We recently connected with Joey Withinarts and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Joey, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I was born in Norfolk Virginia DePaul Hospital. As a kid I always loved to draw pictures with my brothers and sisters. art ran deep in our family.Back than art was just a hobby.I attend John Rolfe middle school and varina high and received many awards like central office exhibit black history month 2007 central office exhibit youth month 2008 Central office exhibit black history month 2009 also the scholastic Virginia of fine arts 2012.
Later after 2015 I moved down to south Carolina and begin my art career
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
2015 I decided to move down south. I was doing some drawings downtown Greenville SC. I did this one picture of a dog a lady was in awe of the picture and purchased it from me which let me know further that I had a gift to be shared with the world. I started donating my paintings to efia nwangaza founder/director Malcolm X center 2017 also James brown family foundation in Augusta Georgia.
Mayor Frank crenshaw in Pendleton South Carolina recognize my talented in 2018
Near the time George Floyd had been killed I supported the march in Greenville south Carolina. I wanted to take a different approach and help the missing & murder cases in Washington DC 2020.
city of Anderson mayor Terence Roberts and Rick danner invited me to breakfast MLK both 2021 and 22.
I was honored by upstate black history month maker 107.3 TMobile 2021.that lead me to take a trip to support
Laguna fest mural appreciation Puerto Rico 2021 for the deaf community.
I help campaign for Jaime Harrison Democratic candidate 2020.One of the first artist to paint a mural in Honea path south Carolina 2020
Associated Press Art exhibit in Chadwick boseman 2020 the first artist to paint Chad in south Carolina.I done a community canvas downtown Greenville 2021 interviewed by Greenville journal.
Honored radio and coach Jones 2022 Tl Hannah highschool and twitch boss in south union Alabama
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
To be able to educate the youth share my story through my painting in inspire generations before and after me. But most of all become a hero to my children and grandchildren
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to capture history as I see it. Share creativity be hope to someone dreams .My drive is God and the message I teach for understanding that art is freedom that don’t have a name on it now judgement just life
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Joey withinarts
- Facebook: Joey withinarts
- Linkedin: Joey withinarts
- Twitter: Joey withinarts
- Youtube: Joey withinarts
Image Credits
Joey withinarts