Midnight Snack Trays… A Feast for the Eyes
A Personal Canvas from the Sculptor Who Brought Real Life to Bronze
Yountville Arts is proud to present Midnight Snack Trays: A Feast for the Eyes, on view June 26 through September 12, 2025, at the Steve Rogers Gallery in Yountville. Sponsored by The Seward Johnson Atelier, this collection reflects Johnson’s passion for celebrating everyday moments and the collective joy of life.
The mission of the Yountville Arts Commission is to celebrate and share the transformative power of art through engaging exhibitions at the Steve Rogers Gallery. Hosting up to six exhibits annually including local, regional, and world-renowned artist, the Gallery is pleased to welcome Seward Johnson’s iconic and deeply personal work, Midnight Snack Trays, this summer.
BACKGROUND: Sculptor and painter Seward Johnson (1930–2020) founded the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute in 1974 to help sculptors retain control over their artwork and gain access to previously guarded production techniques. His Foundation continues to enhance and enrich the lives of both artists and the public long after his passing in 2020. Yountville Arts is honored to bring this extraordinary exhibit to our Napa Valley community.
“Midnight Snack Art helps me lose myself in order to find myself.”
— Seward Johnson
Seward Johnson was an American artist best known for his trompe-l'œil painted bronze sculptures. A grandson of Robert Wood Johnson Sr., co-founder of Johnson & Johnson, Johnson gained global recognition for his monumental and life-sized figurative works, including Sidewalk Judge, one of the most photographed sculptures along the Yountville Art Walk. His work is exhibited internationally and held in numerous private, public, and museum collections.
Midnight Snack Trays began in the 1960s as a departure from Johnson’s traditional bronze work. These painted snack trays were a fusion of utility and personal expression—offering the artist warmth, contentment, and an escape from the more intensive demands of sculpting as well as a convenient vehicle for breakfast on the porch. Johnson collected trays from antique shows to use as canvases for his homey, intimate scenes. Johnson sourced trays from antique shows, transforming each into an intimate canvas for homey and whimsical scenes.
In Fall 2024, the Town of Yountville and Yountville Arts were approached by The Seward Johnson Atelier to explore future collaborations. “We were first contacted by Lynn DeClemente Losavio, Chief Legacy Officer, who was planning a visit to Napa Valley and wanted to see Seward Johnson’s Sidewalk Judge in person,” says Samantha Holland, Director of Parks and Recreation. “When Lynn arrived, she was so impressed with our Public Art program that our conversation quickly turned to potential opportunities. When she shared that Seward had hand-painted trays during sleepless nights, we realized they could make for a compelling and heartfelt show in our Gallery.” That initial meeting led to the creation of Midnight Snack Trays… A Feast for the Eyes.
“We are so excited to present this gem of a collection,” says Yountville Arts Commissioner Noel Resnick. “Seward Johnson’s sculpture has long been a highlight of our Art Walk, and this deeply personal collection of painted trays further connects our community to his vision and artistry.”
The subjects of Midnight Snack Trays are places of the heart—scenes from Johnson’s home and farm in Hopewell, NJ, and glimpses of Grounds For Sculpture, the 42-acre museum, sculpture garden, and arboretum he and his wife brought to life. The exhibit will feature over 60 hand-painted trays selected from both The Seward Johnson Atelier and the Johnson Family’s private collection. While the full body of work includes several hundred trays, this curated selection offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth and intimacy of Johnson’s painted landscapes and domestic scenes.
Displayed in the Steve Rogers Gallery, the trays form a vivid visual journey across time and place. Johnson’s treatment of everyday objects through fine art offers viewers a new lens of reflection, nostalgia, and wonder. Complementing the intimacy of the trays, the exhibition will also unveil a lifelike sculpture by Johnson titled Sidewalk Concert, which invites viewers to consider the connection between his sculptural storytelling and his painted narratives. Following the exhibit, Sidewalk Concert will become a new addition to the Yountville Art Walk, where it will delight visitors for the next year.
“It’s easy sometimes to forget the simple things that give us pleasure. If we open our eyes, life is marvelous.”
— Seward Johnson
Guided by Seward Johnson’s passion for honoring life’s everyday moments, Yountville Arts and The Seward Johnson Atelier continue to preserve and expand his legacy—igniting curiosity, dialogue, and joy, while reminding us that public art shapes our impressions, memories, and sense of human connection.
The public is invited to view Midnight Snack Trays… A Feast for the Eyes at the Steve Rogers Gallery, 6516 Washington Street, Yountville. Join us for the Opening Reception on Thursday, June 26, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM.
The exhibit will remain on display through September 12, 2025.
Gallery Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 4 PM
Evenings and Sundays by appointment.
For more information, contact Katelyn Huss at (707) 944-8712 or khuss@yville.com.
Visit www.yountvillearts.com.
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