CJ Williams Collection

Charley Williams began collecting over two decades ago. His first pieces came from Jeanine Taylor Folk Art at when the gallery was in Hannibal Square, Winter Park, Florida.

His collection has expanded to include Clementine Hunter, Bernice Sims, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Mary T Smith, Nellie Mae Rowe, Purvis Young, Roy Ferdinand, and J. B. Murray — all creating their visions from a deep and singular drive. While each of these artists started out with little training and limited support, they have either been featured or are now part of permanent collections in institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, New Orleans Museum of Fine Arts, and the Perez Museum of Art.

Charley has lent his collection to exhibitions held at the Mennello Museum of American Art, Crealde School of Art and the Dalton Gallery, Atlanta. Folk Art Magazine (Spring, 2020) profiled his solo collection in the 83-piece show, Power, Myth and Memory in Africana Art. “So many of these artists have captured the longing and sense of pure joy in the everyday life which they have elected to share. Many times the personal stories are equally as engaging as the art. We are richer for these memories”.

​

Description courtesy of Charley Williams, CJ Williams Collection.