Meet Veria Williams of ECF Art Center South LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Veria Williams.

Veria Williams is a 72 years old Los Angeles based artist whose studio practice has been supported by the ECF Art Center South LA, part of the Exceptional Children’s Foundation’s (ECF) non-profit organization that provides life-span services for people with developmental, emotional, and intellectual disabilities. ECF Art Center South LA is one of ECF’s four progressive art studios that provide art instruction, studio space, and mentorship for adult artists with developmental disabilities since 1968.

Veria states, “I was born in 1947. That’s my birthday October 1947, and I been here a long time…My mother brought me up in Los Angeles. When I was two years old, I would start drawing, painting…I mean start drawing and doing artwork. I did all kinds of art.” Veria remembers her time in High School and found it difficult to fit in, her family searched for a place where she could feel that sense of belonging. At the time, there weren’t many options for people with developmental disabilities after high school and into adulthood.

They found ECF (Exceptional Children’s Foundation) and knowing Veria’s creative talents her family was excited to learn ECF had an Art Center and got her in. Veria started attending the ECF Art Center in 1972 and currently works out of our South LA studio. At the ECF Art Center Veria found the freedom to express herself and learn different ways to make and create art; she was thriving…making friends, selling her work and even met David Foster at the Art Center who was an artist himself and became her husband.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Veria Williams and David Foster got married in the ECF Art Center. They were inseparable and known as the ECF power couple. In the early 2000’s David passed away, it was hard for Veria but she kept coming to the ECF Art Center because this is where she felt most at home and supported. “Yeah that was pretty hard. I miss my husband though a lot. He was in my heart. I miss him.” She created a life with him through art and was now on her own journey again. Veria’s work ethic has always maintained passionate, “I come here to work, I don’t come here to sleep all day.” She has been making work for over 47 years and is still thriving and learning new things about herself through her art making process.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about ECF Art Center South LA – what should we know?
The ECF Art Centers provide studio space and mentorship for adults with developmental disabilities to develop their career in the arts. We focus on visual arts and provide instruction in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, mixed media, fibers, and digital art. At the ECF Art Centers we strive to provide the most individualized instruction for our Artists. Each Artist has a unique gift and vision. Veria Williams has an extensive art practice and works out of our South LA studio, in the West Adams area. She is most known for her distinct ceramic works. Veria’s ceramic sculptures are tangable, symbols from her life; some works include, cross, bear, Jesus, chicken, the face.

They are carved into existence using only a fork and her thin frail hands. Their rough texture and heavy presentation give the work a sense of power that doesn’t necessarily match Veria’s outward appearance but is a true representation of her inner strength and drive. In the studio Veria is a seasoned artist, knows her path and doesn’t deviate from what she sets out to do until it’s done. She enjoys making and selling her artwork at our annual events and exhibitions and on our website www.artecf.org where she is able to earn an income from the sales of her work.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Veria credits our dedicated staff, “Oh the teachers. Yea. Working…drawing and painting and whatever I can do. They come and see how I’m doing. They check in and see how I’m doing. It’s great. They get me paint, paper all that.” In the studios our art instructor staff meet each artist where they are at meaning, they learn about the artists interests, abilities, and working techniques before jumping right in and giving instruction and developing projects. We are then are able to offer the most support for the artist and maintain their vision in their work. Veria has been making art with the ECF Art Centers for over 47 years and is still learning new techniques and trying new materials. All of our Artists at the ECF Art Centers are grateful for our dedicated staff, and community of support here in LA.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artecf.org
• Email: gallery@ecf.net

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