Some of Jere Williams’ wood sculptures are incredibly detailed. Others are on the minimal side. But they all convey a sense of curiosity.
Company/studio: Williams, previously in Richmond, is based in Savannah as of June 2023. The artist, an Atlanta native, hasn’t settled on a studio location.
Artist: Williams grew up in Atlanta in a family of artists. His father, grandfather and an uncle were architects. Another grandfather was a painter.
Williams’ mother ran her own workroom business making drapes and pillows for decorators and interior designers in Atlanta.
Though being an artist wasn’t discouraged, Williams went off to Babson College to study finance. After graduating with a BS and working in the corporate world, he decided to refocus.
He returned to college, and earned an MA in philosophy and an MFA in sculpture from Georgia State University (GSU).
In 2000, Williams began a teaching career in sculpture, woodworking, art theory, and the philosophy of art at the Atlanta College of Art, Brenau University and GSU.
Since 2005, he has taught in private secondary and middle schools and has worked extensively with non-profit companies on student design projects.
In addition to his day jobs of teaching school and making his art, Williams was a board member with the non-profit Visual Art Center of Richmond for six years.
Art & materials: Primarily wood 3-D sculpture and furniture, including jewelry armoires.
What’s popular:
- Larger wooden box structures ($9,000 to $19,000).
- Rocks on pillows ($2,000 to $3,000)
Favorite tool: Angle grinder
Inspirations: Artists, including: Martin Puryear, Joseph Beuys, James Krenov, Sam Maloof, Robert Rauschenberg and Rene Magritte.
Special commissions: A golf trophy for the Dominion Energy Classic that was renamed the Tom Farrell Memorial Pro/Am in Richmond.
Materials for the 2021 trophy, were Maple (golf ball), Weeping Cherry (the circular form) and Walnut (base with text). The experience challenged him — in a good way — from the initial design proposal through the construction.
Recent awards: Many including:
- Artfields 2022 Exhibition Award. Lake City, SC, 2022
- Arthur Brinkley Grant for Faculty Excellence, Collegiate School, Richmond, VA, 2019.
What’s next: Moving to Savannah in June, to set up a new shop and acclimate to a new school, Savannah Country Day School. Williams and his wife, Sally (a math teacher) will be starting there this fall.
Where to buy: jerewilliams.com
Get social: Instagram: @jerehwilliams
