Art Association selects artists for new Artist-in-Residence @ Library

(April 15, 2024) The Westfield Memorial Library and the Westfield Art Association are pleased to announce that two artists have been chosen for the new Artist-in-Residence program at the library. The Westfield Art Association is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1922 that provides public art education and public exhibitions with work from its member artists.

The two artists selected for the inaugural residencies are Jennifer Wilner and Kiyanna Lawrence. Wilner’s residency will be May 1 through July 30, followed by Lawrence’s residency November 1 through January 31.

A BFA graduate in Communications Design at the Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts, Wilner had a 30+ year career as a graphic/web designer.

She was nominated for an ADDY Award by Ad Week for the work she did with the “I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter” campaign for her website design work and illustrations. She was an early adopter of the Internet and was one of the first Internet Art Directors in the NYC advertising world. Some of the other clients she worked with were Coca-Cola, Unilever, MasterCard, Tiffany & Co. and L’Oreal.

Since leaving the corporate world, Wilner has been involved with multiple artistic activities in Westfield. She created a five-year Art Appreciation program for Tamaques Elementary School, with each presentation featuring a well-known artist or art movement with audio/visual aids and step-by-step project instructions and supplies.

Her artwork is displayed in many public spaces, including the Tamaques Park Pavilion, and a painting of hers is currently part of the Westfield Central Avenue Public Art exhibition.

In July of 2020, her butterfly design was included in “Art Takes Flight,” an exhibition of 30 fiberglass butterflies displayed around downtown Westfield. After being displayed for several months, a few were chosen to be auctioned to raise money for future public art projects. Wilner’s butterfly, “Hearts in Flight,” generated the highest bid of all the butterflies at the auction.

She recently had an art show at CASA by Cherry Home in Westfield, and she is also a partner in a 501(c)(3) charity called The Birthday Box, which gives birthday parties in a box to children in need.

Wilner strives “not only to create works of art that make me happy, but to use color and pattern to share with others that same sense of joy I have in my soul when I create,” says a statement on Jennifer’s website. “I want people to feel happiness when they enter a room containing one of my pieces.”

Kiyanna Lawrence is a graduate of Rider University with a degree in Graphic Design and Video Game design. Currently the Founder and Creative Director of Agapes Art, Lawrence specializes in leading mindfulness painting workshops aimed at helping individuals connect with inner creativity and achieve a state of mindfulness. She is also the art and workshop curator for Casa by Cherry Home Designs.

Lawrence has showcased her work in such venues as Cry Out Cave, Indigo Residency, and Casa, as well as in New York and ArtGroove shows. She has completed mural projects in Jersey City and conducted art activities with children at Here We Grow. She has painted windows as part of the Wicked Window Display at the Westfield Addamsfest and at the Bagel Café in New Providence.

“Each piece [of art] is a journey of self-discovery, a testament to the power of art to heal, connect, and illuminate the human experience,” says Lawrence. “In the silence of creation, I find liberation and purpose, inviting others to explore their own mindfulness and inner truths.”

Throughout the upcoming workshops that will be part of Lawrence’s residency, she will emphasize the importance of letting go of expectations and embracing the spontaneous nature of art-making.

She will also integrate her passion for mindfulness into workshops that combine breathing exercises with painting techniques. Participants will learn how to synchronize their breath with their brushstrokes.

The Artist-in-Residence program brings Westfield’s talented local artists to the library for the entire community to enjoy through talks, hands-on workshops, studio hours, exhibitions, and more.

The goal of the Artist-in-Residence program is to connect the community with local working artists and to provide creative and educational opportunities to the community in a way that supports cultural and artistic exchange.

“I truly believe that seeing art and recognizing work of an artist makes peoples' lives better,” says Darrin Owens, President of the Westfield Art Association. “This is an excellent opportunity to expose the public to local artists and local art. I hope that many people take advantage of this free program that the library is so graciously sponsoring."

“I see the library as a microcosm of the community” says Allen McGinley, Library Director. “So I’m delighted that we’re able to bring our talented local artists into the library to share their passion and creativity with residents of all ages.”

“The artist-in-residence will display their work at the library during their residency for anyone to see at any time,” adds Owens. “And if someone is interested in purchasing a piece, or commissioning the artist to produce something, they will feel more comfortable by getting to meet the artist up close and personal… I am so excited to see how this program develops.”

Visit the library’s website at https://wmlnj.org/ to register, sign up for a library card, or learn more about the library’s resources. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.

Library hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.

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