An accomplished illustrator, painter and curator, Al Johnson has been a professional artist all of his life. Even as a young artist, Mr. Johnson received attention in both the New York and national media. Referred to as “the artist” from childhood, he was awarded the Most Talented Award from the Queens Borough President. Due to such commendations, he met Journalist Jimmy Breslin, which provided Young Al Johnson with the opportunity to be hired as a courtroom sketch artist for the famous Rubin Hurricane Carter trial. To the amazement of onlookers, the young artist was able to capture the expressions and emotions displayed in the courtroom.
These gifts led Mr. Johnson to study at Pratt Art Institute, the Students Art League and at the Albert Pale School of Commercial Arts under the instruction of Jack Faragasso. Merging both talents of commercial and fine arts proved to develop into a signature art form for him.
After years embracing the commercial art industry with his talents, Mr. Johnson unveiled his fine art works to the public in 1994. His work has helped to raise funds for AIDS awareness for the Hard Rock Café in collaboration with the Kool Hip Funky Stuff and the Modern Primitive Gallery in Atlanta, Ga. Following his commitment to the world community, Mr. Johnson co-founded the Cross Culture Gallery during the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Ga. in 1996. According to Mr. Johnson, “the world got its first look at Cross Culture! It’s the tribe of the future. That’s what I call it. A view of what is to come because of the many cultures that are connecting this world we will become one.”
Artists 
