Wiley Johnson is a talented self-taught 38 year old artist who has autism spectrum disorder. He lives alone and doesn’t drive. I, Joy Johnson, am his mom and art manager. I have the pleasure of getting his art out into the world. Wiley had a dream that painting would become his profession and the dream has come true! He is only able to continue his dream through the support of his family and those who buy his art.
He started painting as a hobby approximately 2009. His only sibling and best friend, Zach, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2011. He found that painting helped him deal with his brother's death just as it helps him deal with everyday problems.
Wiley has exhibited at a number of group exhibits in art galleries and events in the Raleigh, NC area over the years. 2020 was a year of transformation for Wiley from a hobbyist painter to an emerging artist. He had solo exhibitions at the Woman's Club of Raleigh and MOFU restaurant, Raleigh, NC on 2020 and at Golden Belt Grand Gallery, Durham, NC and Esteamed Coffee in Cary. NC in 2021. He was featured at the grand opening of Charlotte Russell Contemporary Gallery, in Raleigh 2021. Wiley received an Honorable mention for a national juried art call at the Floyd, VA Center for the Arts in 2021. He is currently scheduled for 5 more local solo exhibits.
Wiley Johnson is the first NC artist selected by ArtLifting, a US company which “…Connects Socially Conscious Companies With Talented Artists Impacted by Homelessness Or Disabilities.” His personal collection represented by ArtLifting can be found at https://www.artlifting.com/collections/wiley-johnson Gigantic reproductions of Wiley’s paintings have been installed at Chase Bank, 725 9th St., Durham, NC, Sutton Square, Raleigh, NC, and Fifth Third Bank Wake Forest, NC by ArtLifting.
Exhibition History
2024 Solo Exhibitions
Cary Bond Park solo exhibit, Jan. 16- Apr. 16, Cary, NC
Garner Performing Art Center solo exhibit, Mar. 1-Mid Apr. 2024, Garner, NC
Apex Cultural Arts Center The Halle solo exhibit, Apex- May 1-Jun. 1, 2024, Apex, NC
Town of Fuqua Varina Gallery solo exhibit, Nov.-Dec. 2024, Fuquay Varina, NC
Solo and 2 persons Exhibits
2023
Galleryone 962, solo exhibit Mar. 20-26, online exhibits
NC Medical Board 2-person exhibit, May-Oct. 2023, Raleigh, NC
Esteamed Coffee 2-person exhibit, Jul. 1 – Sept. 30, 2023, Cary, NC
FineFolks solo exhibit, Aug.-Sept. 2023, Raleigh, NC
Woman's Club of Raleigh, Dec., 2023
2022
Through the Layers, a 2-person exhibition at the Block Gallery, Raleigh, NC.
Gathering Gallery, solo exhibit, Raleigh, NC.
Across the Spectrum, a 2-person exhibition exhibit at the Upfront Gallery of Artspace, Raleigh, NC.
Industrious Wells Fargo Capitol Center solo exhibit at, Raleigh, NC.
2021
Industrious, Capitol Square solo exhibit Raleigh, NC,
Color Interactions, Charlotte Russell Contemporary Art Gallery Grand Opening, 2 person
exhibition, Raleigh, NC
Esteamed Coffee solo exhibit, Cary, NC
Chelsea Café solo exhibit, Durham, NC,
Through the Spectrum: Collection of Paintings, Solo exhibition at Golden Belt Grande Gallery
by the Durham Art Guild, Durham, NC.
2020
Women’s Club solo exhibit, Raleigh, NC
MOFU Shoppe solo exhibit, Raleigh, NC
Selected Juried Group Exhibits
2023
January in Art exhibit Galleryone 962, online exhibit
All Abstract 2023, 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC
Visual Art Exchange's Visionary Gala art auction, Union Station, Raleigh, NC.
Clayton Cultural Arts Center-featured with 3 other artists, Clayton, NC
2022
Art in Translation: Finding a Visual Voice Group Exhibit at the Raleigh Convention Center
Movement exhibit, one of a Series of Fortunate Events , sponsored by Arts Access at Sertoma Arts
Center, Raleigh, NC.
Visual Art Exchange's Visionary Gala art auction at Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC.
