About Dana Todd Pope: 

Dana Todd Pope, born Dana Todd, is a self-taught multi-disciplinary artist, author, illustrator, model, actress, and fashion designer from the South Side of Chicago.   In addition to her fine art, Dana is most noted for her children’s series, recently rebranded as Fearlessly Hue.  Influenced by notable brands/artists like American Girl, Keith Haring, and Paul Frank, she describes her work as encouraging, disruptive, and self-affirming.  

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In 2019, her work was featured in corporate exhibitions for Hyatt International, Northern Trust, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Twitter. Permanent Exhibitions include the UIC Mile Square Health Center Pediatric Clinic, Metropolitan Family Services Centers, Smarty Pants Early Learning Center, and most recently a twenty-one piece installation at the McKenzie Boys and Girls Club in Sun Prairie, WI in 2020.  Prominent 2019 exhibitions include Essence Magazine, The DuSable Museum- A Smithsonian Affiliate, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Afropunk Paris, and Spectrum Art Fair: Art Basel/ Art Miami. 

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Dana is currently represented by AYZHA Fine Arts Gallery in Milwaukee, WI and is a founding artist member of the Pigment International Arts Collective.  For modeling, Dana is represented by Wilhelmina Models Chicago and is a proud member of the Screen Actors’ Guild.  

Dana Todd Pope

Artist Statement-

 “I am encouraging by nature, an exhorter if you will. It's no wonder it carries on into my work. I don’t create work just to occupy space on the wall. I realize God gave me this gift to share and make aware. At the end of the day, I hope my work validates and stirs something on the inside of the viewer. For adults, I want them to remember their greatest hope for their life, born early childhood, and make the decision to rediscover the path to their greatest fulfillment. For children, I want them to dream, visualize themselves accomplishing their goals, and know that anything is possible.” ~Dana Todd Pope

POSITIONS-

Owner/ Lead Artist- Dana Todd Pope Fine Art

Co-Founder of Collaborative Mavericks: An Artist Coalition

Former Ministry Leader: Alpha Visual Arts Ministry of The Salem Baptist Church of Chicago 

EXHIBITIONS AND FESTIVALS-

AFROPUNK LONDON, UK

2015 Official Artist- Chicago Jazz Festival

Work Featured on EMPIRE finale on FOX-TV 2015

ESSENCE Music Festival, New Orleans

2014 Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Midwest Semi-Finalist Juried Exhibition

The Museum of Science and Industry (Juried Exhibition)

The Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany, New York

DuSable Museum, Chicago

Permanently on display at The University of Illinois Mile Square Center

Permanently on display at Metropolitan Family Services Libby Center

Permanently on display at Smarty Pants Early Learning Center

Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Art Sale & Auction

Macy’s Romare Bearden 100th birthday 10 City Tour

Gallery Guichard, Chicago

The Murphy Hill Gallery, Chicago

Gorgeous Galleries, Chicago

The Gallery at Oakwood Shores, Chicago

NBFAS, New York City

Macy's Herald Square, New York City

The Rauner YMCA Fundraiser

The Mason Murer Gallery, Atlanta

The Griffin Gallery and Interiors, Chicago

The National Urban League Conference, Chicago

The Chicago Board of Education

Northern Trust Corporate Offices, Chicago

River North Galleries, Chicago

Gallery D' Estee- The Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc.

"A Brush with Destiny" Art Show and Fundraiser

Cabrini Green Legal Aid Annual Benefit

KPMG

Jack n' Jill Fundraiser

Chicago Children’s Choir Fundraiser at the Union League Club of Chicago

Chicago Artist Month Participant- A.R.I.S.E. Creatives Workshop

The Mulholland Tennis Club in Hollywood, CA.

Lacuna Artist Lofts Reverie Gallery

ETA, Chicago, IL

Literacy Chicago Fundraiser and Auction at the Willis Tower, Chicago

The South Side Community Art Center

The Downtown Evanston Art Walk

Whole Foods Market, South Loop Chicago

Barbara Bates Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Noyes Cultural Arts Center of Evanston, IL

Barrington Festival of Art

North Shore Art Festival

AWARDS AND HONORS

2015 Official Artist- Chicago Jazz Festival

A.R.I.S.E business plan competition 1st place winner

Macy's NBFAS Annex Participant, New York City

Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Midwest Semi-Finalist at Gallery Guichard

Paintings featured in an Anthony Hamilton Music video

Painting featured on EMPIRE finale, FOX-TV