she/her) and Chess Needham (he/him), based in Upstate New York. They create greeting cards, art prints, and more in bold, retro color palettes, often using their artwork to uplift the queer community. Their company made its debut at the National Stationery Show in May 2017, and since then over 700+ retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia sell their art and stationery. In the short time they've been in business, Ash + Chess have worked on many collaborations including artwork for Target, Smartfood, Skittles, Nooworks, Belletrist, Plaza Style, Brooklyn Roasting Co., Transfigure Print Co., HarperCollins, Workman Publishing, Running Press Studio, Macy's STORY, and more. They are the authors of multiple publications, including: The Gay Agenda: A Modern Queer History & Handbook (Morrow Gift) 2020; Queer Tarot: An Inclusive Deck and Guidebook (RP Studio) 2022; My Queer Year Guided Journal (RP Studio) 2022; ABC-Deconstructing Gender (RP Kids) 2023, The Big Book of Queer Stickers (RP Studio) 2023, and Just Like My Family (forthcoming, RP Kids) 2024.
