Tonika Lewis Johnson's project, unBlocked Englewood, aims to beautify the 6500 block of South Aberdeen Street in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood with murals, gardens, and landscaping. Johnson recognized that starting with art alone would be disrespectful to the residents, who have long suffered from racist housing practices that devalued their land. Instead, she secured grants from the City of Chicago and the Terra Foundation for American Art to combine public art with home repairs. The results have been transformative. Speaking with Rundown podcast host Erin Allen, Johnson emphasized the power of creativity in dismantling systemic injustices.
Tonika Lewis Johnson’s unBlocked Englewood project transforms the 6500 block of South Aberdeen Street with murals, gardens, and home repairs, addressing the legacy of racist housing practices. Supported by grants, Johnson discusses the power of creativity in challenging systemic injustices in an interview with Erin Allen.
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An initiative of the Terra Foundation for American Art in partnership with artists and organizations across the city, Art Design Chicago is a series of events and exhibitions that highlight the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.
