Designing for Good.

“Let’s take a critical look at what ‘high-quality’ visual language & experiences mean.

We can change the perception of what constitutes a 'good' neighborhood with communal creative interactions—using tools like graphic design, murals, and just art in general to spotlight the beauty of areas and people who’ve historically been undervalued.”

— Me, all day. Every day.

latest works…

“I stay shouting from the rooftops how dope you are! You’re our not-so-secret graphic-designing/grant-writing, event-coordinating/ project-managing leader & I’m just glad to have you in my corner.”

—Tonika Lewis Johnson, social justice activist/artist

Currently…

Press, Press, Press, Press, Press!

Artists JoVonna Jackson and Janell Nelson’s giant butterfly sculpture takes flight with the Nature Museum

Art as Restorative Justice: Supporting UnBlocked Englewood

Equiticity, Englewood Arts Collective and efforts to support the work the Go Green on Racine team is doing to reopen the Green Line

Janell Nelson and Dr. Maria Krysan are one of 7 winners in this national competition: Folded Map Curriculum Design!

Janell Nelson is the Hidden Philanthropist Honoree for the acclaimed "The Soul of Philanthropy” national exhibition

The Englewood Arts Collective Is Transforming A Vacant South Shore Storefront Into An Artist’s Haven

The City Is Bringing More Public Art To The South And West Sides — And Neighbors Can Choose What It Will Be

Choose Chicago Commissions Local Artist Janell Nelson to design tourism cover

Chicago Tribune: Englewood Arts Collective supports the inaugural Englewood Music Fest with unique Activations

Children’s Section of Dr. King’s Library to get 1.5 million in Renovations thanks to Local Mom Janell Nelson’s Proposal

Find Your Chicago Map Twin — And Better Understand What Life Is Like On The Other Side — With Free Folded Map Kits

ezgif.com-gif-maker (2).gif — Creative Strategist, Thought-partner-meets-visual-solution-producer. ARTIST.

All that to say: I’m very good at leading the distillation and delivery of ideas, and am most vibrant in spaces where I can help teams communicate and build experiences.
**Public Art** producer. From sculpture concepts to project management of murals, I manifest magic with the community served.
**Art Director** with almost 20 years of graphic design experience in educational publishing and non-profit spaces.
**Owner of** JNJ Creative LLC, an award-winning micro-biz producing collateral & design concepts for philanthropic and public-serving entities.
**Co-founder and Director of Activations & Engagement** for Englewood Arts Collective, a dope lil’ group of professional artists from this south side Chicago neighborhood, working to reframe the narrative of what can be.

Janell and her son outside — Model multitasker

Because we are the sum of our parts and then some, the formal work that I do is but a sliver of who I am—since my **biggest** role to-date is Mama. Curating Black boy joy on a daily basis and doing my part to shape a world where he can grow up safe and seen fuels most of my efforts.

TL,DR:

In brief, catch me around town all up and through Chicago. I’ll be behind a laptop, at an arts activation, or commiserating and consulting with residents, local leaders and bureaucrats alike to advocate for and upend misperceptions of systemically misrepresented communities using the best skill I have at my disposal: creativity.