Avery Kelley 
Connection. A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. A concept where we share our inner most thoughts and feelings with one another. An action or feeling that brings us closer together, strengthening us as a society.
Connections can be formed in a variety of different ways. With one of the most impactful being through art. From music, to dance, to visual arts such as drawing and painting, these pieces can connect us through experience, culture, and love. This type of connection is artist Dwight White’s mission. White is an artist originally from Houston, TX, but now a resident of Chicago, who curates art pieces exploring human perspectives and discussions surrounding Black excellence.
His passion for art first began at a very early age. He shares, “I always felt as if art was something that just came naturally to me, providing me with a new medium to express myself outside of just words.” And although art had always been his passion, it wasn’t always his path. White started off playing football at Northwestern University, eventually transitioning into working in consumer marketing and insights. It wasn’t until 2014 when he decided to take his work as an artist seriously. He shares how these past experiences didn’t just influence his work, but shaped him into the artist he has become.
“The corporate space for example, helped me understand business significantly, better than I would have without having that part of my experience…and y’know as a student athlete, you learn a lot about discipline…trial and error, brushing things off, moving onto the next play.”
He shares that throughout his work, he continues to use that approach. Knowing that although nothing will be perfect, you can continue to practice and perfect your craft, ultimately becoming the best artist you possibly can be.
Throughout his art, he hones in on the power of individualism, identity, and the Black experience, past and present. “I think of my art as a way of documenting the times, documenting the moments, so as times and moments change, I imagine the subject will change as well.” But outside of his personal pieces, he works on giving back to the people and collaborating with community organizations. His most recent project is a recently revealed mural with Allstate and the U.S. Soccer Federation in Chicago. The execution of the mural took a total of four days, serving as a beacon of inspiration and hope to the organization’s young athletes.
“I was a young athlete at one point, and am a person of color…understanding the mindset of someone in their youth, aiming to become a better athlete, to perfect their craft, and maybe being under-resourced,” said White. “For me that’s how it [the mural] was really in alignment.”
But finding projects that are in alignment with his mission and goals can sometimes be a struggle. “As a creator, and as an artist, I feel like I’ve had a lot of opportunities to partner with different brands, and organizations. And really my biggest challenge, has been identifying those who are in alignment with my mission, and things that I stand for that I want to communicate and put out into the world.” When living the life of an artist, the day to day often won’t look the same. “You’ll have months where things are thriving, excelling, you have times where you need to get into your creative bag, and take time to conceptualize, and those times can be challenging because conceptualizing doesn’t make you money.”
But even with these difficult barriers, White never fails to break them, persevering with each step, encouraging artists to stick to their stories and innovative ideas.
“It starts with authenticity, knowing that your original ideas are kind of your superpower as a creator, and that no one else can really come up with what is happening in your brain. The best advice is to put it out there… you never know what someone’s looking for. You never who it’s gonna resonate with. Connect with one person, it’ll probably connect with someone else, and then someone else. It’ll continue to grow. It’s like a tree.”
Stay up to date with all of Dwight White’s work by visiting his website dwhiteart.com and following on Instagram: @dwight.originals.
By Avery Kelley
Instagram: @askaveryk / X: @averykels
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