2024 Power 100: Khalil Guzman-Jerry
Photo I Courtesy of theWorcesterWorkshop
Khalil Guzman-Jerry
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Khalil Guzman-Jerry is a young artist with an agenda.
“I tell everyone I know, I expect to shine a light on this city,” he said.
Guzman-Jerry, a lifelong Worcester resident, is determined to do that through the creation of artist events and festivals to more comprehensively establish Worcester as a true cultural destination.
He founded his company, theWorcesterWorkshop, for that purpose in 2020, offering interior and exterior murals, prints and paintings, and graphic clothing for sale.
The public murals, in particular, are where the influence of Guzman-Jerry and other artists like him is most visible. He has been a contributor to the Worcester Walls arts festival, which transformed public spaces into vibrant pieces of street art, helping to infuse Worcester with a welcoming urban vibe.
Starting the way many creatives today do – sharing Instagram posts of his art to create a following – Guzman-Jerry has been energized by his progress in contributing to the creative economy after three years in business.
In November, Guzman-Jerry hosted his first gallery event, the XO Show, at the Jean McDonough Arts Center on Franklin Street. He sold 88 of the 96 pieces of art he created for the show, but moreover, Guzman-Jerry was pleased to create buzz to draw people into Worcester.
It was a learning experience, with some last-minute design changes needed due to space and budget constraints, but Guzman-Jerry expects it will be the first of many in the city.
With his first big event under his belt, Guzman-Jerry is coming into his own as an established artistic leader. Shying away from embracing his influence, he plans to build on his momentum through persistence.
“I just believe if you do something every day, a door will eventually open, but you have to work every day so you’re prepared when that door opens,” he said.
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