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Will Johnson

@will00_johnson

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I secured my own trailer. Now it’s time to build something Chicago has never seen before.

Thread Theory Rugs will be more than rugs. It’s a mobile art gallery, a space for culture, private experiences, and an opportunity for other artists to bring their dreams to life.

I’m not just building a business. I’m building a legacy.

I will move with honor, discipline, and the love this city has built in me.

I’m not trying to be the cool kid. I’m focused on becoming the great man God created me to be.

The vision is bigger than me. The mission is bigger than rugs.

Chicago, we’re just getting started. 🖤

#ThreadTheoryRugs #ChicagoMade #BuiltWithPurpose #LegacyOverPopularity

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Having the privilege to meet with Mayor Brandon Johnson @brandon4chicago and personally present him with his custom piece created by me through Thread Theory Rugs was a moment I’ll never forget.

I’m doing everything I can to be a difference-maker and a pioneer of this art form in my city. But bigger than the art, bigger than the recognition, is why I keep going.

My daughter, Jasmine Nicole. @lenn.zen ❤️

She is an incredible artist. She is the future. And I will do whatever I have to do to make sure she has every opportunity to chase her dreams and become everything she was created to be.

I’m also proud to continue building projects that go beyond the art itself, including “Love You, Hope You Love You Too” @loveyouhopeyouloveyoutoo with my co-founder, Ebony Sade @yn.esh . This is bigger than creating—it’s about using our creativity to inspire, uplift, and leave something meaningful behind for our community.

The Mayor was incredibly appreciative of the piece, and I’m grateful that people are finally seeing my work for what it truly is—ART. The time, the late nights, the details, the vision, and the years of sacrifice behind every piece are finally being recognized.

I live Chicago. I bleed Chicago. And I’ll die Chicago.

From growing up on the South Side, to creating this new art form, to bringing pieces of our history, culture, and nostalgia back to life—I’m proud to represent this city every step of the way.

This isn’t just about making rugs.

This is about creating a legacy.

For Chicago.
For my children.
For the next generation of artists.

I am Thread Theory Rugs.

Chicago made. Chicago rooted. World ready.

And trust me… there is so much more to come. 🧵🏙️❤️

#ThreadTheoryRugs #ChicagoArtist #ChicagoMade #BlackArtist #Chicago

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Being honored to create a custom piece for Mayor Brandon Johnson of the city I hold dearest to my heart is something I don’t take lightly.

Chicago is my home, my inspiration, and the standard I measure everything against. I’m doing everything I can to become one of the best artists this city has ever produced, while representing Chicago with the same pride I’ve carried my whole life.

What I’m creating is bigger than anything people ever imagined possible with this art form. I’m pioneering a new lane in Chicago, pushing the boundaries, and taking it to levels I’m not seeing anyone else reach anywhere.

Chicago is the standard. I’m leading the way.

Thank you, Mayor Brandon Johnson, for believing in my vision. I’m excited to show you what Thread Theory Rugs is creating.

ThreadTheoryRugs.com

#ThreadTheoryRugs #ChicagoArtist #ChicagoArt #BrandonJohnson #MayorBrandonJohnson

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I WILL BE A GREAT ARTIST, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES.

I need people to understand something about me. I’m not the cool guy that has it all together. I’m not the rich, fly guy living some perfect life.

The truth is, my house has been in foreclosure. I’m $27K short on my daughter’s college tuition. I’m a disabled combat veteran. I don’t even have a fully functional home right now.

That’s my truth.

But somehow, in the middle of all of that, I became the first textile artist to have my work presented at the Obama Presidential Center.

Life can be crazy like that. You can be struggling to keep your head above water while still walking into rooms you once prayed to see.

I’m fighting not to drown sometimes, but I know what I have. I have my kids. I have my faith. I have God. And I have a God-given talent that I truly believe will take me where I’m supposed to be.

I don’t want anybody looking at my page thinking I have it all figured out. I’m normal. I have real life going on. Real problems. Real responsibilities. But I’m from Chicago… and we were built for this. 💪🏾🏙️

This custom piece for @ChicagoDonC is proof of what I believe is possible.

I WILL be great. I WILL become one of the best artists in my city and beyond.

Shout out to Don C for giving people like me a roadmap and showing us that we can make it, stay true to where we come from, and become Chicago legends.

No matter what it takes.

#ChicagoArtist #ThreadTheoryRugs #ChicagoMade #BlackArtist #ChicagoLegends

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I’m still taking this moment in. My work was shown at the Obama Presidential Center, and honestly… it hit different. Thank you to XL Film Fest for creating this opportunity and allowing me to be part of something this special.

