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

Janeva, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Legacy projects are the most meaningful ones – they outlive you and can make a lasting impact on society. It could be something tangible or even a spark that ignites change in someone’s life. As an artist, my primary mission is to inspire and impact, share stories, love, and provide hope to those who need it most. Through my art, I have inspired communities, uplifted my peers, and brought vibrancy and hope to underserved neighborhoods.

From 2021 to 2022, I had the privilege of designing a three-story mural in an impoverished North Charleston neighborhood. The area was rife with crime, drug use, and littered with empty bottles and debris. However, I saw something different – an opportunity for change. Working with Care in Action’s South Carolina State Director, Maria Reyes, I was commissioned to create a mural empowering Black women. I chose to take African American female leaders from surrounding neighborhoods and turn them into superheroes.

During my work on the mural, I faced numerous challenges. Male passersby constantly questioned my abilities and suggested that women should not operate lifts, implying that it was a man’s job. One day, while working on the mural 30 feet up in the air, the lift stopped working. When the lift company came to fix it, a man walked to us and accused me of breaking it. Thankfully, the lift operator defended me, explaining that there was a short in the pedal that I couldn’t have caused. I was grateful for the operator’s support, as he was able to witness the types of challenges I had been facing for weeks.

The frequent negative comments regarding my abilities as a woman were disheartening, and I couldn’t help but worry about the message to young girls in the community might be receiving. How can we encourage them to reach for their dreams when they’re constantly told what they can and cannot achieve?

Having vision and confidence are more critical than having opportunities. Understanding this, I remained determined to showcase my ability and motivate young girls in the community to believe in themselves and their potential to achieve anything.

I started creating vibrant artwork that highlights African American women in powerful roles. Through my work, I aimed to communicate that women are capable of extraordinary things, regardless of their age or ethnicity. My goal being to inspire and educate everyone who sees the art and let them know that women are capable reaching far beyond the stars.

After a few months, it seemed like the community had grown accustomed to myself and the mural’s presence. My favorite moments were when little girls would walk by and point, and women would bring their daughters to admire it. I also enjoyed seeing groups of boys gather to chat about art and the women depicted on the wall over the summer months. Through the mural, I introduced the community to something new and highlighted the significance of representation in all roles.

Once the mural was complete, I placed six plaques on the wall, detailing these women’s great accomplishments:

– Alice Childress: A novelist, playwright, and actress, who is widely recognized as “the only African-American woman to have written, produced, and published plays for four decades.
– Septima Poinsette Clark: Known as the “queen mother of the civil rights movement,” she helped establish schools across the South that taught Black people to read, which was a requirement for voting. Thanks to these schools, two million African-Americans gained the right to vote.
– Lucille Simmons Whipper: She became the first African American administrator at The College of Charleston and developed its first affirmative action plan. In 1985, she was also the first African American female elected as a state official from the tri-county area.
– Mary Jackson: A fiber artist who gained recognition for her sweetgrass basket weaving, which combined traditional West African techniques with contemporary designs.
– Anna DeCosta Banks: A nursing pioneer who inspired countless students during her tenure as the first head nurse at the Hospital and Training School for Nurses in Charleston.
– Janie Jenkins: A Civil Rights trailblazer who, along with her husband Esau, owned a fleet of four buses that were used to transport people to work in the City of Charleston, take children to Burke High School, and drive adults to the polls to register and vote.

The community could now learn about them and their impact on the world. Each individual had a huge role in impacting change and leading African Americans towards gaining their freedom and opening up opportunities in creative, health, and political sectors. They tread paths that could have gotten them killed at the time, to justly highlight a path of right and change. Hence why I named the mural “The Wave of Change,” with a sonic wave breaking through it.

So, what happened next? The once abandoned location underwent a complete transformation thanks to the mural, which opened up new funding opportunities. The mural caught the eye of Ed Sutton, a real estate tycoon and art enthusiast, who bought the building with the goal of surrounding the entire area with art and murals. The area now serves as an art hub and tourist attraction. In addition to renovating the shambled building, Sutton plans to convert the units into restaurants and stores to bring more traffic and job opportunities to the community. To further enhance the vibrant atmosphere of the neighborhood, he commissioned another mural right across from “The Wave of Change.”

