We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John Lewis . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.

John, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always been on track to do something in the arts. From acting classes at a young age, to majoring in dance learning classical, modern & jazz. In high school I went to Paseo academy of the fine and performing arts there I studied theatre. Stayed in that world for my time in college. I didn’t pick up a pen an write/perform my own work until college 2015 I feel in love with it when I was introduced to slam poetry outside of KC.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been doing poetry for 11 years now going on 12. I originally started writing as a means to pick up girls. Communication wasn’t my strong suit so writing became my median. Breaking out of the world of erotic poetry am working on more meaningful work.

Few years into the learning of the craft I ventured into selling merchandise shirts, hats, books sweatshirt/hoodies.

I am honored to be apart of a community where we all try to assist in making each other grow as artist. I was named Kansas City People Choice Award winning Poet, Rockford, IL Slam God of the Year, and P3 Sponsored Artist of the Year by my peers.

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

Purchase merchandise. The big one is PAY THE ARTIST!!! Most aren’t doing this is a hobby this is a career choice and we deserve to be paid.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Vulnerability is not a weakness.

I would never tell my story, problems I dealt with. I more so focused on persona poems where I was a character. Over the last 2 years personal topics have been coming up and have went over well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamhypocrace/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/1299480013/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HypocrACE