Today, Paul Harryn was named artist in residence for the 2016 Allentown JazzFest. Mr. Harryn is native to the Lehigh Valley and has been creating provocative contemporary art for more than four decades with exhibitions and commissions that span the globe. From January through May of 2014 the Allentown Art Museum filled their galleries with recent paintings, drawings, sculpture, video, and music from his series entitled “Essence of Nature”.
Harryn creates art that is representative of our cultures’ aesthetic diversity by working on both coasts – in direct contact with the New York Schools of painting from his studio south of Easton (along the Delaware River) and frequent assimilation of the style and vitality of the Southern California art scene from studios in Santa Monica and Venice, CA.
“Paul’s creative energy is a force to be reckoned with. This becomes apparent immediately upon meeting him. The depth and scope of his art is undeniable. It is an honor to have an artist of Paul Harryn’s caliber create the visual elements that will represent the Allentown JazzFest in 2016.” said Bryan Tuk, the Executive Director and CEO of the Allentown JazzFest. “The fact that improvisation plays such a key role in Harryn’s creative process made Paul a natural choice for the development of the Festival’s art,” Mr. Tuk said.
Mr. Harryn added: “Music – particularly improvisational jazz – has always been an integral part of my Art. I’ve been drawing this music of the soul since I learned to hold a pencil. I’m enthusiastic about the new “IMPROV Series” which will be used to promote this year’s exciting roster of talent participating in the Allentown JazzFest – a series of works that reflect the passion and vibrancy that jazz represents. I am delighted to be part of this significant contribution to the advancement of art and consciousness in our region”.