Group Pop-up art show, Gallery 5/For Your Convenience, Raleigh, NC.
Autism Museum Art Auction and Black-Tie Dinner, The W Loft, 240 Kent Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211
Color Focus exhibit with 4 other artists, Sertoma Arts Center, Raleigh, NC.
“Yellow” exhibit Galleryone 962, online exhibit
2021
Peel Gallery, Carrboro
Art Ability, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, Malvern, PA ( international juried call for
artists with disabilities)
Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd, VA (
Yadkinville Cultural Center of the Arts, Yadkinville, NC
Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh, NC
Mutual Aid Benefit Auction, Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, NC
Art Unblocked, Arts Access Series of Fortunate Events online, Raleigh, NC
North Carolina Museum of Art Museum Store, Raleigh, NC
2020
Something For Everyone, 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC
ReAwakening exhibit, Golden Belt Grande Gallery, Durham, NC
Trade Alley Gallery, Hickory, NC
Pleiades Arts 8th Annual Truth to Power Show, Power Plant Gallery, Durham NC
Art Unblocked, Arts Access Series of Fortunate Events: Block Gallery, Raleigh, NC
The Walls We Build: (dis)Ability - Pleiades Arts Gallery, Durham, NC
2010 -2019
Brushes with Life Gallery, NC Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC
2018
ULTRALIGHT II: juried by Visual Art Exchange, exhibited at United Arts Council, Raleigh, NC
2017
ULTRALIGHT, Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, NC
Licensed Reproductions Displayed Publicly
2022
Colors of the Universe, installed by ArtLifting outside at Fifth Third Bank, 100 Capcom Ave., Wake
Forest, NC
2021
The Snake Arises and Colors of the Universe, installed by ArtLifting in the windows of Chase Bank, 725 9 th
St. Durham, NC
Imagination installed by ArtLifting outside at Sutton Square, Raleigh, NC, purchased by Regency Centers
Awards and Grants
2023
Snapdragon Fund Grant
2022
United Arts Council Grant.
2021
Pivotal Fund Grant
Honorable Mention for Burning, Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd, VA
2020
First artist in NC, Represented by ArtLifting
First place winner, Local and District Woman’s Club of Raleigh Arts Festival, NC
2013 First place winner, Local and District Woman’s Club Raleigh Arts Festival, NC
Publicity/Press
2023
Neurodiversity Times Magazine, Issue 1, Apr. 2023.
2022
Raleigh Arts website and Arts Flash Newsletter of Raleigh Arts regarding Block Gallery exhibit,
Raleigh Convention Center exhibit, and 2 exhibits at the Sertoma Arts Center.
North State Journal 2/2/2022 https://nsjonline.com/article/2022/02/nc-artist-spotlight-wiley-
johnson/
Numerous recognitions in Artspace in the Community, Raleigh, NC since 2020.
2021
https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/artlifting-installs-incredible-art-for-a-cause-at-regencys-
sutton-square
Raleigh Today 9/7/21 Raleigh Today featured the opening of Charlotte Russell Contemporary
Talk of the Triangle 9/9/21 Talk of the Triangle features Colorful Interactions | Charlotte Russell
Contemporary
Raleigh Magazine 9/30/21 Oct. 2021 issue Raleigh Magazine featured Color Interactions |
Charlotte Russell Contemporary
Walter Magazine Dec 1, 2021 Walter Magazine Includes Color Interactions | Charlotte Russell
Contemporary
Garner Performing Arts Center Interview by Jon Shearin 3/22/21 posted to their website.
Artspace, Raleigh, NC promoted Wiley on their social media for one week as an Artist feature
2020
Walter Magazine, All-Access Arts: Raleigh’s Cultural Scene Welcomes All, 9/2020,
https://waltermagazine.com/art-and-culture/raleigh.
12/2020 Interview by Lauren Howard, Spectrum News: Wiley with Betsy Ludwig, Executive
Director Arts Access aired on local Spectrum channel several times in December 2020.
Other Early Exhibits & Sales Events:
Wiley has also displayed paintings at Mercury Studio in Durham, NC and Extraordinary Ventures in
Chapel Hill, NC. Other establishments that have displayed his paintings include Affordable Creative
Framer's Art, Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, Sertoma Art Center and , and HANDmeUPs in Raleigh, NC.
