James Willis
www.jameswillisart.co.uk jameswillisartist@gmail.com Insta: james.willis.artist
Painter of portraits and architecture, Art Historian and Educator, Consultant and Author
I am deeply honored to be invited to be your Art Champion at the Centre Academy London. Thank you so much.
I very much believe in creativity as a bridge to build confidence, self-awareness and
expression as well as a way to communicate with the world. It is an essential part of our lives and an important core element at all levels of education. In a time when creative subjects are being cut from the national curriculum it seems to me all the more important to support and develop the arts in schools.
Trish is an exceptionally gifted art tutor whose empathy and abundant compassion allow creativity with intention and freedom to the benefit of the students and all who come in contact with their achievements.
I enjoyed meeting the students and staff at the school and joining in the exhibition and lessons I attended. It showed me how insightful, creative and progressive the students become on their journey with you.
I am proud to be associated with the Centre Academy London and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Education
University of Chester, BA Hons. Fine Art and Music, 1984-1987 (winner of the St Peter’s Saltney Prize)
North Hertfordshire College, Grad IPD, 1992-1993
Birkbeck, University of London, MA History of Art, 2006-2008
Solo Exhibitions
- Back to the Drawing Board (with Carl Laubin), North Hertfordshire Museum, 2022-23 Visions of Greenwich, Greenwich Old Royal Naval College, 2019
- The London Paintings, Coin Street Gallery, Oxo Tower, London, 2015
- People, Places, Perspectives, The Nehru Centre, India High Commission, London, 2011 Forty New Paintings, Letchworth Arts Centre, Letchworth Garden City, 2005
- First Solo Show, Letchworth Arts Centre, Letchworth Garden City, 2000
Joint/Selected Shows
- Fabriano in Aquarello, Bologna, 2024 RWS, Mall Galleries, London, 2024
- RSMA Mall Galleries, London, 2020, 2017
- I Love Herts, Letchworth Arts Centre, Letchworth Garden City, 2010 Home, North Hertfordshire Museum and Art Gallery, Hitchin,1995
- A Yorkshire Anthology, Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery, 1995 Turberville-Smith Gallery, Berkeley Square, London 1995
Commissions
- Luton Hoo House Hotel, Sir John Soane’s Museum, Barclays Bank Plc
