Nitashia Johnson and Felicia Jordan-Jones
Nitashia Johnson
Artist Statement
I am committed to using my time on this planet to inspire and assist others, especially the youth, through my creative work and artistic journey. I firmly believe that art has the power to heal and bring about transformation in people's lives.
When I was younger, I always created works to make others happy or to support them in one way or another. That way of thinking still manifests in me today. Helping others and being able to share their stories is the reason I continue to make art. My exposure to art helped me grow and share love. I believe that my role as an artist is to share and tell stories, to capture and create moments that will stand the test of time. Art, design, and video give me the power to help others express who they are. These creative areas also help me express myself as well. In fact, my creative practice is simply a self-portrait in which I have the opportunity to experiment with and change every day.
Art is a tool for healing, a way to connect with others, and a means to uplift individuals. It is through art that we can help young people discover their own creativity and provide them with a platform for self-expression and growth. My goal is to create opportunities that allow youth to immerse themselves in the world of art, empowering them to unlock their unique creative abilities and make a positive impact in their own lives and communities. My ultimate mission is to utilize art as a catalyst for positive change on both an individual and collective level. By sharing my creative work and artistic process, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own creativity, find their authentic voices, and effect meaningful change in their lives and the lives of those around them and the overall world.
Bio
As a multimedia artist and educator from Dallas, Johnson was educated at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Texas Woman’s University and the Rhode Island School of Design. She is a digital media specialist also pursuing freelance work in photography, videography and design. She founded The Smart Project, a non-profit after-school program for teens in North Texas to leading creative workshops that help young people discover their unique voices.
Her Self Publication Series is a photographic exploration to challenge the stereotypes surrounding the Black community, offering a more nuanced, empowering narrative. She plans to take this project further by creating a short documentary series that follows past participants, capturing their personal journeys in new and meaningful ways. Johnson's project The Beauty of South Dallas documents the rapid transformation of a historical neighborhood affected by socio-economic shifts. The Faces That Face work to shine a light on environmental injustices in West Dallas. Through this work, Johnson aims to preserve the essence of a community in transition, highlighting both its beauty and its challenges.
Felicia Jordan
Artist Statement
My artistic practice explores the complex relationships we have with our physical, mental and emotional selves. Using a blend of traditional techniques and modern three-dimensional fabrications, I delve into the impact of individual trauma and the universal experience of loss.
Currently, I focus on the Black experience—examining the layers of generational trauma and the resilience that rises from it. My work reflects both personal and collective pain, transforming the invisible into tangible forms. Each piece is inspired by the stories of my community, where I find strength and healing in their shared experiences.
Through my art, I aim to create an empathic connection with viewers, inviting them to confront their vulnerabilities and recognize the transformative power of resilience. Ultimately, my practice is about healing—honoring the scars of the past while embracing the potential for growth and regeneration.
Bio
Felicia Jordan was born and raised in Dallas and is a graduate of Booker T. Washington of the Performing and Visual Arts. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
After experiencing the trauma of losing a brother from heart failure, a mother from cancer and father from Alzheimer's, Felicia’s work is inspired by the secrets that our body’s hide from the outside world and ourselves. Coming to terms with the passing of her relatives and the emotional turmoil left behind, she creates empathy works that bring to the forefront the struggles of blackness in medicine, while also building a bridge to unite audience members through the universality of loss of trauma.
Page last updated 9:31 AM, January 29, 2025