Nov 15th, 2012

LAKE WALES – Janie Howard Wilson Elementary art students met another artist this week when renowned folk artist Ruby C. Williams brought her paintings to the school.

A native of Bealsville, a historic African-American community near Plant City, Williams sells her brightly painted folk art at her roadside fruit and vegetable market. In 2005, her work was showcased in an exhibition at the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture.

Local attorney Robin Gibson donated funds to purchase artwork for the school gallery.

Art teacher Tiffany Weaver has been inviting artists to the school to help students understand how varied the art world can be. Ruby Williams was the third painter to visit, but Weaver also plans to host artists who work with other materials.

In September, Sarasota-based modern painter Alberto Cruz visited to talk about impressionism, abstract and modern styles. Shelly Windham of Shelly Windham Interior Design donated money to purchase a painting, which was unveiled during that lecture.

In October, Haitian artist Patrick Noze conducted a live painting demonstration at the school. Local attorney Jim Weaver sponsored the visit and purchased a Noze painting for the school. Noze donated two additional pieces of art.

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PHOTO #1: Art teacher Tiffany Weaver (background) and folk artist Ruby Williams display paintings during a lecture Thursday (Nov. 15) at Janie Howard Wilson.

PHOTO #2: Art teacher Tiffany Weaver and folk artist Ruby Williams display “Bag Full of Love.”

PHOTO #3: Folk artist Ruby Williams talks about her painting “Bag Full of Love” to students at Janie Howard Wilson Elementary.