ESO TOLSON

ESO TOLSON

I make art, write and gather people around ideas that give us more room to be ourselves…and more ways to be with one another.

I make art, write and gather people around ideas that give us more room to be ourselves…and more ways to be with one another.

see my latest event

Eso Tolson is an artist, writer and cultural designer from East St. Louis who has called Memphis home since 2008. Across art, language, gatherings and cultural strategy, his work creates more room for people to be themselves, connect with one another, and see possibility where they hadn't before.

Eso Tolson is an artist, writer and cultural designer from East St. Louis who has called Memphis home since 2008. Across art, language, gatherings and cultural strategy, his work creates more room for people to be themselves, connect with one another, and see possibility where they hadn't before.

That work might become a hand-lettered piece, an essay, a gathering or a better way for an institution to invite people in. He created projects such as Spectacular Vernacular and Embrace Your Inner Memphis, co-created Artistik Lounge, and co-founded The 5ifth Floor, where he helps shape experiences, stories and strategies that bring institutions closer to people.

That work might become a hand-lettered piece, an essay, a gathering or a better way for an institution to invite people in. He created projects such as Spectacular Vernacular and Embrace Your Inner Memphis, co-created Artistik Lounge, and co-founded The 5ifth Floor, where he helps shape experiences, stories and strategies that bring institutions closer to people.

EVENTs & experiences

EVENTs & experiences

MEMPHIS, TN

MEMPHIS, TN

Past Event — August 29, 2026

SPECTACULAR VERNACULAR: 10TH ANNIVERSARY

SPECTACULAR VERNACULAR: 10TH ANNIVERSARY

SPECTACULAR VERNACULAR: 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Memphis has a way of talking that can only come from here. A little Southern, a little Midwest, and a whole lot of grit.

Memphis has a way of talking that can only come from here. A little Southern, a little Midwest, and a whole lot of grit.

Memphis has a way of talking that can only come from here. A little Southern, a little Midwest, and a whole lot of grit.

Before GloRilla had the world trying to figure out where that extra “R” came from, Eso was drawing the language of Memphis by hand.


He turned the city’s captivating everyday speech into hand-lettered art, giving the language the respect and framing it deserved.


Now it returns as a reminder: Memphis has never needed to change the way it talks to be heard. It just needed the world to listen.

BUY THE PRINTS

CURRENT WORK

CURRENT WORK

CURRENT WORK

DEBUTING IN DECEMBER

2026

Memphis Art Museum Commission

A rooftop installation turning Memphis itself into the museum's welcome.

2026

Memphis Art Museum Commission

A rooftop installation turning Memphis itself into the museum's welcome.

2026

Memphis Art Museum Commission

A rooftop installation turning Memphis itself into the museum's welcome.

ONGOING

Embrace Your Inner Memphis

A Memphis pride campaign that became part of the city’s language.

ONGOING

Embrace Your Inner Memphis

A Memphis pride campaign that became part of the city’s language.

ONGOING

Embrace Your Inner Memphis

A Memphis pride campaign that became part of the city’s language.

ONGOING

The 5ifth Floor

A two-person studio helping institutions make important work matter to people.

ONGOING

The 5ifth Floor

A two-person studio helping institutions make important work matter to people.

ONGOING

The 5ifth Floor

A two-person studio helping institutions make important work matter to people.

SELECTED

Coca-Cola · Sprite · Best Buy

Lettering and design commissioned by national brands, including work shown in Times Square.

SELECTED

Coca-Cola · Sprite · Best Buy

Lettering and design commissioned by national brands, including work shown in Times Square.

SELECTED

Coca-Cola · Sprite · Best Buy

Lettering and design commissioned by national brands, including work shown in Times Square.

ways i work

PUBLIC ART & INSTALLATIONS


Work that changes how people encounter a place, story or idea.

CULTURAL STORYTELLING

Art, language and campaigns that help communities see themselves more fully.

GATHERINGS & EXPERIENCES

Spaces, rituals and events designed around how people connect.

CULTURAL STRATEGY

Helping organizations find more human ways to tell their story and invite people in.