When visiting the site, it is inspiring to see parents bringing their sons and daughters together to read about impactful leaders. It’s also heartwarming to see the many social media tags that mention its impact. In 2021, “The Wave of Change” was featured in the Post and Courier, and in 2023, upon its completion, CHS Today recognized it as one of Charleston’s most meaningful murals.

It’s a living truth that everyone, with their unique talents and bravery, has the capacity to bring about change. A single spark can ignite a movement. My objective was to motivate and elevate the community, and even after my departure, others were inspired to take on this vision. Whenever I visit, I’m delighted to witness the positive changes that all started with a mural.

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.

Janeva Tyree LLC: Encouraging Creativity and Community Through Art

Our mission is to promote creativity and community through “Art that Sparks: Conversation, Connection, Creativity, and Community.” We curate art and experiences that celebrate the interconnectedness of our world and inspire everyone to embrace their individuality, talents, and imagination to make a positive impact on the universe.

My backstory is rooted in a strong faith, supportive and devout family, an accepting and diverse group of friends, and a passion for art. Art was my outlet during tough times, and I always thought it was the most enjoyable career choice. However, I came to realize that it takes a lot of confidence to share your soul with the world, because that’s what art is – soul work.

Growing up, I drew all the time in school and church. I discovered a love for painting during high school, and it continued to grow while I majored in illustration at SCAD. After college, I expanded my horizons and worked on graphic design, sculpture, teaching, social media influencing, branding, murals, and more. Starting my own business, Janeva Tyree LLC, has been the most rewarding experience.

My brand is built on creativity and inclusivity. I believe in the African proverb, “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth,” and strive to create a welcoming and inspiring environment. I want everyone who interacts with my brand to feel loved and to see their purpose in the world. My products include paintings, prints, apparel, and more. I also accept commissions for projects such as paintings and murals, as long as it allows me to add a touch of my unique style.

To experience “Art that Sparks: Conversation, Connection, Creativity, and Community,” visit my website at www.JanevaTyree.com or follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok at @JanevaTyree.

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

For creatives, there’s nothing quite like waking up to a job that inspires them and knowing that their own journey has led them to this point. It’s a source of great pride and strength.

As creatives, it often feels like we don’t quite fit into society’s molds. This is because we’re wired to think outside of the box, to see things differently, and to constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible. Without this, our creativity would be nothing more than imitation.

Turning an idea into something original requires a unique vision and the ability to take risks. It takes guts to pursue something that hasn’t been done before, and passion to do it without the promise of financial reward.

In short, to be a creative, you have to be either crazy or an inspired, visionary risk-taker. It’s a fiery career field that’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s also one of the most rewarding paths you can take that yields the potential to inspire and positively impact countless lives.

How did you build your audience on social media?

The Power of Persistence over Perfection in the Creative Process

As an artist, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of perfection, feeling like everything needs to be flawless before it’s revealed to the world. However, there’s value in sharing your journey with others, including the highs and lows, ebbs and flows. The most inspirational leaders show their imperfections from time to time, making them relatable and human.

Personally, I used to wait until my work was complete to showcase it to others. But one day, I saw a post that said “Sometimes the things you put the least effort into has the most impact.” This inspired me to create a seven-second video of a work-in-progress painting, which I quickly shared with the world. To my surprise, it went viral, and this experience changed the way I interacted with my audience. By giving them a glimpse into my creative process and sharing unfinished ideas, I was able to connect with my followers on a deeper level.

The truth is, we all fall short of perfection, but as the saying goes, “It is okay to be down, just don’t stay down.” It’s important to keep moving forward, and if something doesn’t work out, there’s always a next time. Sometimes, it’s not just about reaching your destination, but also about what you learn along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JanevaTyree.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/JanevaTyree
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanevaTyreeArt

Image Credits
Dweh Brown at Homebase Photography