Angela Williams Gives to Community Through Art

Angela Williams likes connecting with people through her art. Whether she’s working with young students or a couple attending date nights in the studio, reaching out to others is essential to her creativity.

Williams, who owns Angelic Art Studio, is part of the SMart program in the city of Stone Mountain, created to give the arts a bigger presence in the city while giving artists an opportunity to launch their own businesses. The city leases and furnishes the artists with studio spaces for a limited time, while the artists provide supplies, pay a nominal fee for rent, attend business and art classes and pay the city 30 percent commission on any work sold. 

The art micro-enterprise program is a part of an economic revitalization partnership between DeKalb County and the City of Stone Mountain to attract visitors and tourists to the downtown commercial district. 

A painter and a potter, Williams is currently working to build relationships with local programs to provide creative outlets for special needs children and adults. By helping them channel their creativity and imaginations through clay, students' self esteem and confidence can be enhanced, she said.

Williams has worked with clay for 20 years and for the last 12 has taught classes to kids and adults at the ART Station for programs such as ‘girls night out,’ summer camp and couples ‘date night.’ Students learn to make items such as vases, wind chimes, piggy banks and coasters.

At date night, couples learn the basics of working with clay including how to shape it, mold it, knead air bubbles out, and give a piece texture with carving pens.

Once the piece is complete, couples pick out a color for glazing.

When she’s not with a room full of students, the artist turns to her own studio and commission work such as potraits, signs, murals and ceramic pieces. 

The Illinois native has lived in Stone Mountain for about 10 years.  She enjoys living in the area because of its history, beauty and art community.

“I have been learning about and creating art since I was a little girl. I am passionate about what I do and am dedicated to giving back to young people,” Williams said.

Art Shorts

Date Night Pottery, ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive. July
9, 16, 23. 7 p.m. A little music, a glass of wine, some light hors d'oeuvres and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a date. Participants are introduced to hand building. $79.00 per couple, per class. All supplies are included. Reservations are required.

Cocktails and Clay, July 15, North Town Gallery,
977 Main St. 7 – 9:30 p.m. Play in the clay with instructors Susan Ryles and Angela Williams. All materials, tools, clay, firing and glazes included in price of $39.95 per person.  

“Married Alive!” ART Station, July 20-Aug. 7. A funny and touching new musical that looks in on two married couples, one newlywed and one oldly wed. From babies to empty nests, job stress to domestic bliss, it's fast-paced and acerbic, but always affectionate. Book
and Lyrics by Sean Grennan. Music by Leah Okimoto.