WESTFIELD — The Westfield Memorial Library and the Westfield Art Association have announced that the third Artist-in-Residence began her residency at the library on March 12. 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 and exhibitions.
The Westfield Art Association is a nonprofit, volunteer organization founded in 1922 that provides public art education and public exhibitions with work from its member artists.
Sam Mooney, whose residency runs through Monday, June 30, is a Westfield native who attended Westfield High School before earning her Bachelor of Arts in Art History and American Studies at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She has been an artist from a young age, enjoying painting, crafting and whatever other creative projects spark her interest.
For the past few years, she has worked as a graphic designer, creating invitations, stationery and calligraphy for a variety of clients and events. A muralist, Ms. Mooney currently has several works on display in Downtown Westfield — at the Central Avenue Mural Gallery, the Rialto Theatre, and inside barre3 Westfield. In 2021, she was chosen to create a mural inside of the former Lord & Taylor building when the site was temporarily converted into classrooms after Hurricane Ida.
Ms. Mooney sells her abstract paintings on her website and occasionally at local art fairs. In addition to painting, she maintains an Etsy shop, where she sells stickers inspired by her love of nature and music. She presently is the chair of the Westfield Public Arts Commission and a board member of the Westfield Art Association.
In her artist’s statement she wrote, “The way I approach abstract painting is to find what brings me the most joy as I work, but I want the viewer to question what feelings it evokes for them. It’s not always about seeing what is there in front of you. Abstract painting can appear to be very broad, but often it asks a quite simple question: what things do you see, and how does it make you feel?”
Ms. Mooney will be at the library on Saturdays, from 2 to 4 p.m., and on Wednesdays, between 3 and 5 p.m., to demonstrate her painting. The public is invited to watch her and ask questions. Upcoming workshops for children and adults will be posted on the library website in the near future.
Ms. Mooney has taught many workshops in the past and explained her approach: “What I considered a successful class was seeing people having fun while they created and watching them figure out that art wasn’t difficult; it just needs to be broken down into smaller, manageable steps.”
On Friday, March 28, from 6 to 7 p.m., the library will hold a facilitated conversation with Ms. Mooney and Darrin Owens, president of the Westfield Art Association. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
“We were excited to receive proposals from seven artists seeking the residency opportunity in 2025. The Art Association artists are very excited to participate in this program and share their art with the public,” Mr. Owens said. “We hope that this is the foundation for a long-term collaboration where the library can exhibit different kinds of art and people can meet artists with varying styles and passions.”
“I see the library as a microcosm of the community,” said 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,” added Mr. 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.”
To register for the Friday night event, sign up for a library card or learn more about library programs and resources, visit the library’s website at https://wmlnj.org/ or https://events.wmlnj.org/event/ 14374244. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street.
