Nick Brown’s art is designed to unlock human potential—not only within ourselves but also in the people, places, and perspectives we encounter. Nick not only creates incredible art, but he’s also able to build a movement around it.

In 2023, Nick’s life was forever changed when his mother was tragically murdered, with his younger brother as the lead suspect. She had been his greatest supporter, urging him to share his art with the world versus keeping it private. His younger brother had also supported his work in the past. Nick’s father, the first African American basketball player at Texas A&M passed away when Nick was a teen then months later, one of his best friends was murdered. Nick never let these tragedies become excuses. Instead, he used them as a positive catalyst to honor their legacies while stepping into his own light.

Based in Chicagoland, born 1986, Nick Brown is an emerging contemporary artist and placemaker who blends traditional painting techniques with AI to create abstract mixed-media works that explore social, cultural, and intellectual themes. He brings his art to life by transforming underutilized spaces into immersive pop-up showcases getting people outside of their bubble. These events drive digital awareness, ticket sales, art purchases, and customer lead generation while bridging gaps between brands, guests, and communities.

Nick began painting in 2014, took a brief hiatus, recommitted to his craft in 2019, and began releasing his art in late 2023. To date, he has created 214 artworks on paper, canvas, and large wood panels, pushing the boundaries of art and placemaking.

In 2024, Nick sold 12 paintings, with two additional works on consignment. His interdisciplinary art work has been featured at Porsche Chicago, Ogilvie Transportation Center Chicago, Bella Fine Art Gallery in Scottsdale, and in private collections. Nick’s innovative approach places him in the lineage of legendary Black male artists from Chicago with architectural and urban planning backgrounds, like Theaster Gates and Virgil Abloh.

For over a decade prior to the release of his artwork, Nick has been showcasing nearly 1,000 cross-industry leaders, millennial executives, and Gen Z influencers in different cities through his company Glappit and brand Glappitnova. That work has been featured on Fox News, The Chicago Tribune, and Crain’s Chicago Business attracting over 50 partnerships and clients like Google, Uber, BMW, Perrier, Nike, startups, cities, and more. These innovators and brands now travel from across the country to experience Nick’s artwork, drawn by his untraditional location-based integrated marketing and digital storytelling.

Prior to Glappit, Nick gained work experience in demand generation, construction management, event production, and Olympic programming for the Chicago 2016 bid. He has been featured in marketing campaigns for Bacardi, Adobe, and an extra in NBC productions, and serves as a guest speaker, mentor, and judge for various organizations from technology to startups.

Nick earned both a Master’s and Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A two-time All-American track athlete, Big Ten Runner-up, and USA Junior National Champion, he was also an Earl Prize design nominee. In 2020, he completed Stanford University’s Code-In-Place computer science program, building algorithms that merge technology and art. Nick is always learning, exploring and seeking understanding, but laser focused on his goals.

Nick is also an active supporter in startups, technology, and creative communities. 

For inquiries, contact nick@ynickbrowny.com or nick@glappit.com.