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Date: 1/19/2023
WESTFIELD — James Johnson-Corwin isn’t just a board member at Westfield on Weekends, the nonprofit organization that brings art and culture events downtown. He’s also an exhibitor, and the artist behind the “My Favorite Things” show at WOW’s Creative Arts Center this month.
“This show kicks off WOW’s 20th anniversary year and offers a depth of art to the Westfield community,” stated WOW President Bob Plasse. “We felt that James could kick off the year because of his extensive amount of art available for display.”
Attendees at the show, in the Rinnova Building at 105 Elm St., Westfield, will see a variety of subjects from ordinary objects to landscapes, seascapes, fantasies and illustrations; seeing something that everybody knows and seeing something more out of it.
“I hope people enjoy this exhibit,” said Johnson-Corwin. “To be a part of this is an honor and I do feel very lucky to have been through this whole procession. To be here in this moment is intense.”
He went on to say, “A big part of what I have done in this collection ties to a lot of things that either I randomly thought about or drew about. I just always had a connection of building art onto something. My painting of art is more about capturing the essence of imagination.”
Johnson-Corwin works in illustration, pastel, ink, pencil and a variety of acrylic painting techniques. His father Albert Corwin was a photographer and his mother Frances was a portrait artist. The youngest of three children, Johnson-Corwin would go to art festivals and watch his mother do portraits of people.
“My mother always told me that I have something called an artistic license,” Johnson-Corwin said. “When I was young, I thought that meant picking up a car, but it means to be able to drive creativity. She also instilled in me that resonates to this day is that everyone has an artistic license.”
Johnson-Corwin worked as an artist and illustrator for Boston’s Lollipop Magazine, Valley Advocate, Union News, Computer News and currently publishing daily to Instagram and Facebook. He works as a news designer for Reminder Publishing, part of a 28-year association with The Pennysaver and The Westfield News.
He has also served on the board of directors at WOW for seven years. The nonprofit organization hosts a variety of events, including civic celebrations, performances and exhibits. The location of Johnson-Corwin’s exhibit, the Creative Arts Center, also plays host to art classes, musical concerts and recitals, travel programs and community-building meetings.
Creative Arts Center Director Kathi Bradford said, “We have worked with James and know of the abundance of work that he has done over the past 12 years. We came up with the idea for a show because of numerous things. It is our 20th anniversary year. We are looking to showcase our board and their commitments to the arts and community programming. The show is both a display as well as a fundraiser.”
Plasse added, “We’re hoping folks consider some amazing pieces for their home at the same time as supporting our organization. Every purchase that people make, a percentage of that purchase will go towards WOW’s activities and the center.”
“My Favorite Things” can be seen at the Creative Arts Center through Feb. 10. The gallery is open 5:30-8 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. There will be a free “Artist at Work” reception noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 4, during which Johnson-Corwin will be at his easel painting and ready to answer questions about his artistic process and the exhibit.
“I think the key to certain things is definitely trying to pursue something,” Johnson-Corwin said. “If you love something, you should be doing it. Follow your passion.”
Johnson-Corwin’s work is also on facebook.com/james.johnsoncorwin and Instagram @james_johnson_corwin. Those interested in becoming a board member or supporting WOW can contact the organization at wow.creativeartscenter@gmail.com.