Second Artist of 2026 begins Residency at Westfield Memorial Library

The Westfield Memorial Library and the Westfield Art Association are pleased to announce that the sixth Artist-in-Residence has just begun her residency at the library. 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 sessions and exhibitions.

Shen Rosen is a 21-year-old artist from Westfield, now based in Plainfield, who through her work, uses painting as a means of processing and expressing deeply felt emotions. Her paintings emerge from a visceral, pre-verbal space, transforming lived experience into raw visual form. Her artwork will be up in the hallway opposite the Meeting Room and around the library from now until the end of July.

The library will hold a facilitated conversation with Ms. Rosen and Darrin Owens, President of the Westfield Art Association, on Tuesday, June 16 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Register Can't attend in person? Watch the livestream.

Mr. Owens said, “The Westfield Art Association Board of Directors was excited to receive nine applications from member artists seeking a residency at the library this year. That is the most applications we have received since the program started three years ago. The selection committee had a difficult choice as any of the applicants would make a great resident artist.

“We are so happy that the library decided to allow four artists in residence this year rather than two. Each artist will still teach two workshops open to the public and will create their art at the library, but each residency will last only two months. The four artists in this year's residency create different styles of art but they all share a passion for creating and sharing their passion with the public.”

During Ms. Rosen’s residency, she will offer two workshops: an adult painting class on Monday, June 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and a class for children (grades 4-6) Saturday, July 11 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Both classes are limited to 12 so interested parties must register online.

In the workshop for adults, participants will choose any colors of different values that they like to recreate an image of their choice (example images will be provided). Ms. Rosen will teach the importance of values in painting, while also allowing participants to feel free of the pressure to create something too "realistic."

The workshop for children will help attendees get in touch with their creative side and get beyond creative blocks. She will encourage the children to begin painting in whatever way feels right, and then use the colors/brushstrokes as a sort of "coloring book" or a guideline to make shapes, figures, etc. According to Ms. Rosen, this exercise pushes people to see things and create art, even if it’s just through splotches of paint.

The artist will hold studio hours at a table in front of the library on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The public is invited to watch her painting process.

Associate Director Liz Kennedy said, "We welcome Shen Rosen as the second artist of the 2026 Artist in Residence cohort. Our partnership with the Westfield Art Association allows us to host talented local artists who not only want to showcase their artwork but also connect with the community through workshops and in- library studio sessions.

“We aim to increase access to artistic technique and expression by inviting patrons to experience Shen's creative process. We encourage everyone to stop by and visit her during our studio sessions.”

The Westfield Memorial Library is a public library dedicated to providing free and equitable access to information, resources, and cultural experiences for residents of Westfield and the surrounding community. Through innovative programming and responsive services, the library advances literacy, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.

The Westfield Art Association is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1922 that provides public art education and public exhibitions with work from its member artists.

Visit the library’s website at https://wmlnj.org/, sign up for a library card or learn more about library programs and resources. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street and hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m. the library will be closed Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth and Sunday, June 21 for Father’s Day.