Joey Withinarts, the creative name of American visual artist Joseph Mack, has built a distinctive artistic journey around portraiture, storytelling, community service and preserving important stories through art.
Born in Virginia and later making South Carolina home, Joey Withinarts developed his artistic voice through drawing, painting, storytelling and community involvement. His work has grown from personal creativity into a broader mission of honouring people, preserving history and creating meaningful connections through visual art.
His artistic journey has been documented by SHEEN Magazine, which identifies Joseph Mack as Joey Withinarts and traces his beginnings in Richmond, Virginia, his move to South Carolina and his early development as an artist.
Art That Comes From Within
The name Joey Withinarts reflects the philosophy behind his creative identity: the belief that artistic expression comes from within.
In an interview with Voyage ATL, Withinarts explained that he tries to understand the story behind a subject before beginning a painting. His approach combines art with personal connection, history and storytelling.
His work has therefore developed beyond conventional portraiture. A painting can become a tribute, a historical record, a source of encouragement or a way of keeping someone’s story visible.
Celebrating African American History
Withinarts has created portraits of influential figures from African American history, entertainment, sport and civil rights.
The Greenville Journal documented his community canvas project honouring the late Congressman and civil-rights icon John Lewis. Members of the public were invited to participate in the painting, turning the artwork into a collective community experience.
His work has also included portraits of figures such as Prince, Bill Withers, Isaac Hayes, Chadwick Boseman and Muhammad Ali.
Withinarts’ work fits naturally into the broader conversation around culture, entertainment and creative expression, while his connection to Ghana introduces an additional international dimension to his artistic story.
Honouring Chadwick Boseman’s Legacy
One of the most recognised chapters of Withinarts’ career involved his artistic tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman in Anderson, South Carolina.
Associated Press reporting documented the outdoor art exhibition in Boseman’s hometown, where nearly 20 artworks honoured the actor’s legacy. Withinarts was among the artists whose work formed part of the tribute.
FOX Carolina also later featured Boseman’s legacy and identified Withinarts as the artist behind a painting created in honour of the actor.
Read the FOX Carolina report on Chadwick Boseman’s legacy.
Art as Community Service
Giving back has remained an important part of Withinarts’ artistic mission.
SHEEN Magazine documented his donations of paintings to children’s hospitals, nursing homes, the Malcolm X Center and the NAACP. His work demonstrates how visual art can be used not only for exhibition but also for encouragement and community connection.
That philosophy is particularly visible in his work surrounding missing people.
In 2022, FOX Carolina reported on Withinarts’ portraits of missing people from Oconee County. He created the portraits to help families preserve memories while keeping public attention on unresolved cases.
The project reflected his belief that people should not simply disappear from public memory when their cases remain unresolved.
Art That Keeps Stories Alive
Withinarts’ philosophy is also reflected in his work honouring other influential figures.
In 2022, WSFA reported that Withinarts created a mixed-media artwork honouring Stephen “tWitch” Boss and planned to donate the work to Southern Union State Community College, where Boss had studied.
The gesture illustrated another recurring theme in his work: using art to create something tangible that allows people to remember a person’s influence and legacy.
Juneteenth and Contemporary Cultural Storytelling
Withinarts continues to use his creativity to engage with African American history and contemporary cultural conversations.
In June 2026, FOX Carolina featured Withinarts in a report on Juneteenth artwork making an impact.
The continued focus on Juneteenth, historical figures and community storytelling demonstrates how his artwork remains closely connected to cultural memory and education.
Honouring Civil Rights History
Withinarts’ work has also intersected with the stories of civil-rights pioneers.
WCNC’s feature on Dorothy Counts Scoggins provides further context around South Carolina’s civil-rights history and the importance of preserving the stories of people who helped shape American history.
For Withinarts, this wider historical environment provides fertile ground for an artistic practice built around faces, memories and stories.
A Growing Connection With Ghana
Ghana represents an important new chapter in Joey Withinarts’ international artistic journey.
His artwork depicting Ghana’s President creates a visual connection between his American creative experience and Ghanaian culture, history and leadership.
That connection is particularly meaningful within the wider Ghanaian diaspora, where art can provide a bridge between African heritage, African American experiences and contemporary global storytelling.
GhanaMedia.net has previously examined the role of the diaspora in preserving culture and strengthening international connections. Its coverage of the 33rd CEANA Convention and the wider Ghanaian diaspora illustrates the growing importance of cross-border cultural engagement.
More Than a Portrait Artist
Joey Withinarts’ career demonstrates how visual art can operate on several levels at once.
It can preserve history. It can honour influential people. It can comfort families. It can educate younger generations. And it can create conversations between communities separated by geography.
Watch a glimpse of Joey Withinarts doing what he loves best.
From his beginnings in Virginia and South Carolina to his growing international connection with Ghana, Withinarts continues to develop an artistic identity built around people and their stories.
His work ultimately reflects a simple philosophy:
Art comes from within.
Joey Withinarts
American Visual Artist | Author | Storyteller
“Art Comes From Within.”
