In this episode, I had the exciting opportunity to interview a wonderful community artist. Antonia “Toni” Ruppert is an Illinois artist who has been creating for over 25 years. She creates paintings that tell a story. Ruppert fell in love with art as a child upon seeing her Dad draw after coming home from work at Brachs Candy Company. The oldest of six siblings, she recalls drawing horses and people on tons of pink paper that was gifted to her by the dentist office. Now creating on canvas, panels and paper using all kinds of paint, she is inspired by stories of faith, hope and love. Ruppert was the 2021 Invest South/West Artist in Residence for Chicago’s Austin community and the 2022 Artist in Residence for the Addison Public Library. Ruppert is an honoree of the Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award for Cook County. Ruppert has been featured in the Museum of Science and Industry Black Creativity Exhibition, Moraine Valley Community College Regional Showcase and the Dupage Art League’s Best of the Best Exhibition. Her favorite paintings and murals can be found in numerous regional venues including the Berwyn North District 98 elementary schools. Other commissions include: University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago Public Library, Acorn Public Library, Addison Public Library, Austin Childcare Network, Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Forest Park Park District, Elmwood Park Public Library, Grand Prairie Services, Living Springs Community Church, Markham Public Library, Near North Montessori School, Oak Forest Park District and the Oak Park Area Arts Council. In 2021, she collaborated with the Office of the Mayor of the City of Berwyn and the Award Winning Junior State of America Morton West Debate Club Chapter to commission and speak at the first Juneteenth Commemoration held in the city. Ruppert is thankful to God for her gifts and is currently illustrating a children's book —“The Place Where I Belong” by Candice Klopfenstein due out later in 2023. Ruppert is on the board of Sarah’s Inn, a domestic violence awareness and prevention agency and is well known at the frontlines of the activist community and as a notable artist.  Ruppert seeks to uplift her entire community with creative expression.   You can connect with Toni at [email protected]