CHICOPEE – Artist Johnny Miranda calls his work, “an organized mess.” But that’s what he likes about it.

Miranda’s studio and gallery, at 20 Center St., in Chicopee, is called “oOps! an art experience.” There, people can have private parties, corporate events, fundraisers, and events for school kids. All of Miranda’s events are about embracing mistakes.

“I encourage people to make mistakes. That is what you truly learn through art,” Miranda said.
To that end, Miranda created “happy oOps!,” in collaboration with artist and art teacher Amy Green Carter. Carter wrote a children’s book, “Happy Accidents,” about a character who transforms mistakes into art by using her imagination. At a happy oOps! event, children, ages 6 to 12, listen to a reading of the book and then create art based on open-ended prompts.

In addition to connecting literacy and the arts, Miranda said that happy oOps! teaches kids to have confidence in their decision-making skills.

“It's a good way to build resilience in kids,” Miranda said. “Making mistakes is normal and they should embrace them.”

“Proceeds of every happy oOps! event will help sponsor children in homeless shelters to have their own happy oOps! painting experience,” states the happy oOps! website.

Miranda said he would like to host a happy oOps! event once a month and is planning to expand the book selection to other authors.

Happy oOps! has received grants from the cultural councils of Chicopee, Holyoke, and South Hadley to hold happy oOps! events. On April 20, Amy Green Carter and Miranda will host a happy oOps! lunch at the Chicopee Public Library and on April 25, there will be a happy oOps! event at Nuestra Riaces, in Holyoke. A date for South Hadley has not yet been set.

Miranda also runs a kids’ Sunday brunch, during which kids do art with snacks provided.

“Kids love to come and do art,” Miranda said. He said has a group of children that are very consistent. He noticed that they have become more confident and “fluid” in the use of brushes and mixing colors each time they come back.

“[They’re] translating the lesson learned from the book,” Miranda said.

In August, Miranda is planning a kids’ gallery night with six kids who have repeatedly attended oOps! events. Six children from another art teacher who will also be there. Each child will have a small booth to display their work.

Miranda features a local adult artist each month in his studio for two-night gallery event. The artist's exhibit stays up for two weeks afterward.

“It's important to be part of the festivities. It's important to be seen,” Miranda said of the downtown location of his studio on the corner of Exchange St. The studio has been there two years and Miranda said that now that there is a gallery space, local artists are coming out. It helps him connect with new artists in Chicopee.

While Miranda’s art ranges from portraiture to abstract, he said there are some underlying themes.

“My art has some type of social criticism or sparking social commentary,” Miranda said, adding that pop culture motivates him.

“Painting for me is cathartic and can be an exorcism,” Miranda said.

Miranda, who began painting while in law school in Puerto Rico, moved to Chicopee six years ago. He said he is very involved in the community.

Miranda started the Institute of Abilities in connection with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. He said many people with disabilities face challenges in finding a job. Miranda employs them to clean brushes, set up events, and help with customer service.

“It gives them some job skills,” and something to put on a resume, said Miranda.

“Having a background in law can be very helpful,” Miranda said, especially when working with advocacy for people with disabilities.

Miranda said that oOps! recently received a grant from the city of Chicopee to paint all the electrical boxes on Exchange Street. Miranda will be working with three different artists and each box will reflect what Miranda called “Chicopee concepts,” such as, multiculturalism.

“Whenever there is growth of nightlife and urban activity, art goes hand and hand,” said Miranda.