WESTFIELD — ArtWorks Westfield, in collaboration with Westfield Pride, will host its second annual Art with Pride show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 3, on the Park Square Green in downtown Westfield, as part of a month-long celebration of Pride Month.
“It’s an art show for members of the pride community, but also allies of the pride community to share their creativity and artwork on the green,” said ArtWorks of Westfield founder and President Bill Westerlind.
He continued, “Creativity of artists is important to the vibrancy of our community. Our mission is to bring creators, which are the artists, and the community together to engage, inform, inspire, empower, educate and entertain in the heart of downtown Westfield, to see the world through different lenses.”
Casey Anne Brimmer, one of the artists exhibiting this year, will have several canvases available on Saturday, ranging from body-positive art to art that conveys an emotion or message. Their works on display will include several first-edition prints that include “body positive one,” “fragile,” and “Be Your Own Hero,” and an ample collection of stickers and pins with LGBTQ+, mental health, and neurodivergent messages.
“I have been creating art for as long as I can remember,” Brimmer said. “It really began as a way to cope with strong emotions and in some ways, to communicate with the world as an autistic person. I found that photography, especially, allowed me to communicate how I see things in the world. Now I use art as a form of coping with strong emotions but also as a way to educate others about gender, sexuality, body positivity and related issues.”
Brimmer went on to say, “I really hope that people come out and see the contributions our community makes to the art world, to the city of Westfield, and to humanity. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are also part of the Westfield community. If you’re not LGBTQ+ but you want to be an ally, come out and support the artists at this event.”
ArtWorks of Westfield member artist Courtney Froebel will have a painting of frogs with different kinds of pride flags on them representing diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community, and a portrait of the queer villain HIM from the cartoon show “PowerPuff Girls.”
“It’s important to celebrate all people of our community, more now than ever, with everything that’s going on in the world,” Froebel stated. “It’s important that our fellow gay community feel safe, welcomed and know that there’s people out there who support them. I myself am a member of that community and I just want my LGBTQ+ family to know that I’m here, you’re seen, and you’re loved.”
Artist and West Springfield resident Rachel Federico will also have paintings on display. One of her recent favorites is a painting called “Bear Hole,” depicting a nature preserve in her hometown. The trail is one Federico has walked contemplating life, making decisions or when she needs to clear my head.
“There is a drive in my soul that longs to create,” Federico explained. “Creating art that tries to bring the viewer into my world. Bring them into how I see and interpret a landscape. To hopefully have them resonate with my abstracts that are filled with unreleased emotions.”
She continued, “This event is important to help not only support local artists but to also help support local LGBTQIA+ persons who could use their art to express themselves.”
Last year, Kristin Mello, a Westfield city councilor and also a leader on the Westfield Pride Committee, approached ArtWorks about doing something during Pride Month. Art with Pride was the result. Both the community and artists liked the inaugural edition in 2022, so this year ArtWorks reinvigorated its collaboration with Westfield Pride not only for the art show, but for the entire month.
“Westfield is quickly becoming an art and cultural creative hot spot in Western Massachusetts,” Westerlind said. “We’re excited about the possibilities and the opportunities to build inclusiveness and belonging. That’s what we want Westfield to be, a friendly space and a friendly place to come. We’re very happy to be a part of this.”
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