Diary Entry #6 Moving Day by LeRoi Johnson

In my last post I shared photographs and wrote about the process of putting together the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition, which will open at the Burchfield Penney Art Center on November 11 and run through March 26, 2023.

That process has included providing access to my artwork to the student artists participating in the exhibition, for their interpretation.

It has also involved working with Burchfield Penney Acting Director, Scott Propeack, and Curatorial and Digital Content Associate, Tiffany Gaines, in selecting 70 of my paintings for the exhibition, from a collection of over 1500 pieces of my art.

As an artist, I agree with the adage that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So today I am sharing more photos from the first stage of transporting those 70 paintings from my home to the Burchfield Penney Art Center, where they will be prepared for display.

As you will see, the artwork ranges in size and scope, some framed and some rolled canvas waiting to be stretched and framed. They represent a forty-year span of my artist’s inspiration and vision in telling the stories of life in the world around me…all of it “Living in Color.”

LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.

Diary Entry #5 Putting It Together by LeRoi Johnson

My major goal with LEROI: Living in Color, opening Friday November 11th at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, is the participation of students in mixed media interpretations of select pieces of my art.

As I’ve noted before, the students are from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center.

In order to accomplish that goal, in January of this year Burchfield administrators began working with staff from the four student groups in choosing images of my works from my website.

Those selections were then shared with the students so that they could begin to form their interpretive ideas of my art, and create their own exhibition pieces.

At the same time, Burchfield Penney Acting Director, Scott Propeack, and Curatorial and Digital Content Associate, Tiffany Gaines, made two trips to my house to review, sort, and ultimately select a collection of 300 of my over 1500 pieces of art to be considered for the exhibition.

The process demanded attention to detail and extreme care when searching through the artwork layered throughout every room in my home. Thankfully Scott and Tiffany were masters of the task.

After many hours of viewing and a little back-and-forth over a couple of works, the three of us hammered out a short list of 70 of my paintings, spanning over four decades of my work.

Those paintings will form the core of LEROI Living in Color, in-and-around the students’ work. Selections of my drawings and sketches are still to be decided.

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Last Friday Tiffany, Burchfield Preparator, Tom Holt, and Burchfield Registrar, Rosario Pitta, came to my home with that short list of 70.

Their purpose was to begin transporting specific paintings to the art center to prepare them for exhibition. Over the next couple of months, the trio will return to finish transporting the pieces still remaining.

I have no doubt that with each trip my excitement level will rise--- in anticipation of achieving my major goal of student participation in this art exhibition, as well as the display of almost a half-century of my life’s work as an artist.

LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.

Diary Entry #4 A Very Special Video by LeRoi Johnson

When you plan a Friday FB Live to talk about LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition, Opening November 11th at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, but then receive a Testimonial Video for the exhibit from a world renown artist/art consultant.....

Thank you Michael Lam for your support of my work and my upcoming exhibition.

LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.

Diary Entry #3 Jay Hawkins, Sr. by LeRoi Johnson

One of the creative forces in my upcoming LEROI: In Living Color Exhibition at the Burchfield Penney Art Center is Jay Hawkins Sr., lead instructor for the BPS Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Initiatives (CLRI) of the Buffalo Public Schools (BPS.)

In addition to his exhibition responsibilities, Jay serves as a youth director for the WNY-Urban Arts Collective and is the head of his own artistic brand, Revolutionary Strokes LLC. Outside of those duties, he channels his creative energies into barbering, clothing design, and working as an emcee, rapper, and event coordinator in Buffalo’s hip-hop scene.

Jay's role relative to my exhibition is to mentor BPS students in their pre-exhibition planning and creative artwork, and to coordinate their efforts with myself and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. He is teacher, motivator, critic, and friend to the 20 students under his guidance, inspiring them through a combination of humor, kindness, and straight talk.

LEROI: Living in Color is revolutionary in the way WNY businesses, organizations, and individuals are collaborating to guide the youth of our community to the ultimate experience of a museum exhibition of their art. I am pleased to introduce you to Jay Hawkins, Sr. as an integral part of this process.

LEROI: Living in Color will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, presented by M&T Bank with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the community.

LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.

Diary Entry # 2 The Design of LEROI: Living in Color by LeRoi Johnson

The LEROI: Living in Color November Exhibition, which will run Nov. 11, 2022-March 26, 2023 at the Burchfield Penney Art Center may have my name on it, but it is not solely about my art. That is by design…my design.

My artwork has been exhibited and my artistry celebrated around the world. I won’t deny that the accolades have been thrilling, but they’re not enough. I want to leave a legacy in the art world that spans beyond my work. And that begins with the LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition that will include the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center.

The collaboration on this exhibition started early in 2022 as I began working with the students from each organization with a multi-purposed approach.

First: to give the students the opportunity to engage in a museum exhibition.

Second: to provide them with inspiration and motivation in considering art as a possible career choice.

Third: to help them envision approaches and create interpretations of my art, which will then be on display in the exhibition.

Through July and August, I am working with BPS students, led by BPS Associate Superintendent, Fatima Morrell, and program coordinator, Jay Hawkins Sr..

While I don’t want to reveal what these budding artists have imagined and are designing as their interpretive artwork, I do want to share the experience of mentoring these talented young men and women …and all I am learning from them as well.

I’ll begin with these few photos from our latest classroom experience where they showed me their sketchbooks. I have to say that I was genuinely humbled by the gifts of this impressive group of teenaged artists.

I look forward to sharing more photographs from my collaborations with this and the other student groups leading up to the November 11th LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition Opening.

LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.







Diary of an Artist by LeRoi Johnson

My name is LeRoi Johnson. I am an artist. I am also an attorney. I have traveled a varied and unique path in my life, enjoying success in both of my careers.

This success has inspired me to put together a collaborative art exhibition with a community-based twist. LEROI Living in Color  will open Friday November 11th at the Birchfield Penney Art Center.

Over the next four months, I will share my thoughts and experiences leading up to the opening in this online diary. I invite you to join me.
LeRoi