About the Artist

Third Place Arts is the brainchild of Johnny Lee Chapman III, an artist from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Chapman started writing as a "Tumblr poet" during his first year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2014, after graduating with a B.S. in Dental Hygiene, he leaped from page to the stage, beginning his career as a spoken word artist. Since then, he has performed regionally and nationally, and is an active voice within his Carolina community. Over the years, his professional range of activities have grown to include movement and musical performances, workshop facilitation for all ages, event hosting, creative consultation, and artist mentorship. Chapman embraces the title of storyteller, the one in charge of relaying information by inspiring imagination. Offstage, he can be found cleaning the teeth of his community as a Registered Dental Hygienist, traveling with cameras to various places, playing guitar on the porch, or taking a voyage into the wilderness.

"Never let your ink run dry.” - Johnny Lee Chapman III

Image by Jillian Clark

Curriculum Vitae

Ongoing

Performer

Facilitator

Artist


Image by Kennedi Carter

Image by Kennedi Carter

Awards/Accolades/Fellowships

#15th Ranked Individual Poet

Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam 2021

North Carolina Millennial Traditional Artist

North Carolina Arts Council

Third Year Fellow

The Watering Hole Writer’s Retreat, December 2018-19, 2023,

Outstanding Performance for Southern (Dis)Comfort

Best of 2021 Chatham Life and Style Magazine

Inaugural Keynote Speaker

Umojaa Celebration of Black Graduates, UNC at Chapel Hill, May 2018

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Mu Zeta Chapter at UNC at Chapel Hill

B. S. Dental Hygiene

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2014

Recipient of Larry D. Keith Humanitarian Award

Medical Education Development (M.E.D.) Program, May 2013

Runner Up, Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Contest

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. , March 2013

Availability

Johnny Lee Chapman III is accepting bookings for performances, workshop facilitating, and commissions for the 2024/25 calendar year. Submit requests through the booking link below.