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

Hi Johnny, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I would like my legacy to be an Arts Center that anyone from any walk of life can come to and create Art,any kind of Art, and to broaden the horizons for those experiencing Homelessness and hopelessness through the Power of Art.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was homeless and living in a tent, I had been creating things out of copper wire and glass to earn money. Then just as the pandemic started, Ann-Marie Fitzsimmons of Help Right Here Chattanooga reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in starting an art group. I said yes and we started meeting at my camp. The first meeting I was encouraged to paint instead of working with copper so I grabbed a canvas, paint and brushes and haven’t put them down since then. About three months of our (once a week) meetings we decided to have an Art exhibit at Wanderlinger Art Gallery with the help of Curator Rik Herrmann. The turn out for the event was Amazing! People were buying my paintings like crazy…we had an “Artists Talk” with the guests and most of the questions were directed to me about my art and being homeless. That night I found my Dignity and Self worth, I felt Human again…It was Life Changing. I decided then that I wanted others in my situation to experience what I did that night and see their lives changed through the Power of Art! Then and there Artists in Transition was born.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Lol… well I don’t get out much but as a tour guide for a friend, breakfast at the Innside Cafe is a must, then mix it up through the week with visits to numerous Art studios and galleries around town such as Wanderlinger and Clearstory and AVA. Meet for coffee at Becaffeinated on the North shore. Lunch at the Pickle Barrel or Good Dog. Dinner I would mostly prepare at home but if we went out , it would be Champy’s chicken or Sweet Basil. I would definitely want them to see what I do and am passionate about and that would be helping the homeless with outreach and Peer support opportunities.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people deserve recognition for where we are today. Help Right Here Chattanooga: Ann-Marie Fitzsimmons and Niki Keck are amazing for their encouragement and work in the homeless community. Rik Herrman- Artist and Curator Wanderlinger Art Gallery. Amy McKay-Artist and Photographer and so many others. And especially all of the Artists (past and present) that have been a part of Artists in Transition and help make it what it is today.

Website: artistsintransitioninc.com

Instagram: Artist in transition

Facebook: John Rankin/Artists in Transition

Other: johnrankinart.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.