By: Isaiah S. Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
MILLVILLE, N.J. — The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts hosted local artists in South Jersey including Ty Lewis who has several of his original paintings just waiting for South Jersey to feast their eyes on for the first time as this is Lewis’ first gallery exhibit.
“I’m a self-taught artist, and this is three years in the making,” Lewis said. “To be offered an opportunity to be in a gallery like this in such an early stage of my artistry is a huge blessing and it’s being received very well, I’m excited.”
Lewis received his AA degree in studio art from Atlantic Cape Community College, and it was also there where he was encouraged by his professor to bring his paintings to the forefront.
“For me when I create art it’s attached to me; it’s my heart and my feelings with my soul and it’s hard to let them go but it’s greater than me the art and stories I tell through the art it’s for someone else,” said Lewis.
The piece titled Son Rest illustrates God telling his son to rest; resting can mean slow down, but can also mean to come before your heavenly Father completely naked and vulnerable in order to gather your thoughts and regroup yourself. The piece, along with the others by Lewis, derived from his own experiences or from one of his mentees, for Lewis is also a social worker and mentor for the youth in South Jersey.
“God gives me the vision for it first, and then I create, then I go into praying,” Lewis said. “I just stay focused on the vision and try to bring that story across because I want someone else to see themselves in the art and feel heard, seen, and represented.”
Lewis’ artwork will be featured at The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts along with other fellow artists until the end of March. The center is located at 22 N. High St. in Millville.
“I want to advocate in my art so when people see a piece, I want them to say we have to talk about this and engage with this and cause conversation,” Lewis added.
For more information about Ty Lewis and to see more of his work, visit his website at https://www.artbytylewis.com/.
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