Thaddeus Williams

I’m currently in Hartwell, but I’ve lived in Finneytown and Wyoming since I came here for school and college back in 1982 or ’83. I found my way to the Arts Consortium on Linn Street, and that’s where everything really began for me. Through the Consortium, I met a group called Emosia—seasoned artists whose motto was ‘each one teach one.’ Their mission was to help young artists grow. We spent time painting, running programs, and supporting each other as creatives. It was a big part of the community, and honestly, I hate to see it gone. But it played a huge role in shaping who I am.

That community gave me the confidence to become an art teacher, to organize programs, and to stay engaged with art on a deeper level. One of the photos I shared is from an outdoor event we did a year or two ago—I created a piece for ROMAC (the Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center) to help support the effort to save a building that was being torn down. I also worked on the Black Lives Matter mural with them. ROMAC is more than just an organization—it’s my art family.

There’s nothing like having people around you who inspire you, who show up with passion and talent. Some of them are self-taught, some trained in school, and some have a mix of both—but they all bring something real. You get this huge smile just seeing them thrive. Being around them lifts your spirit.

Over time, when you’ve worked together, shared meals, hung out, created alongside one another—it becomes family. It’s like when someone from that circle randomly pops up, and you’re like, 'My man, good to see you!' There’s a bond, a knowing. You know they’ve got your back.

Being an artist can be hard—it has incredible highs, but it can also be a lonely road. That’s why your art family matters. They help you stay grounded and remind you why you do what you do.