Moravian Academy welcomed fine spray paint artist Tyrone J. Webb II to the Merle-Smith Campus on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, for an artist's talk and reception to celebrate the opening of the art gallery in  the Walter Hall lounge. 

Born and raised in Bethlehem, PA, Tyrone was schooled in Computer Science and Project Management. At the age of 24 he left PA to work the next 14 years with IBM in Boulder, CO far removed from a life within the arts. In 2012 he sought a way to counter the stresses of corporate citizenry, and decided to make something with spray paint and poster board in his garage. The results couldn't have been more transformative. “Nothing like finding what you want to do for the rest of your life," Tyrone says. 

Now a full-time artist, he is a visible member of the Lehigh Valley art community working to create wondrous images of pure imagination through a medium of his own creation. Most recently, he began working to help build a new community arts center in Emmaus, PA called Juxtahub. You can see Tyrone's work in the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, where Spanish teacher and artist Mr. Dave Sommers also has a studio.

Tyrone's goal with his art is to change the perception of spray paint as a medium and at the same time bring more sci-fi and fantasy into the imaginations of the community. His work has been featured in galleries all across the globe including Beijing, NYC, Seoul, Art Basel Miami, and now at Moravian Academy. With a strong social following ranging from celebrities to everyday folk, his client base is full spectrum. He has been interviewed, published and awarded many times over the past 12 years for his method and content and to this day strives to introduce as many as he can to this medium.

He shared advice with students on the intersection of art and business, flipping the stereotype of the "struggling artist" on its head. "You're not struggling; you're learning," he told a full room of students and faculty, including student members of the National Art Honor Society who were particularly excited and served as hosts for this event. He spoke on his spray paint technique, artistic philosophies, the role of digital art and artificial intelligence in creating, and the inspiration and process behind the paintings now hanging in the Junior/Senior Lounge. 

Dr. Rachel Wright, Director of the Merle-Smith Campus, was inspired to use the lounge space as a gallery since she first stepped foot on campus. In partnership with the following people, that dream has been realized with this inaugural gallery opening, and we look forward to hosting many professional and student artists in this space in the future. Our thanks go to: 

• Dr. Kelvin Sealey, Director of Strategic Partnerships and External Programming
• Mr. David Sommers, Spanish teacher and artist
• Mx. Lindsay Woodruff, Co-Chair, Visual & Performing Arts
  

Moravian Academy thanks Tyrone for gracing our walls with his incredible art and for sharing his knowledge with students. He is available for commissions, gallery and venue display. To learn more:

• X/Twitter @windswept1111
• Instagram: @fine_spray_paint_art
• Email: windswept1111@gmail.com