Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Wilson

Hi Stacey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

My true creative life began the moment she started school in 1995. I attained her love for art while studying Graphic Design as well as a multitude of various types of art at Philadelphia’s Hussian School of Art. At the same time, I had also began my career in management and promotions while also designing promotional materials for the entertainment and restaurant industries while managing the Zanzibar Blue and Brave New World, which were both owned by the Bynum brothers. My design client roster includes Digable Planets, Ursula Rucker, Dyana Williams, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Okayplayer, The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP/Kenny Gamble), Warmdaddy’s, Zanzibar Blue, EST, Green Soul, Relish, Jill Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation, and GrassROOTS Community Foundation to name a few. I had freelanced as an In Market Manager for brands such as the Diageo, Red Bull, Reebok, KBA and more. This time was essentially a grooming for me to know how to survive in my own business, on all levels. Manager, designer, promoter, curator, creative mind. It all somehow began to become something……

With one door opening after another, my next venture in life was to start a promotion and event planning company along with her partners, Questlove and Yameen Allworld.. She decided to leave the nightclub as a Manager and enter as an Event Producer. Producing and promoting thousands of events over the past 25+ years, she is the proud co-owner of the infamous party, Tastytreats, which had been the longest running party in Philadelphia, weekly for 13 years.

From concerts, dance parties, live discussions, and everything in between I’ve done it all. I’ve booked and worked with many legendary DJ’s like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Q-Tip, Biz Markie, Premier, Tony Touch, Pete Rock, Questlove, MC Lyte, Kool Herc, 9th Wonder and many more. I’ve also produced three private afterparties for Prince for his 2009 Musicology Tour and most recently Janet Jackson’s 57th birthday party. I’ve booked talent like Gangstarr, Questlove, Black Thought, Marsha Ambrosius, De La Soul, Mos Def, KRS-One, MC Lyte, Masters at Work, Bahamadia, Little Brother, Beverly Bond, Jill Scott, John Legend, Jamie Foxx, Bilal, Reakwon and many others.

I’m responsible for branding a merchandise line, those infamous “Jawn” t-shirts as well as creating a popular newspaper for Philadelphia called, The Jawn. I have been recognized by GPTMC (Greater Philadelphia Tourism + Marketing Corporation) as a Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia, an elite group of creative people honored by Philly360 and The Philadelphia Tourism Board. I also teach Graphic, Web, Digital and Event Design classes to young people as well as teaching painting at social painting parties for kids and adults.

My skill in art and illustration became more and more a part of my life as my acrylic and ink works of urban/comic book/graffiti-esque art came sneaking out on the scene. My much admired works on wood, canvas and sneakers have been featured on the walls of the house of MTV’s The Real World Philadelphia on UPN 57’s Half and Half, and seen on the pages of Jill Scott’s book of poetry, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours as well as featured in various exhibits, magazines and other outlets. In recent years, I have become a muralist due to my work at the Tiny Room For Elephants festivals. My murals can be seen in The Fillmore Philadelphia, One Art Community Center and at various Amazon locations.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

After more than 25 years, there have definitely been a few rough patches. But, they have all made me who I am. I have lots of stories within each craft that I do. Some advice that I would give based on some of the struggles I’ve endured would be:

1. Always get a contract when doing creative work
2. Always keep you word
3. If paying people to do work for you, always pay
4. Your reputation is gold
5. Don’t be scared to promote yourself
6. Partnerships can be great but be careful working with friends and loved ones
7. Never stop growing within your craft
8. Magic can be found in idle time
9. Rest when you need to not just because you have to
10. Always get a deposit

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

In addition to being an Event Producer, I’m also a Visual Artist and Muralist as well as a Graphic/Web Designer. In the 90’s I went to college. The school I went to was a smaller Art school in Philly and only had 2 majors. graphic Design or Illustration. You went for 4 years and focused on your major in your senior year. Leading up to that, you learned every kind of Art that exists – sculpting, airbrush, nude drawing, photography, etc. I went for Graphic Design but became skilled in so much more that just design.

A year or two after school was done – I was actively doing Design work for all of the restaurants and party promoters at the time. I wasn’t doing much of the other Art I had learned. One day, some Artist friends of mine came by my house, which had some of the paintings I had created in college on my walls. They asked, “Who made that?”. When I told them it was me – they were blown away. They asked if I’d be interested in doing a group exhibit with them. I said of course.

The night the exhibit launched, I had sold $3000 worth of my work. I couldn’t believe it. I had no idea anyone would care! But, that was the start of my life as an Artist outside of my design/digital work. Since then, my work has been on MTV’s The Real World Philadelphia, UPN 57’s Half and Half, and in the pages of Jill Scott’s book of poetry (which I also curated), The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours as well as featured in various exhibits, magazines and other outlets. In recent years, I have become a muralist due to my work at the Tiny Room For Elephants festivals. My murals can be seen in The Fillmore Philadelphia, One Art Community Center and at various Amazon locations.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

I haven’t had many official mentors. I’ve had people that I admire and I take notes from. And of course I have learned from others in regard to my crafts and progress. But, I mostly have learned on my own. Figured things out along the way. When it comes to finding a mentor or networking, I would suggest to find like minded people. Find events that are based around your craft or interests. Also, don’t be scared to reach out to people. The worst that can happen is that they don’t reply or just don’t have time to take it on. But, always shoot your shot! I would absolutely make sure that you’re doing it in a professional and respectful way. With that I mean that if your only point of contact is an Instagram page, I’d first check their bio for a email address or website that I can contact them through. I’d only message them once I have done that. If you have to message them, I’d greet them properly, introduce myself and ask for their email address. Being professional goes a long way! .

Contact Info:

• Website: www.flygirrl.com / www.theflylifeagency.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flygirrl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flygirrl