about the artist
Dream Aloud! was our first collaborative project: a 48”x48” acrylic and collage piece inspired by the MLK50: Beyond the Balcony anniversary observance. Neither of us had tackled anything of this caliber before, and we did not know one another, but we both committed to communicating our combined voices...on canvas.
Over the period of one month, we talked about hopes and dreams, racial divides, economic barriers, friends, family, and the daily grind. Neither of us being painters, we challenged ourselves to put brushes to the canvas, trusting that something meaningful, if not beautiful, would emerge. Through this process, we discovered not only that we could push ourselves and each other to new levels, but that our intent was to project a message of hope to others in our community and the world... plus we formed a fast and lasting friendship.
Anthony Massey is a freelance sketch artist, quiet philosopher, and father. He is a graduate of LifeLine to Success Prison to Promise re-entry program and remains a leadership figure to current members of the program. Anthony works full time and reserves his artistic talents for his own quiet introspection and entertainment.
Anthony: “Art for me is my way of expressing myself through having a silent “getaway.” As a child, and even now, I am an introvert, and art is the tool that I use to become creative within my thoughts and imagination. As a child, I was always fascinated by the different visions and eyes that other artists used to express themselves and the inspirations behind their work. I am really into animation art, but over the course of time became appreciative of all artwork. Creativity has no bounds, no limits, and is a pure example of putting one's thoughts into whatever the artists decide to use as their canvas.” Jana Wilson is an assemblage and mixed-media artist from Frayser, Memphis, TN. She is currently the Director of Arkwings Foundation in Frayser and is actively engaged in her community. While she has salvaged broken items and found objects to create visual stories since childhood, her “art career” did not begin until she was 52 years old. Jana has been featured in RSVP Magazine's Street Seen, participates in numerous group exhibits, and sells art and vintage at local and regional artisan markets.
Jana: “For me, the act of creating art is all about the experience. I am often inspired by vintage, broken, or damaged items, pieced together in ways that weave a story. Each found treasure carries memories from the past, and, when assembled, they evoke fantastic tales whose endings are written in the viewer's imagination. My favorite pieces are collaborative, evolving organically through dialogue with friends, strangers, and other artists. When I learn more about others and produce a piece that draws people deeper into a conversation, then the process has been a success.”
