Kenny Mascary is the Community Partnership Manager at Now + There, as well as a DJ and event producer in and around Boston.
“[Boston artists] have assisted each other in finding employment, workshops, and grant opportunities to sustain ourselves financially, and other times energizing each other so that we can stay on track.”
- Johnetta Tinker
The journey of a working artist is filled with obstacles and opportunities. Success takes many forms whether the artist defines it as achieving measurable goals, overcoming obstacles one at a time or taking advantage of unexpected opportunities that come their way. Artists Johnetta Tinker and Susan Thompson are no strangers to the art of HUSTLE. From working multiple jobs at a time to working for free, Johnetta and Susan turned every setback and “NO” into inspiration and everlasting success, not only as Black artists, but as exemplary educators, model citizens, and aspirational legacies.
Through their collaborative quilted mural piece, “Deeply Rooted in the NeighborHOOD”, now on view in Grove Hall at Breezes Laundromat, Johnetta and Susan depict the essence of joy and everyday lives of the people in the neighborhood. They also pay homage to their mentor, renowned Boston artist Alan Rohan Crite, and share with us the deepening breadth of their art practices.
During a recent virtual N+T Asks conversation, these two art friends, co-conspirators, and hustlers discussed the role that the “HOOD” continues to play in their artmaking practices, personal inspirations, and art influences.
You can watch the conversation here and let us know what resonated with you and what conversations you want to see next!
Image: Deeply Rooted in the NeighborHOOD: homage to Allan Rohan Crite, 2021 by Johnetta Tinker + Susan Thompson, photo by Faith Ninivaggi (c)