FREDERICK JOHNSTON
New Orleans, LA
2024-2025 Grant Art Tech Sustainability
Fred Johnston is a multimedia artist and New Orleans native who seeks to create work that speaks directly to the soul with clarity and resonance. “I strive to imbue my work with a sense of purpose and intentionality, ensuring that each piece carries a clear message that resonates with both the creator and the viewer alike,” says Johnston, who views the variety of tools he uses as different facets of the same creative impulse. “What truly inspires me is the beauty of individual expression, the unique spark of creativity that resides within each person,” he reflects. His practice includes traditional painting and drawing, digital design, and derma-graphics.
This grant will enable Johnston to access cutting-edge technology to propel his work to new heights. “I am poised to harness the transformative power of technological advancements, elevating my bespoke art practices to meet the standards of the present and future,” says Johston, who wishes to make his work more accessible to a wider audience. “Central to my artistic vision is the belief that art possesses the remarkable ability to serve as a medium for healing and transformation. This vision, born from my own experiences, drives me to create art that provides a safe and nurturing space for individuals to explore, express, and heal from trauma and adversity. Just as art became a source of solace and empowerment for me during challenging times, I aspire to offer the same refuge to others through my work,” he reflects.
Fred Johnston first joined the YAYA Guild in 1988.