SELF-TAUGHT visual artist Leighton Johnson’s dream of pursuing studies overseas has become a reality. Hailing from the community of Longville Park, Clarendon, the Calabar High graduate has started his four-year journey at Nebraska’s Chadron State College in the United States (US), where he will pursue a degree in art with a minor in business.

Johnson, who faced severe financial challenges on his journey to pursue higher education, used social media and traditional media to share his story, his art, and made an appeal for support to fund his education. That move has paid off.

He received a partial scholarship to play basketball at the US-based college.

“After graduating from high school in 2025, I took a gap year. During that period I was searching for the right college opportunity while also trying to build myself as an artist and as a person,” said Johnson, who did track and field while attending Calabar High.

Leighton Johnson (left) shows some of his work to Pree Dis show presenter Naldo Addi.

“From the time I graduated I played pick-up basketball regularly in my community, which helped me stay active and maintain a level of fitness. Those final two weeks of training were very intense because I knew I had a limited amount of time to prepare myself physically for the opportunity ahead. There were also sacrifices outside of training. I had to be patient, kept believing in myself, continued developing my artwork, searched for opportunities, and trusted that everything I was working toward would eventually come together. The journey wasn’t always clear, but I kept moving forward,” he reflected.

Johnson was overwhelmed when he received the news about the scholarship.

“It was an emotional experience because I had envisioned this moment for a long time, and now I’m actually living the prediction I once had for myself. I’m the first of my four siblings to finish high school, the first to attend college, and the first to travel outside Jamaica, so my family has been behind me 100 per cent. I know that they definitely miss me, but at the same time, they’re grateful and proud that I was able to accomplish this,” he shared.

He continued: “I received support through academic, art, track and field, and basketball scholarships. My artwork and social media presence also played a major role. Through the reach I’ve built with my artwork I’ve been able to connect with people, sell my work, and generate financial support toward my education and travel. My high school sponsor also played an important role because of the relationship we built throughout my years at Calabar High School. All of these opportunities and relationships came together to make it possible for me to pursue my education in the United States.”

Leighton Johnson stands outside his dorm at Chandron State College.

He is grateful to the media outlets who provided a platform for him to showcase his art and his desire to study overseas.

“Through that exposure I was able to find good customers but I also gained something beyond financial support: mentorship and knowledge about the business side of art. I’m a self-taught artist, so I was very open to learning not only how to improve my artwork but also how to understand the art business. That experience was a blessing because it helped me realise that my artwork could become more than just something I enjoyed doing — it could also create opportunities and help me build my future. I believe God gave me this opportunity, and for me, this journey has been about faith and patience,” Johnson disclosed.

He reflected on his journey as a rebirth.

“I think of it like planting a seed; I had to keep watering that seed even when I couldn’t see the tree yet. Eventually, the tree grew and began to bear fruit. That’s what this journey has felt like for me, and after everything I’ve experienced I genuinely believe God placed me in the right spot. I love it here, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to begin this new chapter,” said Johnson.

Asked how his interest in art developed, he said this came through his constant belief in his own abilities. “Because I’m self-taught I had to teach myself by observing, practising, experimenting, and paying close attention to details. I’ve always been very observant; and I’ve developed an eye for things like detail, colour correction, contrast, and composition. The more I practised, the more I understood what I was capable of. I think one of the biggest things that helped me was simply refusing to stop believing that I could improve.”

He said the biggest lesson learnt along his journey was trusting in God.

“A Bible verse that has stayed with me throughout this journey is Psalms 126:5 (KJV): ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.’ There were times when I was working and sacrificing without knowing exactly when I would see the results, but I learned that you have to keep planting, keep working, and keep believing even when you can’t immediately see the outcome. My journey has taught me to be patient, trust God, and continue doing the work.”