James Buxton’s Artist Biography
Artist James L. Buxton, Jr. was born in Newburgh, New York in the late-fifties. Mr. Buxton received a B.F.A. in Sculpture from Cornell University and two M.F.A.’s from the University of Pennsylvania, one in Sculpture and the other in Printmaking. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Mr. Buxton traveled abroad to Europe. He established residence in Paris and spent time in Belgium and Holland to experience the cultural and artistic lifestyle of Europe.
Upon returning home to the United States, Mr. Buxton worked for the city of Newburgh, N.Y. Public School System as an art teacher. Mr. Buxton had an interesting list of job occupations after returning from Europe such as: Recreational Program Leader in Art & Crafts for the New York State Correctional Facility for over five years, Art & Crafts Teacher/Counselor for New York State Department of Youth Facility for over four years, Chaser for a Sculpture Casting Facility for one year, and Art therapist Assistant for the Bronx Psychiatric Center for one years. Mr. Buxton presently has been a Professor of Art at Central Connecticut State University since the fall of 1991. He teaches a wide range of sculpture and craft classes to undergraduate and graduate students.
As a young child Mr. Buxton knew that art would play an important role in his life. Art created a way out of many negative street occupations, and a haven from unhealthy neighborhood distractions. He grew up in a non-traditional household with his southern Baptist grandmother and uncle with strong values and work ethics. They raised him for most of his early and young adult years.
Mr. Buxton remembers the early years growing up in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York State roaming the hills and riverfront with his brothers and friends exploring the vibrant and charged landscape scenery. He couldn’t have known then that the Mid-Hudson Valley landscape would play such an important thematic role in his life and works.
Mr. Buxton was honored with being inducted into the Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Art, Architecture in America and International Who’s Who of Intellectuals. He served as a juror on The Connecticut Commission On The Arts percentage for arts program for several years.
Mr. Buxton stated that in his life-long pursuit for creative inspiration, he has come to the realization that his processes of art making have always carried a narrative subject matter. The story is the guiding force behind his creative inspiration.