Today we’d like to introduce you to Jovan Hansman
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Together, Bob and Jovan have accomplished things neither of them could have done without the other. For the City Faces program, Bob was included in Coming Up Taller, a publication of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in 1996, and he received a Missouri Arts Award in 1997. For his teaching at Washington University, Bob received an Emerson Electric Excellence in Teaching Award in 2000 and a Washington University Founders Day Distinguished Faculty Award in 2001. He also received a Washington University Bob and Gerry Virgil Ethic of Service Award in 2005, and Bob and Jovan together received a FOCUS St. Louis “What’s Right With The Region!” Award in 2008. In 2007 Bob and Jovan were featured on Steve Hartman’s Assignment America, on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. In 2010, Bob delivered the Martin Luther King, Jr., address at Graham Chapel and received the Rosa L. Parks Memorial Award for Meritorious Service to the Community. In 2014 Bob and Jovan were featured in the Christian Science Monitor. In December of 2015 Bob was awarded one of the inaugural Dred Scott Freedom Awards by Lynne Jackson, Dred and Harriet Scott’s great-great-granddaughter. Bob was also appointed an inaugural Faculty Fellow for the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement. His community tours are the subject of the documentary Bob’s Tour, by Jun Bae, which screened at the 2016 St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase and the St. Louis International Film Festival. In 2017 he was interviewed for a segment of NPR’s To the Best of Our Knowledge. In 2017 he published a book, Pruitt-Igoe, with Arcadia / History Press. Bob and Jovan also illustrated Traveling the Blue Road: Poems of the Sea, an anthology of children’s poetry about immigration, compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins, which was selected as a 2018 Notable Poetry Book for Children by the National Council of Teachers of English, the Children’s Book Council, and the National Council for Social Studies.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Jovan Hansman grew up in the Clinton-Peabody public housing, but his aspirations always went beyond that. In 1994 Jovan was one of the first students to sign up for Bob’s art program, becoming a quiet but steady presence and role model. After Bob moved his own studio into the projects in 1996, Jovan increasingly took on a leadership role, eventually becoming the bridge between the residents of Clinton-Peabody and the Washington University community. Jovan would soon ask to move in with Bob, and a few years later he broached the subject of adoption. On May 15, 2002, the adoption became official.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I still do artwork pastel portraits color or black and white I’m available if anyone would like prints of my work or I can also do anything you like on a commission basis we also have a documentary out now on Amazon Prime and also children’s books illustrated by Bob And Jovan Hansman you can only get from us we ship world wide and accept all forms of payment I’m so proud to announce 30 years and and City Faces is still going we are a non for profit organization we operate off donations from our donors so please if you can donate to City Faces we appreciate your kindness and we are looking for volunteers!!
What’s next?
Yes City Faces will be open again and we are looking for volunteers for our after school program!! And we now have a city faces record label for the kids to learn the music business to become entrepreneurs
Pricing:
- Books 25-40$
- Artwork Jovans Prints 500$ -$1500 prices may vary
- Artwork Jovan Originals $1500 prices may vary
- Movie / Documentary $25-30$
- Merchandise 50$ and up
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jovan7828?igsh=MWdocXJjYzdudjBmbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BL3dwBVFT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cityfaces?si=0FNImwTlgQaGAgOL
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/0yNInx4cVIdkjur3p9pvA8?si=ngWX7qbORVK1GvXbG6Ippg
Image Credits
My brother Lil Wyte and DJ Paul of 3-6 Mafia Artwork Done by Jovan Hansman of City Faces and Wyte Music Midwest
Jovan Hansman of City Faces Teaching Art to the Kids of Adam’s Elementary School
Jovan Hansman pictured with his favorite Aunte Philly and Uncle John.
Jovan Hansman Jr with his autographed copy of The award winning children’s book Traveling the Blue Road illustrated by Bob and Jovan Hansman all art work in photo done By Artist Jovan Hansman of City Faces
Jovan Hansman and his son Jovan Hansman Jr in (red jacket by Joseph Johnson of Rise to Greatness/Flytrends
Jovan Hansman’s Bday Party Sinners Tour with Da Mafia 6ix Crunchy Blac Gangsta Boo (Rip) Lord Infamous (Rip) DJ Paul and Koopsta Knicca (Rip) Artwork Done by Jovan Hansman of City Faces
Jovan is pictured here with his favorite nurse Mrs Hansman
Jovan Hansman and the City faces kids photo shoot for CBS worldwide news interview!
Jovan Hansman at his Art Studio Faces in the Loop a City Faces Project in the Delmar Loop
Jovan Hansman Hood Star Award and Interview by J Bailey Whirl Newspaper
Jovan Hansman of City Faces gifts DJ Paul of 3-6 Mafia a pastel portrait artwork done by Jovan Hansman of City Faces
Jovan Hansman pictured with Matt (rip) Dat Esa Flacko of Wyte Music Midwest Bday bash and concert all artwork done by Jovan Hansman of City Faces
Bob Hansman Jovan and Aunte Philly The Hansman Family
Jovan Hansman with his big brother and favorite artist Toraino Patterson of City Faces (rip)
