How the Stutz Artists Residency Helped Launch Artist Johnson Simon’s Career
In 2019, artist Johnson Simon became a Stutz Artist in Residence, which was an experience that played a pivotal role in shaping his career and deepening his connection to the Indianapolis arts community. Looking back, Simon describes the residency as a moment of perfect timing, affirmation, and opportunity.
The Right Email at the Right Time
While completing graduate school at the Herron School of Art and Design, Simon was fully immersed in thesis work and the demands of finishing his degree. He had forgotten that he had applied for the Stutz Artists Residency when an unexpected email arrived: he had been selected as one of the top two applicants for the program.
Simon graduated from Herron in 2018, and the timing couldn’t have been better. The residency served as a powerful confirmation that he could persevere as an artist in Indianapolis while building a life and career rooted in the city.
Building Community After Graduate School
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the residency was the chance to integrate into Indy’s art community. As a recent graduate, Simon felt his résumé was still developing. The Stutz Artists Residency helped bridge that gap by providing studio access, professional experience, and exposure to a supportive network of artists.
As a newcomer to The Stutz and the broader arts scene, Simon recalls feeling immediately welcomed. Being part of the residency put both him and his work on people’s radar and helped him feel that he was truly in the right place at the right time.
Exposure That Opened Doors
The residency also led to valuable public recognition. Simon credits the program with helping him access PR opportunities, including a featured article “'This is who I am': Kids taunted him for having cerebral palsy. Then he found his talent.” by Arts and Creativity Reporter, Domenica Bongiovanni, in The Indianapolis Star that brought widespread attention to his work and story.
That moment marked a turning point, as Simon began receiving increased recognition and momentum within the arts community.
“My Art Is My Movement”
Johnson Simon has always known he wanted to be an artist. His work is deeply personal and intentional.
“My art is my movement,” Simon says. “It’s what I focus on.”
Through painting, Simon channels focus, expression, and perseverance. He uses art as both a practice and a form of motion.
Returning to The Stutz
Today, Simon is once again part of The Stutz—this time as a resident artist and member of the Stutz Artists Association. In March 2025, he and fellow artist Matthew Rosenbrough (ROSEY) moved into a shared studio, Studio A-275.
The two artists attended graduate school together and have grown side by side in their artistic journeys. Sharing a studio allows them to continue learning, painting, and evolving together.
Their move came just ahead of Easel by Penrod at The Stutz, a major annual event that brings more than 1,000 visitors into the building to support local artists—another example of meaningful timing in Simon’s career.
A Residency That Made a Lasting Impact
From graduate school to residency, from exposure to long-term community, Johnson Simon’s experience as a Stutz Artist in Residence helped propel his career forward. Today, he can be found working regularly in his studio at The Stutz, where he continues to create, connect, and inspire.
The Stutz Artists Residency Program remains proud to count Johnson Simon among its alumni and to see the lasting impact the program has had on his artistic path.