He started painting as a hobby approximately 2009. His only sibling and best friend, Zach, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2011. He found that painting helped him deal with his brother's death just as it helps him deal with everyday problems.
Wiley has exhibited at a number of group exhibits in art galleries and events in the Raleigh, NC area over the years. 2020 was a year of transformation for Wiley from a hobbyist painter to an emerging artist. He had solo exhibitions at the Woman's Club of Raleigh and MOFU restaurant, Raleigh, NC on 2020 and at Golden Belt Grand Gallery, Durham, NC and Esteamed Coffee in Cary. NC in 2021. He was featured at the grand opening of Charlotte Russell Contemporary Gallery, in Raleigh 2021. Wiley received an Honorable mention for a national juried art call at the Floyd, VA Center for the Arts in 2021. He is currently scheduled for 5 more local solo exhibits.
Wiley Johnson is the first NC artist selected by ArtLifting, a US company which “…Connects Socially Conscious Companies With Talented Artists Impacted by Homelessness Or Disabilities.” His personal collection represented by ArtLifting can be found at https://www.artlifting.com/collections/wiley-johnson Gigantic reproductions of Wiley’s paintings have been installed at Chase Bank, 725 9th St., Durham, NC, Sutton Square, Raleigh, NC, and Fifth Third Bank Wake Forest, NC by ArtLifting.
Exhibition History
2024 Solo Exhibitions
Cary Bond Park solo exhibit, Jan. 16- Apr. 16, Cary, NC
Garner Performing Art Center solo exhibit, Mar. 1-Mid Apr. 2024, Garner, NC
Apex Cultural Arts Center The Halle solo exhibit, Apex- May 1-Jun. 1, 2024, Apex, NC
Town of Fuqua Varina Gallery solo exhibit, Nov.-Dec. 2024, Fuquay Varina, NC
Solo and 2 persons Exhibits
2023
Galleryone 962, solo exhibit Mar. 20-26, online exhibits
NC Medical Board 2-person exhibit, May-Oct. 2023, Raleigh, NC
Esteamed Coffee 2-person exhibit, Jul. 1 – Sept. 30, 2023, Cary, NC
FineFolks solo exhibit, Aug.-Sept. 2023, Raleigh, NC
Woman's Club of Raleigh, Dec., 2023
2022
Through the Layers, a 2-person exhibition at the Block Gallery, Raleigh, NC.
Gathering Gallery, solo exhibit, Raleigh, NC.
Across the Spectrum, a 2-person exhibition exhibit at the Upfront Gallery of Artspace, Raleigh, NC.
Industrious Wells Fargo Capitol Center solo exhibit at, Raleigh, NC.
2021
Industrious, Capitol Square solo exhibit Raleigh, NC,
Color Interactions, Charlotte Russell Contemporary Art Gallery Grand Opening, 2 person
exhibition, Raleigh, NC
Esteamed Coffee solo exhibit, Cary, NC
Chelsea Café solo exhibit, Durham, NC,
Through the Spectrum: Collection of Paintings, Solo exhibition at Golden Belt Grande Gallery
by the Durham Art Guild, Durham, NC.
2020
Women’s Club solo exhibit, Raleigh, NC
MOFU Shoppe solo exhibit, Raleigh, NC
Selected Juried Group Exhibits
2023
January in Art exhibit Galleryone 962, online exhibit
All Abstract 2023, 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC
Visual Art Exchange's Visionary Gala art auction, Union Station, Raleigh, NC.
Clayton Cultural Arts Center-featured with 3 other artists, Clayton, NC
2022
Art in Translation: Finding a Visual Voice Group Exhibit at the Raleigh Convention Center
Movement exhibit, one of a Series of Fortunate Events , sponsored by Arts Access at Sertoma Arts
Center, Raleigh, NC.
Visual Art Exchange's Visionary Gala art auction at Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC.
Group Pop-up art show, Gallery 5/For Your Convenience, Raleigh, NC.
Autism Museum Art Auction and Black-Tie Dinner, The W Loft, 240 Kent Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211
Color Focus exhibit with 4 other artists, Sertoma Arts Center, Raleigh, NC.
