Conversations with Nicc Til

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicc Til.

Hi Nicc , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story as an artist is really about learning to let myself be seen.

I’ve always considered myself an artist. Creativity has always been a natural part of who I am, and I’ve always created because it’s something that brings me joy and allows me to express myself. What I struggled with wasn’t knowing that I was an artist, it was having the confidence and desire to put my work out into the world. For a long time, I was comfortable creating privately. I didn’t necessarily want the attention that came with people seeing my work, and in many ways, I didn’t want to be seen myself.

That began to change when I created 5KFM (Kids Future in Mind), my Bronx-based community outreach program. 5KFM was created to give children a safe, creative environment where they can express themselves, explore their creativity, and feel seen. I spent so much time encouraging young people to be confident in who they are and not be afraid to express themselves that I eventually started realizing I needed to give myself that same permission.

5KFM became one of the things that pushed me to step outside of my own comfort zone. As I created workshops, events, and creative experiences for children, I became more comfortable putting my own creativity on display. It gave me the confidence to start sharing my artwork and allowing people to experience that side of me.

My art is heavily influenced by the things I genuinely love, especially anime and pop culture. I paint on canvas and wood, and I also bring my artwork onto shoes and clothing. I enjoy incorporating favorite anime characters and recognizable elements from shows I love, whether that’s a character, a symbol, or even a prop like Luffy’s hat from One Piece or a Dragon Ball from Dragon Ball Z. I love taking something familiar and putting my own creative energy into it.

Photography is another part of my creative expression. I enjoy capturing landscapes and moments that catch my eye, while painting allows me to build something more directly from my imagination.

As I’ve continued creating and sharing my work, I’ve had opportunities to showcase my art in different creative spaces and connect with other artists. Those experiences have helped me become more comfortable not only displaying my work, but also embracing the fact that being seen is part of being an artist.

I’m still growing and evolving creatively, but I think that’s one of the most exciting parts of the journey. I’ve gone from creating because I love art to being willing to let people see what I create.

And that connection between art and being seen is something that will always tie my personal art journey back to 5KFM. I created 5KFM (Kids Future in Mind) to help children feel seen, heard, and encouraged to express themselves. In a different way, the program helped me realize that I deserved to give myself that same opportunity.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been building 5KFM without consistent outside funding. I started the program because I believed in the vision and wanted to create meaningful creative opportunities for children in my community, but I was often figuring things out as I went and finding ways to make things happen with the resources I had.

In the beginning, I personally invested a lot into getting the program off the ground. I even made the difficult decision to pawn two of my 14-karat gold bracelets to help cover some of the early expenses needed. I’ve also received smaller donations through my artwork and support from family and friends, which I truly appreciate.

I haven’t received state funding, so there have definitely been moments where I’ve had to be creative not only with my art, but with how I keep the program moving forward. At times, it meant making sacrifices personally so that the children participating in 5KFM could have the supplies, experiences, and opportunities they deserved.

Even with those challenges, I don’t regret starting 5KFM. Every event and every child I’ve been able to reach has reminded me why I started. My long-term goal is to grow 5KFM into a formal nonprofit and eventually secure city and other institutional funding so the program can become more sustainable and reach even more children and families.

For me, the difficult parts have been part of building something from the ground up. I’m proud that I kept going even when I didn’t have all the resources I wanted, because I knew the vision was bigger than the obstacles.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an artist, my work is deeply rooted in self-expression, pop culture, and the visual elements that have shaped my perspective throughout my life. Anime is a primary influence, but my practice thrives on playing with bold shapes, vibrant colors, expressive characters, and recognizable imagery, taking the familiar and transforming it into something distinctly my own. I refuse to be boxed into a single style or medium; for me, artistic growth relies on constant experimentation and staying true to an authentic visual voice.

A major inspiration for my work is Keith Haring. I’ve always admired his deep connection to New York City and his ability to communicate with everyday people through bold, accessible iconography. He brought art out of traditional galleries and integrated it directly into public spaces. That ethos directly informs my philosophy: art should be approachable, interactive, and deeply woven into the environment around us.

That same philosophy drives my work with 5KFM. Founded to provide children with a safe, welcoming environment, 5KFM offers free creative workshops, community events, and hands-on activities that give young people the freedom to explore their own artistic potential. By collaborating with local businesses, fellow artists, educators, and community partners, we build lasting opportunities together.

Ultimately, what sets my work apart is a focus on creating experiences rather than just standalone artwork. Whether I’m producing a new piece, organizing a neighborhood event, or introducing a child to creative expression for the first time, my goal is to make people feel seen and inspired. Being from New York gives this mission personal weight. I know firsthand how transformative it is for young people to see creativity, art, and opportunity flourishing right within their own community, and I am dedicated to contributing to that environment every day.

Any big plans?
Looking ahead, my vision for the future is focused on expanding both my artistic reach and the impact of 5KFM. On a global scale, I am looking forward to sharing my artwork worldwide, connecting with new audiences, and exhibiting in international spaces. Additionally, as an artist, I want to start hosting art therapy seminars to use creative expression as a tool for healing and emotional well-being.

For 5KFM, while maintaining a strong, permanent program base right here in New York City, I am planning to scale the initiative into a statewide program, eventually bringing our creative pop-up experiences to different states.

Another major goal on the horizon is launching a monthly event series that introduces kids to a diverse range of artistic disciplines and practical life skills. By partnering with local artists and experts, I want to host interactive workshops where children can explore everything from visual arts to hands-on, empowering skills, such as sewing, changing a tire, and self-defense.

Ultimately, I want to continue bridging the gap between art and community building, ensuring that people everywhere can experience creativity as a source of connection, growth, and empowerment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://5kfm.org
• Instagram: artistnicctil
• Youtube: artistnicctil

Image Credits
Photographer : Ekene Okereke
IG: Kenokerekephotography