Black History Month Spotlight: Artwurks Unlimited

Located at 423 Main Street in downtown Hartford, Artwurks Unlimited is a graphic design firm and silk screen print shop that specializes in branding and identity, web design and development, and high-quality printing.Artwurks Unlimited Owner and Senior Designer Judah Makonnen spoke with MetroHartford Alliance Content Manager Nan Price about how and why his business is a part of Hartford.NAN PRICE: Tell us about your involvement in the Hartford community –and the impact you’re making here.JUDAH MAKONNEN: Artwurks Unlimited launched in 2003 and has been a part of Hartford since 2010. We’re honored to have provided design and print services for many Hartford businesses and organizations. Our staff has graffiti and fine art backgrounds, which have been valuable assets to help create innovative solutions for our clients.We also helped establish many local startups and helped many more on the path to entrepreneurship. We support local artists, musicians, and photographers and we work with a diverse variety of local talent on a regular basis.NAN: Why Hartford?JUDAH: Hartford is a place of great possibilities. There’s an abundance of raw talent, creative expression, and a willingness by city leaders to acknowledge and promote the gifts of our residents. For Artwurks Unlimited, Hartford continues to be a place where our skill set is in demand and our services are sought after.NAN: How do we tell Hartford’s story?JUDAH: It’s a story about a sleeping giant—a giant waking up to the realization of the greatness that was slumbering within. Not a giant in terms of size, but in terms of potential. Hartford has great determination to make changes for the better in its evolution. Tangible improvements can be seen with our new stadium and sports teams, employment and education opportunities, and new businesses that pop up all the time. If we look back 20 to 30 years, compared with where we are today, it’s a great story.NAN: Where do you see the future of Hartford?JUDAH: Hartford has a great future. Under the right leadership, this city will continue to thrive and elevate our youth in ways that will consistently make all Hartford residents proud. To make a life great requires individual effort, but to make a city great takes teamwork. I think our “team” spirit will give way to possibilities we can’t imagine from our current vantage point. At Artwurks Unlimited, we are happy to play our part.Learn more about Artwurks Unlimitedartwurksunlimited.com | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube