VANESSA STOKES

Vanessa Stokes is an Artist, Curator, Photographer and Owner of VS Creative Consulting LLC. VS Creative Consulting is an artist management, project management and community engagement firm where her main client is Dorrell Creightney, Vanessa’s Father. Dorrell Creightney had the first black owned commercial photography studio in Chicago and after his death left behind a 300,000 image collection. In addition, she is a cultural organizer and curator of several public art displays in the Austin community, including 2 displays of the work of Dorrell Creightney located inside the train stations at Austin and Central on CTA’s Green line train.

Currently, Vanessa is managing Special Service Area 72 (AV72) in the Austin Community and collaborating with local artists and community members creating the future of art and public art on the Westside of Chicago. She is the Co-president of the Austin Town Hall Park Advisory Council and the Chair of the Austin Town Hall Park Art & Culture Committee. Lastly, Vanessa is the President of the board at A House In Austin, on the board and the Chair of the Advisory Board at the Austin Renaissance Council volunteers on The Hatchery Community Advisory Committee and Advisory Circle at the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation.