We had the good fortune of connecting with Julio Mejia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julio, what do you attribute your success to?
The success of my brand as an artist stems from the importance of academic engagement and the dynamic interplay between my creativity and diverse mediums i explore.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve noticed that institutions acquiring my work hold significant cultural and historical value. For instance, the U.S. Southern Command, where every U.S. president has met for over 60 years, will endure as long as the nation itself.
Additionally, City College of New York, the oldest public college in the U.S., acquired one of my paintings and hosted my longest-running solo exhibition at Aaron Davis Hall for three years, attracting over 30,000 visitors, including a visit from President Obama.
A standout moment for me was having one of my 16′ paintings displayed in the lobby of Christies located at the iconic Rockefeller Plaza. where the reception was overwhelmingly positive and exciting.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a visitor for a week, l’d take them to some iconic Atlanta spots. We’d enjoy delicious Southern dishes at Paschal’s, a staple with deep ties to the civil rights movement, and explore our vibrant art scene at ZuCot Gallery and other exciting venues.
A snack at The Varsity for its unique drive-thru experience would be a must. We’d also visit my old Feed & Seed artist residency to relax with cigars and a cocktail or two. And if we still need to unwind, we’d grab some treats at my favorite 24-hour spot Sublime Donuts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I didn’t speak until I was 4. One day, my teacher called my parents to show them a kitten I had drawn for my father. She had never seen a child draw like that. My parents always embraced my creativity, no matter how i expressed it.

Website: https://juliomejia.com

Instagram: @juliomejiastudios

Linkedin: Julio Mejía

Image Credits
City College of New York
Christie’s
Emma Darnell Aviation Museum

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