MEET THE ARTIST

Born a block from the beach in Southern California into a family that celebrated the arts, Mimi Williams was influenced by contemporary California culture. She attended UC Berkeley and studied art, but graduated in PoliSci. Williams then traveled and worked in Latin America and the West Coast and eventually landed in Olympia, WA where she got a teaching credential at Evergreen State College. Williams has taught for over 30 years, using art as a tool for students to learn a form of expression.

In September, 2018, Williams had a solo exhibit at the Washington Performing Arts Center. A highlight of her art career was an art residency in Oaxaca which led her to curate an exhibit of 25 Oaxacan printmakers in Olympia in June 2018.

THE ART:

“As you can see my work is rather eclectic thematically. Usually my prints are optimistic narratives. I found my own artistic voice in narrative printmaking, because I love its strong graphic quality. My art practice and teaching have connected me deeply with my community.”

HOW THE ART TIES IN WITH MAN OF LA MANCHA AND HARLEQUIN:

“When I read a bit about the themes in Man of La Mancha I noted that imagination is an important element in the face of despair. I have always appreciated Harlequin Productions in Olympia. Live theater gives a rich dimension to life and culture in Olympia. And the stories they tell give a deeper narrative to life beyond headlines and sound bites.”

Welcome, Mimi!