Directory

Contact: AJ Noyes
Phone: (814) 440-2618
Address:
48 West 34th Street
Erie, PA 16508

Artist Statement

AJ Noyes is a visual artist specializing in a variety of mediums.

History/Biography

A native of Rochester, New York, AJ settled in Erie in 2004 after marrying and residing in Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota, and Indiana. Her husband Tom directs the BFA program in Creative Writing at Penn State Behrend, and they have two children: Josie, 21 a junior English/Writing major at Penn State Harrisburg, and Wyatt, 10, a Minecraft aficionado and 4th grader at Luther Memorial Academy.

AJ has always been artistically inclined, taking painting lessons as a child and teen and earning a High School Regents Diploma in Art from New York State in 1989 and a BA in Studio Art from Houghton College in 1993.

AJ’s artwork typically incorporates bright colors, bold graphics, and stylized forms. She enjoys creating digital images as well as hand painted ones, and spent 13 years at the Cathedral of St. Paul (Episcopal) designing and producing logos, graphics, brochures, posters, and various print and digital publications.

As a general rule, AJ finds she cannot lead a happy, fulfilled life if not creating on a regular basis. Whether is it a mural, an art installation, a magazine cover, an embroidered image, a beaded necklace...she loves the challenge and the process of creating art in many forms. She also enjoys cycling, gardening, hiking, baking, kayaking, and summer weather.

Freelance Art

Cover art: Design and production of Lake Effect International Literary Magazine covers (2010 - present) including a variety of cover art illustrations (2007 - present) for Lake Effect International Literary Magazine.

Mural: Heritage Park, exterior fence of Heritage Park, East 7th Street, Erie, PA 16507, July 2020. In cooperation with the ServErie Resident artists and staff, design and production of mural (approx. 5 feet high, 50 feet wide), incorporating the words of a local poet, symbolism representing the Puerto Rican, Bhutanese and African American populations in the area while using the ServErie brand colors.

Mural: Connell Cougars, cafeteria of JoAnna Connell Elementary School, 1820 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16510, July 2019. As part of the ServErie School Initiative, design and production of mural (approx. 19 feet high, 50 feet wide). Coordinated and instructed numerous volunteers as part of the project.

Murals: City of Erie and Solar System, the second floor of Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School, 235 East 11th Street, Erie, PA 16503, July 2018. As part of the ServErie School Initiative, design and production of two murals (each covering 75 feet in length, floor to ceiling). Coordinated and instructed numerous volunteers as part of the project.

Art Installation: Pentecost, Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 West 7th Street, Erie, PA, 16501, June - September 2018. Conceptualized and designed a sheer fabric draping using over 300 yards of fabric in the cathedral space.

Art Installation: Pray for Erie Prayer Arbor, Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 West 7th Street, Erie, PA, 16501, June - November 2016. Conceptualized and designed the Prayer Arbor displayed at the Cathedral entrance on West 6th Street. The interactive installation invited the public to write their prayers for the city of Erie on ribbons, then tie the ribbons to a garden-style arbor.

Murals: Sky ceiling, Orlando Family Denistry, 3235 West 38th Street, Erie, PA, 16506, May 2013. Design and production of ceiling murals in waiting room and all exam rooms.

Design and production of a number of murals in businesses and homes as well as commissioned smaller painted items (furniture, decorative signs, plaques, etc.)

Mural: Design and production of Perry Square Fountain mural, Perry Square Park, Erie, PA, 16501, August 2007. Contacted Erie Downtown Improvement District board with a proposal for repainting, negotiated the design with the board, then submitted a class proposal to the Penn State Behrend’s College for Kids program, and served as instructor to a group of 17 teens who repainted the fountain with the design.

Murals: ArtDeco designs, building restoration project, Terre Haute, IN, 47803, 2003. Design and production of a number of murals and faux finishes for a building restoration project.