Rising Stars: Meet Lacy Talley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lacy Talley. 

Hi Lacy, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been an artist since I was a kid! I picked up after my dad because he’s an artist as well. I didn’t take drawing/ painting seriously until my senior year of high school. I studied Graphic Design and Pan African Studies at Kent State University from 2014-2018. During my time at Kent, I was introduced to a non-profit organization called the Marcus Graham Project by a few of my peers. The Marcus Graham Project’s iCR8™ programs are designed to provide diverse aspirants in the field of marketing and media, including advertising, PR & social media with the exposure and experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry. Through my experience with the program, I had the opportunity to work with amazing talent from across the country and major clients such as Cleveland Cavaliers, Google, Moet Hennessy, Fossil, Spotify, and most recently the National Basketball Association. Currently, I serve as one of the Art Directors on the Alumni Board. Recently, I had the amazing opportunity of being one of the designers of the Kareem Adbul-Jabber Social Justice Champion Trophy. The trophy recognizes a current NBA player for pursuing social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for historically marginalized or systemically disadvantaged individuals and groups. It was such an honor to be a part of this legacy project! Here’s an article on the trophy! 

https://www.nba.com/news/nba-unveils-redesigned-kareem-abdul-jabbar-trophy-social-justice-champion-award 

Secondly, I have the honor of being one of the designers of the Cleveland Summit location Marker. Nearly 55 years ago, a group of prominent athletes, including Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Bill Russell, and Lew Alcindor — who changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — came to Cleveland for a moment in history that’s influenced modern athlete social activism. Here’s article to learn more about the marker and its importance. This marker will be revealed around Juneteenth this year! 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2022/02/nba-seeks-to-honor-ali-summit-site-with-historical-marker-power-of-sport-summit.html 

Lastly, I’m a Freelance Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Muralist! I have a couple of murals around the city and I work with different businesses and non-profits in and out of state. I have a home decor store called Talley Marxx & Co. I sell and create original paintings, ashtrays, coaster sets, prints, stickers, and more! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely not been smooth! Throughout my journey, I’ve experienced intense trauma, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and more but in all honesty, going through that has made me stronger and more resilient. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Freelance Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Muralist! I specialize in original paintings, digital art, logo design, website design, flyers, branding, marketing, mural art, animations, motion design, making ashtrays, cigar trays. 

I’m known for my trippy style of art, the trophy design, my mural art, my ashtrays. 

I’m extremely proud of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Trophy and The Cleveland Summit Marker. I’m also proud of how I’ve become more confident in myself as an artist. 

I believe what sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I work hard for what I have and what I want to achieve. When I have an idea, my mind doesn’t stopping thinking of ways to amplify the idea even more. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I like how our city is changing. The art scene is becoming more prominent and I love the direction it’s going. I don’t like how our city doesn’t have a community-based mindset. A lot of our talent leaves the city because of the lack of support from the people who are around us. If that were to change, so much of our talent would still live in Cleveland. A group of creatives and myself are working to combat that by having a collaboration art show called Cleveland Collabs. The purpose of this show is to unify over 25 local artists of different backgrounds so they can learn from each other, explore new techniques and gain the experience of working with another artist! The opening night of the art show will be held May 21st from 7-11 at on Current Cleveland 1300 W. 78th St! 

Contact Info:

• Email: lacecreates216@gmail.com
• Website: https://talleymarxxandco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacerrrr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talleymarxxandco/?ref=py_c
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lacerrrr
• Other: https://lacytalley.com/

Image Credits
Sam Smith
Andrew D. Bernstein
Adam Pantozzi