Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jana Novak. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hey Jana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. 

Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?
My late mother has always been a hero of mine. She was an artist, who worked across a spectrum of mediums; an art educator, who worked with both children and adults who had suffered trauma, especially PTSD in the military; and an outspoken with regards to her beliefs. She taught me about the importance of art in all of our lives, and specifically how it can help to heal trauma.

She also brought me up in a firm tradition of expressing oneself. Loudly if possible, but appropriately.

When my late father was out of town and unable to go to a very small dinner party at the White House for local religious leaders, particularly those in the Catholic faith, my mother chose to still go. This was despite her being seriously ill with cancer, so she requested permission to bring me as a guest due to how ill she was. This was when George W. Bush was president, and shortly after he had gotten in trouble by having a microphone catching him saying the word “shit” — which happened to be one of my mother’s favorite words. My mother looked radiant, but thin and with a bright scarf covering her bald head. We were being introduced to the President and his wife, with the outgoing Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese of Washington and the incoming Archbishop next to them. When she reached the President, my mother grasped his hand and said: “You know, I thought it was an excellent choice of words. Sometimes the situation does not call for anything else.” The President looked startled, laughed, and said, “Well my mother certainly did not approve.” And my mother replied, “Well, this mother certainly did!”

Seeing my mother not shirk from speaking her mind even to the President of the United States was awe-inspiring. From that moment on, the lesson to proudly — and loudly — give voice to one’s self got firmly etched into my brain. A lesson that has made me constantly seek ways to be creative, to be able to express myself, to stand up for my beliefs — even if that belief is just the appropriateness of a word.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My company, Denver Graffiti Tour, was the first street art tour in Denver, founded in 2018 in the RiNo Art District by the previous owners. As I am a freelance writer who works from home, I always look for part-time jobs to get me out of the house. I have previously worked as everything from a dog walker to an assistant in a museum. So stumbling upon this job right after I moved back to Denver, thanks to a friend who saw the Craigslist ad, was ideal. Plus, I already was amazed and inspired by all of the street art in my new neighborhood. I was hired in 2020 as one of the latest guides. After an unscheduled break of almost a year and a half due to everything in the world closing down from the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, I returned as the only tour guide when the business reopened in May 2021. Then a couple of months later, I helped hire and train a second guide, Nick Fletcher. At the end of that year, the owners asked if I would like to take over the company, and I invited Nick to join me as a minority owner.

In February 2022, the previous owners officially passed the torch on to me and Nick. We both live in the neighborhoods of the RiNo Art District and are committed to not only offering a great class on street art and the history and politics of the area, but also to being an integral part of the community.

The Denver Graffiti Tour itself is a 2-hour walking showcase of the best street art in the metro Denver area. We pride ourselves on introducing people not just to some amazing art and artists, but also to the historical, political, and social contexts of that art. We give people a class on street art, and an introduction to a bit of Denver’s history, and some of the tensions and discussions going on within the communities and cultures here. This is why we provide such a great experience — it is something that is both educational AND entertaining. Every year, we have worked hard to prove ourselves as the best and most thorough, in-depth tour — one that the artists can respect while leaving customers better educated and appreciative.

I am thrilled that we get so many 5-star reviews, and that we have created such a resource for our community, both the artistic community and the local community.

As for myself, I live in the RiNo Art District in one of the original neighborhoods here, with my low-rider dog (sadly my other, soulmate dog died last year). I work as a freelance writer, usually writing for others by drafting their speeches, op-eds or newsletters. Though I also write under my name, including being the co-author of two books. I have worked with politicians as well as pampered pets, found the jobs similar, and much preferred the latter. I have also talked about religion and politics on TV and radio, spouted history in a mountain museum, and, of course, ghosted for others. When I am not leading street art tours, I am doing media for my dog, dabbling in art, and working on my first love, creative writing. I am thrilled that though it may have taken me half a century, I finally found my calling through my tour company.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I was raised by creative parents — my late father was a writer and my late mother was a “classic” artist (she did sculptures, oil paintings, pen & ink prints, etc). I used to joke that rather than being born with a silver spoon, I was born with a pen in one hand and a paintbrush in the other.

Due to this early exposure to creativity, it was always made clear to me as a child how important it is to nurture and embrace the creative life, especially as something that allows us to broaden our minds/horizons and increase our critical thinking. This is true both for individuals and society at large. I saw from a young age how very difficult it was to stay true to the authentic creative soul due to the pressures of expectations and beliefs about “proper roles”, particularly for my mother. This highlighted for me how often society looks down upon creative individuals and working “outside the lines” — things that have often brought about the greatest leaps forward in a variety of areas.

For this reason, I have always embraced how critical the creative is to life and society — even as I have struggled with the same internal and external roadblocks. It is why it has always been a personal mission to support and encourage creativity, wherever it may be — even if and when I failed at living a creative life myself. It is also why I feel like I have finally found my life’s calling in this most recent adventure.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Throughout my life, I have spent a great deal of time with non-creatives, whether it’s through my work at the time or just in the wide circle of friends I have cultivated. The top misunderstanding I have come across — and sometimes fallen prey to myself, about myself — is the thought that creatives are flighty, irresponsible, financially illiterate, or any other number of condescending comments along those lines.

Yet the reality is that most are incredibly hard-working, and willing to sacrifice an incredible amount, to achieve their goals/fulfill the artistic call. Many have very interesting life experiences and a different way of looking at things, both of which can provide new ways of solving problems or tackling projects.

The more I have surrounded myself with and sought the counsel of creative people, as well as the more that I have encouraged and nurtured my own creative instincts, the better I have managed responsibilities and issues in my life. Encouraging creative instincts – even if you think you’re not creative or especially if you’re not – is so important for everyone: Having broader views provides additional resources and insights that can benefit all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.denvergraffititour.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denvergraffititour/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverGraffitiTour

Image Credits
Image Files are titled with the names of the Artists, using their Instagram names and then their personal names in parentheses. Also a list below. I thought this would make it easiest on you / production staff. *** Please note artist in the caption; and if possible, also their Instagram handle Artist Names: Ally Grimm — @A.L._Grime A.G. Paint — @Ag_Pnt + Dillon Wanner — @DillyDally.Ing Casey Kawaguchi — @CaseyKawaguchi Chelsea Lewinski — @ChelseaLewinski Chloé Duplessis — @Duplessis.Art** + Valerie Rose* — @HelloValerieRose Jorge Cuartas — @JorgeCuartas Danielle SeeWalker — @SeeWalker_Art * From California ** Currently Chloé, after being the artist in residence in Trinidad, CO for the last year, has returned to Denver All photos taken by Jana Novak or by friends who do not want/need credit: “Courtesy of Jana Novak”