WESTFIELD — The Westfield Memorial Library and the Westfield Art Association are pleased to announce that the fifth Artist-in-Residence has just begun his residency at the library. The Artist-in-Residence program brings Westfield’s talented local artists to the library for the entire community to enjoy through talks, hands-on workshops, studio sessions and exhibitions.

William Palm is a New Jersey– based painter working in watercolor, ink and oil. His work explores light, atmosphere, and memory through scenes of coastlines, railroads, and everyday landscapes. Blending traditional techniques with a contemporary sense of color and mood, Mr. Palm invites viewers to pause and reflect on familiar places and quiet moments. His work can be seen on his website williamjpalm.com During his residency, Mr. Palm will develop a spring series of ink and watercolor paintings created on-site on select Mondays from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The public is invited to watch him and ask questions.

On Monday, April 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Mr. Palm will teach a class: A Simple Coastal Scene in Watercolor for Adults/Seniors, and on Saturday, May from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., he will teach Cherry Blossoms/ Blooming Flowers in Watercolor for Children (grades 3-5). Registration for both classes opens on Monday, April 6 at 11:00 a.m.

Associate Director Liz Kennedy said, ‘We are thrilled to welcome William Palm as the first of four artists of our 2026 Artist in Residence cohort. We celebrate the start of spring with a new season full of artistic expression. TheArtist in Residence program offers local artists the unique opportunity to share their creative process with the community.

“During our studio sessions, patrons can observe the artists’ craft and through hands-on workshops they can learn and explore those techniques themselves. We encourage everyone to stop by and visit William during our studio sessions and admire his artwork, which is displayed in the hallway across from the library’s meeting room.’

The library will hold a facilitated conversation with Mr. Palm and Darrin Owens, President of the Westfield ArtAssociation on Sunday, April 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Mr. Owens said, “The Westfield Art Association Board of Directors was excited to receive nine applications from member artists seeking a residency at the library this year. That is the most applications we have received since the program started three years ago. The selection committee had a difficult choice as any of the applicants would make a great resident artist. We are so happy that the library decided to allow four artists in residence this year rather than two. Each artist will still teach two workshops open to the public and will create their art at the library, but each residency will last only two months.

“The four artists in this year’s residency create different styles of art but they all share a passion for creating and sharing their passion with the public. William Palm is the first artist in residence starting on April 1; he has been producing and teaching art for many years. I think the library patrons will enjoy his different mediums and the way he simplifies the artistic process. William plans to paint with watercolor at the library entrance during his residency.”

The Westfield Art Association is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1922 that provides public art education and public exhibitions with work from its member artists.

About Westfield Memorial Library Westfield Memorial Library is a public library dedicated to providing free and equitable access to information, resources, and cultural experiences for residents of Westfield and the surrounding community. Through innovative programming and responsive services, the library advances literacy, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.

Visit the library’s website at wmlnj.org/ to register for the Sunday afternoon event, sign up for a library card or learn more about library programs and resources. The library is located at 550 East Broad Street and hours are Monday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.