ENGLEWOOD — Seven Englewood artists have come together to form a group aiming to change the public perception of Englewood.
The newly formed Englewood Arts Collective consists of a writer, mosaic artist, muralist, musician/rapper, a graphic designer and two photographers.
“I started the Collective as a personal act of resistance against the horrendous and continued belief that there is no value or assets in Englewood,” said Tonika Lewis Johnson, a photographer. “We are essentially a group of Englewood artists that's severely passionate about community work and the power of contemporary art serving as a conduit for social awareness.”
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Lewis Johnson said the group, all from Englewood, is eager to use their art and skills to change the perception of their neighborhood. The goal is to show a “true reflection.” She said they want to inform the public about the significance and importance of people within a community narrating their own story and image.
The Collective's founding members include Joe Nelson, Janell Nelson, Jovanna Jackson, Glen Felix, Tanya Ward and Pugs Atomz.
“The Englewood Arts Collective is severely passionate about community work and the power of contemporary art serving as a conduit for social awareness," the group said in a statement. "Each are active artists, eager to use their art and skills to challenge public perception of Englewood and Chicago’s South Side to demonstrate a truer reflection of the community they all have deep connections with. They aim to inform the general public about the significance and importance of people within a community narrating their own story and image.”
