Whether it is a mural under a bridge, or a book jacket, a band poster, an invitation, it is easy to recognize James Weinberg's distinct character. A designer, illustrator and artist, Weinberg unites the tenacious and bold with whimsy, pulling an audience towards the work and then enchanting that audience to stay with it.
Can you give a brief overview of what you do?
I work in silkscreen printing on paper and have a studio at Miller Street in Somerville. My work tends to be graphic and illustrative and use a lot of typography and textures.
Are there some past projects you’d like to mention in more detail?
I designed a mural commissioned for Assembly Row that is 300 feet wide below the Lombardi Bridge. Working at that scale was new for me and I like the idea of having art be part of the Somerville landscape.
What projects are you most excited about that are on the horizon?
Art Crank is a bike themed printmaking show is coming to Somerville in October I am excited to participate in that. I hope to self-publish a book that is all silkscreen.
A profession in the arts can be difficult. Can you talk about some of the challenges?
I am fortunate that my work translates well to illustration and design, while that has its challenges it is a billable form of art. I print for other artists and designers too which helps keep the lights on.
Why do you do what you do? What’s something you get out of it?
I get so much inspiration from my environment and the printmaking process. I often make test-prints making layers on layers randomly and I find interesting effects, compositions and color combinations. Wait that did not even answer your question, I am not sure why, I suppose it's just a calling like anything else.
Any thoughts on the local Somerville or Boston-area creative scene?
I tend to be doing my own thing so I can not say I am an authority on the local art scene. What interactions I have with local artists and creatives has been great. There are often grumblings of Boston being a tough town for artists. Because rents are high there seems to be a push for collective work spaces. Places like Fringe Union have shown that there are some new models for artist and designers working for themselves. There is a DIY spirit to being an artist around here and you have to hustle.
Can you name off some of the people/places/things in this world that you find amazing and want us to know about?
I love biking out to Concord and Lincoln, the Gropius House is a must see in Lincoln. The Peabody Essex Museum and the Natural History Museum at Harvard are places I go for inspiration. Somerville has a ton of hardworking and stellar artists who are all superstars.
More Artists of the Month from 2014
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About the Artist of the Month
This program is inspired by the Nave Gallery’s “Featured Artist” program, which ran from 2005 to 2009.
SAC’s Artist of the Month program is a way for us to celebrate the enormous wealth of talent in our city, by shining a spotlight on a different creative Somervillian each month.
This program has been put together by a whole raft of people: Coordinators Jenn Harrington (2013-2014) and Kellie Veiga (2013), Gilmore Tammy (2017) and Somerville Arts Council board members Matt Kaliner, Tim Devin, Valeria Amato, and Michael J. Epstein, Bill House (2019-2020), Charan Devereaux (2019-2025), Tori Weston (2019-2025) and Andrea Read (2022-2025). Current coordinators, are Kerrie Kemperman (2019-), Seth Garcia (2025-), and Ben Cuba (2026-).
Know of a great Somerville based artist who should be recognized, please nominate the artist for consideration. We seek artists who contribute to the community through their strong work and community collaborations. Artist should either reside in the City or contribute to the City’s vibrant art scene.