UP HERE MURALIST SPOTLIGHT: JOHANNA WESTBY

Up Here is more than just a music festival – it’s also an urban arts festival on a mission to slowly but surely make Sudbury the most photogenic city in the North! Last year’s festival was a smash hit with murals from all around coming to collaborate and decorate our walls over the weeks leading up to the festival. This year is no exception with 8 muralist currently hard at work beautifying our skyline. To celebrate the second year of the fest we got in touch with local artist, Johanna Westby the muralist behind the stellar cement mixer mural that acted as a centre piece to the first edition of the festival!
Tell us about the inspiration behind your mural?

When I was tasked with designing this mural, I wanted to ensure it matched the expression of the festival. I wanted to create something whimsical and fantastic, with bold colours and friendly imagery. The fact that I was designing something for not only a three dimensional surface, but one that would use movement, I designed something that would be exciting from all angles and would be interesting with rotation. The industrial aspect of the concrete mixer was also considered – I wanted to offset the idea of the “mechanic” form and structure, by creating something more organic and playful.

 

What was a highlight for you from last year’s Up Fest?

Certainly working on the concrete mixer was an exciting challenge, and the biggest highlight of the festival for me. I was able to work with an amazing crew – Tracy Baker, Joelle Beaulieu, and Josh Turnbull – who worked tirelessly to make the mural happen. Without them, the mural would never have happened the way it did. There were a lot of great moments and some panic times (a salvage mission after some unexpected rain was a challenge) which all contribute to an incredible memory and experience working on something for the community.

 

What are you looking forward to at Up Here this year?

The organizers of Up Here are amazing at creating magic – the thing I’m looking forward to is the unexpected. I am very fortunate that I will be involved in two of the large scale murals being completed this year, and I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the community once again.

 

What is your favourite part of being involved in Sudbury’s arts community? What would be your advice to new artists in the area on how to get involved in our thriving arts scene?

Sudbury has become an exciting location for art and design, and that really has to do with the community support, and the people willing to roll up their sleeves and make something happen here. There is so much opportunity here for artists and designers, and a huge amount of potential for future projects. My advice to anyone wanting to get involved would be to volunteer at festivals like Up Here, visit local galleries, support local artists and designers, or join groups such as the Sudbury Arts Council or Myths & Mirrors. If looking to become more skilled in their craft or work toward a career in the arts, I recommend looking at Cambrian College’s School of Art and Design programs.

 

Where can we see more of your work?

You can check out more my work at: johannawestby.com

If you would like to see my illustrative work in person, I will be showcasing work with the Inspired Hands Arts and Crafts show – October 28, 29, 30 at the Holiday Inn on Regent.