Getting the VIP entrance and seeing parts of the space that most people may never get to see was incredible. But the most powerful part wasn’t even being behind the scenes.

It was watching the people.

Seeing their faces. Feeling their energy. Watching them stop and really take in something that came from my hands, my mind, and my love for Chicago.

I was even asked to be interviewed about my rendition of the 1941 classic photo Sunday’s Best. To have a conversation about the history behind that image and explain how I transformed it into my own art form was a full-circle moment.

I AM CHICAGO. Everything I create carries the spirit, history, culture, and people of this city. And as long as I have a voice and a platform, I will always be a spokesman for my city through my art.

Chicago raised me. Chicago inspires me. Chicago is in every thread. 🖤❤️

Thank you XL Film Fest. The journey continues.

#ThreadTheoryRugs #XLFilmFest #ChicagoArtist #ObamaPresidentialCenter #ChicagoCulture

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Chicago was definitely the City to Be in this weekend. @xlfilmfestival 26’ was nothing less than AMAZING!!! Great information , great inspiration. Positive Vibes Business Minds it’s Entertainment Time. Community was the message an togetherness was accepted💯🙏🏽🫡💪🏾🔥.

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Day one at XL Film Festival @xlfilmfestival was a real Chicago moment. ❤️‍🔥

Big love to @troyopryor for giving me the opportunity to bring Thread Theory Rugs @threadtheoryrugs into the building and showcase what I do.

I got to meet @larenztate and his pops, and have an incredible conversation. Being able to gift Lorenz the Michael Jackson rug was a moment I’ll never forget.

And then to take that legendary Bronzeville 1941 photo Sundays Best and turn it into a hand-tufted rug LIVE in front of my city… that meant everything.

We all come from Chicago. So everything I create carries the spirit of this city with it. This is bigger than rugs for me. It’s culture. It’s history. It’s storytelling. It’s Chicago.

Thread Theory Rugs. Made in Chicago. Made for the culture.

#ThreadTheoryRugs #XLFilmFestival #ChicagoMade #ChicagoArtists #Bronzeville

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This one is personal. 🖤

I’m bringing a legendary Bronzeville image to life through my art — transforming a piece of Chicago history into a one-of-a-kind custom rug.

This is more than tufting. This is storytelling. This is preserving our culture, our style, and the moments that made Chicago what it is.

If you’ve got an image, a memory, a moment, or an idea you want turned into something nobody else has — ORDER YOUR CUSTOM PIECE FROM THE BEST TO EVER DO IT.

THREAD THEORY RUGS.
Chicago born. Chicago built. 🧶🔥

#ThreadTheoryRugs #ChicagoArt #Bronzeville #CustomRugs #ChicagoMade

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Today is one of those days that I’m proud to Put In The Books.
Truly wanna Thank The @tyrantlikefatherlikeson @reko_osofunny @muse_roebuck @topdoglaw & @budbillikenparade from this experience. This was my FIRST time walking in The Bud and Im grateful for the moment. There was so much love show by the City Of Chicago To The Tyrant Family to that I’m still on cloud nine💯🫡💪🏾❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

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Looking for something to watch this coming weekend? Go watch Tyrant Like Father, Like Son The Series! 💪🏼💪🏼 You want to be entertained, this is it! Great cast all from Chicago! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

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The Moment Yall Been Waiting For Is Here !!! Tyrant Like Father Like Son All 6 Episodes On TUBI NOW 😮‍💨🍿‼️ @bodealbsm WE DID IT AGAIN BLOOD!!

CHICAGO WE GOING GLOBAL 🌎 #Tyrants #ActorsLife #Tubi #TheBiggest 😈

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Yesterday I pulled up in my neighborhood with nothing but rug equipment and a vision… and what happened next was bigger than me.

Kids showed up. They created. They laughed. They focused. For a moment, they weren’t thinking about what they’re going through — they were building something of their own with their hands. And it was powerful.

This can’t be a one-time thing.

I’m calling on anyone with a platform, resources, or a heart for the youth — organizations, community leaders, politicians, local workers, promoters… everybody. It takes a village, and I’m ready to build one.

Let’s turn this into a real program. Something that travels. Something that reaches every kid who needs an outlet, a skill, a moment of peace, and a chance to feel proud of what they create.

If you’ve ever supported me, seen my work, or believe in our youth — I’m asking for your help now. Let’s fund this. Let’s grow this. Let’s change lives together.

This is bigger than rugs. This is about giving our kids something to hold onto.

#Community #YouthEmpowerment #Chicago #CreateToHeal #InvestInOurKids

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