“She taught me that putting your art out there is like putting a piece of yourself on display and that it’s always good to keep your passion flowing. To me, she was the heart of the school.”
Name: Ajene Williams
Occupation: Artist
Creative Industry: Visual Arts & Crafts
1. Your art teacher at Woodlawn was a huge encouragement for you. Can you tell us a little about how she helped get you involved in to metal arts?
Sloss Furnace used to have a summer youth program for school kids. My teacher signed me up to go, but I didn’t go. I spent that whole summer skateboarding. But when the opportunity came up again, she drove me there herself and forced me to go. She even sat next to me while they interviewed me for the internship. Back then I was pretty shy, so she did most of the talking. She told them how good I was and that I was “like a ninja” and that I was really talented.
Sloss Furnace used to have a summer youth program for school kids. My teacher signed me up to go, but I didn’t go. I spent that whole summer skateboarding. But when the opportunity came up again, she drove me there herself and forced me to go. She even sat next to me while they interviewed me for the internship. Back then I was pretty shy, so she did most of the talking. She told them how good I was and that I was “like a ninja” and that I was really talented.
2. What impact do you think one interested art teacher had on your life?
Well she was unlike any other teacher I had before. She told me things that I still use today. She would give me my own projects to work on with no limit. I would always agree. She gave me confidence to try things I never did before. She made a really big impact on my life. She let me test my limits. She taught me that putting your art out there is like putting a piece of yourself on display and that it’s always good to keep your passion flowing. To me, she was the heart of the school.
Well she was unlike any other teacher I had before. She told me things that I still use today. She would give me my own projects to work on with no limit. I would always agree. She gave me confidence to try things I never did before. She made a really big impact on my life. She let me test my limits. She taught me that putting your art out there is like putting a piece of yourself on display and that it’s always good to keep your passion flowing. To me, she was the heart of the school.
3. We know you did very well at Magic City Arts Connection. Other than selling out of almost everything, what else did you gain from your experience?
Ever since then I’ve been getting so much support. The positive feedback and exposure has been great. I also bought my first truck.
Ever since then I’ve been getting so much support. The positive feedback and exposure has been great. I also bought my first truck.
4. How do you think Birmingham can help support emerging artists?
The city could help by commissioning local artists instead of going across seas and outside of the region. There is so much skill in Birmingham. Every artist needs a shot.
The city could help by commissioning local artists instead of going across seas and outside of the region. There is so much skill in Birmingham. Every artist needs a shot.
5. What’s next for you? What are you working on? What big dreams do you have as an artist?
I’m going to keep working on pieces and continue putting myself out there and casting bigger pieces. My goal is to one day bring life back to Sloss Furnace as if it was still running – creating sculptures of life size people working, turning wheels, riding train cars, tapping the walking on iron, having group discussions, lunch breaks, and doing everyday work. I just think Sloss is so perfect for the stuff those workers went through back then. I think it would fill Sloss with so much life. One day I will be able to work on that.
I’m going to keep working on pieces and continue putting myself out there and casting bigger pieces. My goal is to one day bring life back to Sloss Furnace as if it was still running – creating sculptures of life size people working, turning wheels, riding train cars, tapping the walking on iron, having group discussions, lunch breaks, and doing everyday work. I just think Sloss is so perfect for the stuff those workers went through back then. I think it would fill Sloss with so much life. One day I will be able to work on that.
