Barnstable Artist Spotlight: Andrew Newman

BARNSTABLE, MA — Periodically, Barnstable Town Hall will feature the work of local artist.

Town officials named graphic designer Andrew Newman Barnstable's next featured artist and displayed several of his pieces.

"He could easily be known as the 'Cod Father' for his elevation of the ubiquitous and historically maligned codfish to an unimagined artistic level, Melissa Chartrand, the town's Arts and Culture coordinator said in a statement. "His work is fun, whimsical and personal."

Newman began his career in New York City as a graphic designer, working primarily in the publishing industry. His covers have an international recognition for designs he has done for bestselling authors including Danielle Steel, Elmore Leonard, and John Gray. When Andrew moved to Cape Cod, he continued designing book jackets as well as branding, corporate and personal logos and web design.

In December 2007 the cod concept was born as he began his foray into cod designs with his first, "The Christmas Cod." His cods are visible throughout the Cape and have been sold throughout the world as cards, prints, posters, apparel and signage. The Marstons Mills Public Library’s sign is the "Library Cod."

"Artists and designers draw from their life and where they live," Newman said. "They see details, minutiae, shapes, and colors that most people don’t. To be an artist living on Cape Cod is to be inspired every day."

Artwork may be viewed on the Arts Barnstable's website, and a video interview with Andrew Newman, produced by the Town of Barnstable’s Channel 18, may be viewed here. It's also on display in the James H. Crocker, Jr. Hearing Room and the Selectmen’s Conference Room, 2nd floor in Barnstable Town Hall, 367 Main Street, Hyannis.