“Yellow” exhibit Galleryone 962, online exhibit
2021
Peel Gallery, Carrboro
Art Ability, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, Malvern, PA ( international juried call for
artists with disabilities)
Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd, VA (
Yadkinville Cultural Center of the Arts, Yadkinville, NC
Compass Rose Brewery, Raleigh, NC
Mutual Aid Benefit Auction, Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, NC
Art Unblocked, Arts Access Series of Fortunate Events online, Raleigh, NC
North Carolina Museum of Art Museum Store, Raleigh, NC
2020
Something For Everyone, 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC
ReAwakening exhibit, Golden Belt Grande Gallery, Durham, NC
Trade Alley Gallery, Hickory, NC
Pleiades Arts 8th Annual Truth to Power Show, Power Plant Gallery, Durham NC
Art Unblocked, Arts Access Series of Fortunate Events: Block Gallery, Raleigh, NC
The Walls We Build: (dis)Ability - Pleiades Arts Gallery, Durham, NC
2010 -2019
Brushes with Life Gallery, NC Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC
2018
ULTRALIGHT II: juried by Visual Art Exchange, exhibited at United Arts Council, Raleigh, NC
2017
ULTRALIGHT, Visual Art Exchange, Raleigh, NC
Licensed Reproductions Displayed Publicly
2022
Colors of the Universe, installed by ArtLifting outside at Fifth Third Bank, 100 Capcom Ave., Wake
Forest, NC
2021
The Snake Arises and Colors of the Universe, installed by ArtLifting in the windows of Chase Bank, 725 9 th
St. Durham, NC
Imagination installed by ArtLifting outside at Sutton Square, Raleigh, NC, purchased by Regency Centers
Awards and Grants
2023
Snapdragon Fund Grant
2022
United Arts Council Grant.
2021
Pivotal Fund Grant
Honorable Mention for Burning, Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd, VA
2020
First artist in NC, Represented by ArtLifting
First place winner, Local and District Woman’s Club of Raleigh Arts Festival, NC
2013 First place winner, Local and District Woman’s Club Raleigh Arts Festival, NC
Publicity/Press
2023
Neurodiversity Times Magazine, Issue 1, Apr. 2023.
2022
Raleigh Arts website and Arts Flash Newsletter of Raleigh Arts regarding Block Gallery exhibit,
Raleigh Convention Center exhibit, and 2 exhibits at the Sertoma Arts Center.
North State Journal 2/2/2022 https://nsjonline.com/article/2022/02/nc-artist-spotlight-wiley-
johnson/
Numerous recognitions in Artspace in the Community, Raleigh, NC since 2020.
2021
https://connect.regencycenters.com/blog/artlifting-installs-incredible-art-for-a-cause-at-regencys-
sutton-square
Raleigh Today 9/7/21 Raleigh Today featured the opening of Charlotte Russell Contemporary
Talk of the Triangle 9/9/21 Talk of the Triangle features Colorful Interactions | Charlotte Russell
Contemporary
Raleigh Magazine 9/30/21 Oct. 2021 issue Raleigh Magazine featured Color Interactions |
Charlotte Russell Contemporary
Walter Magazine Dec 1, 2021 Walter Magazine Includes Color Interactions | Charlotte Russell
Contemporary
Garner Performing Arts Center Interview by Jon Shearin 3/22/21 posted to their website.
Artspace, Raleigh, NC promoted Wiley on their social media for one week as an Artist feature
2020
Walter Magazine, All-Access Arts: Raleigh’s Cultural Scene Welcomes All, 9/2020,
https://waltermagazine.com/art-and-culture/raleigh.
12/2020 Interview by Lauren Howard, Spectrum News: Wiley with Betsy Ludwig, Executive
Director Arts Access aired on local Spectrum channel several times in December 2020.
Other Early Exhibits & Sales Events:
Wiley has also displayed paintings at Mercury Studio in Durham, NC and Extraordinary Ventures in
Chapel Hill, NC. Other establishments that have displayed his paintings include Affordable Creative
Framer's Art, Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, Sertoma Art Center and , and HANDmeUPs in Raleigh, NC.