Grace Williams - Artist Bio

Grace Williams is a painter and muralist whose artwork centers on the stories and joy of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on Black American women. Her work honors their experiences, reclaims space for their voices, and incorporates surreal, whimsical elements that reflect the depth and complexity of their narratives.

Raised by a pastor mother in a family deeply rooted in the traditions of the Black church, Williams’ work explores the complex experiences of Black women on their spiritual journies, reimagining how womanhood and Blackness are represented in spiritual iconography. Her art serves to honor her subjects while also offering healing, validation, and fresh perspective to the viewer.

Originally from the small, rural town of Springfield, Arkansas, Williams currently resides in Durham, North Carolina, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and African and African American Studies at Duke University. As an main tenant of her work in policy reform and community organizing, she believes that art is a powerful tool for restoring justice, joy, and empowerment to historically marginalized communities.