We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Junior Polo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Junior thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I grew up in Haiti and from a young age, I had a natural artistic ability. As a fifth-grader, I started teaching my friends acrylic painting at school, charging them $0.25 per week. When I was 18, a friend introduced me to a ceramic studio, where I discovered I had a natural talent for sculpting. This was a revelation, as working with clay felt like a skill that had always been a part of me, even if I hadn’t known it. This discovery led to my first professional sculpting contract.

At the time, I was working in the Construction field, unsure if art would be my professional path. However, after migrating to the United States many years ago, I made the decision to pursue art full-time. I founded Veropolo LLC, a company providing art services in the Tampa Bay area, including team building activities, art classes, art therapy, custom art, community engagement art projects, birthday parties, and murals.

Junior, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those not familiar with me, my name is Junior Polo and I’m an Artist, Art Professor and Entrepreneur based in the Tampa Bay area. I grew up in Haiti, where from a young age I discovered a natural talent and passion for the arts.

This artistic drive led me to explore different mediums, from painting to ceramics and sculpture.
When I migrated to the United States, I made the decision to commit fully to this creative path. I founded Veropolo LLC, a company dedicated to providing a wide range of art-related services in the Tampa Bay community.

Through Veropolo, I offer team building activities, art classes, art therapy sessions, custom commissioned artwork, community engagement projects, birthday party entertainment, and large-scale murals. My goal is to share the transformative power of art – whether that’s fostering creativity in teams, providing therapeutic outlets, beautifying public spaces, or simply offering joyful artistic experiences.

What sets me apart is my diverse skill set spanning painting, sculpting, and more, as well as my entrepreneurial drive to make art accessible to all. I’m especially proud of the community engagement work Veropolo has done, like mural projects that we to revitalized underserved neighborhoods in Tampa, the art therapy sessions that have hosted to helped local hospital patients including youths with Down Syndrome, and the education I provide consistently to inspire the future generation of artists through the University Area Community Development Center (UACDC) and as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Leo University. I also initiated an Art Collective to support and promote other talented artists in the Bay area. These kinds of initiatives are at the core of my mission to use art as a force for good.

Ultimately, I want potential clients and collaborators to know that I’m not just an artist – I’m an innovator, a educator, and an advocate for the community. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your office space, plan a unique team building event, or simply experience the magic of making art, I’m here to bring your visions to life in imaginative and impactful ways.

As an Artist born and raised in Haiti, I carry vibrant Caribbean culture with me. I developed a deep respect for the indigenous artistic traditions which can be seen in my art work today. I have created a distinctive personal style where recycled materials are incorporated in to my work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the pure freedom of self-expression. As creatives, we have the unique privilege of being able to authentically channel our unique perspectives, emotions, and life experiences into our work, without the constraints or judgment that can come in other realms.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, one of the most impactful things society can do to support artists and the broader creative ecosystem is to ensure proper attribution and fair compensation for creative work. In an age where digital content and AI-generated art have become pervasive, it’s crucial that we make concerted efforts to uplift and remunerate the human artists behind the work.

Far too often, I see instances of artists’ intellectual property being used without credit or consent – whether it’s a social media post repurposing an image, a company using an artist’s design without permission, or AI systems generating derivative art without acknowledging its human origins. This rampant appropriation not only undermines the livelihoods of individual creators, but it erodes the overall value placed on creative labor.

That’s why I strongly encourage everyone, from individual consumers to major organizations, to prioritize sourcing original artwork, paying fair commissions, and always giving due credit to the artists responsible. When we properly recognize and reward the invaluable contributions of creatives, we send a powerful message that their work has inherent worth and dignity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.veropolo.com and www.juniorpoloart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veropolo_llc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veropolollc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/polo-junior-25a90b5a
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@polunior/
• Other: Feature on:
  ABC News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTcMl77Dri8

  WEDU Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d17Y4lnbLfs

  Culture Ventures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5YHsFtV6fI

  IVision TV:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WGMwjFMYz0

  WTSP: https://www.wtsp.com/video/entertainment/places/bobby-lewis-on-the-road/tampa-artist-spelling-out-h-o-p-e-to-inspire-others/67-d13e6d5f-a64d-447e-ab73-891bc50a598f

Image Credits

Images by Kay Clark and Jean – Claude Bourjolly