Ọmọlará Williams McCallister

Ọmọlará Williams McCallister is a Miami-based artist, born and raised in Atlanta, GA. Ọ’s artistic practice has been shaped by time living in New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, and abroad. Ọ began beloved’s artistic journey at seven years old as a classically trained vocalist and bassist. Williams McCallister studied scenic and costume design at DeKalb School of the Arts, a magnet public high school for the arts. Ọ’s upbringing in the Black South—especially the influence of Black liberation theology—has provided a critical framework for the ideas behind beloved’s work.

Ọ’s earliest craft teachers were ọ’s hair and plant neighbors. Ọ’s craft education is rooted in self-directed experimentation, supported by mentors such as Rose Whitehead (basketry with foraged materials), Louise Wheatley (spinning), Ingrid Schindall and Lisa Haque (papermaking), Bak Henri of Bixa Batik (batik and natural dyeing), the Baltimore Natural Dye Initiative (indigo), Academia Jalon in Málaga (millinery), and countless hours of study through YouTube University (weaving and more).

Williams McCallister is the founding director of the Freedom School for Artists and serves as the Director of Community & Social Impact at the Miami Paper and Printing Museum. Ọ’s work has been supported by institutions including the Baltimore Museum of Art (Baltimore, MD); The Momentary (Bentonville, AR); McColl Center (Charlotte, NC); Currier Museum of Art (Manchester, NH); Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Winterthur, DE); Worcester Art Museum (Worcester, MA); MASS MoCA (North Adams, MA); Green Space Miami (Miami, FL); The Knight Foundation (Miami, FL); and the American Craft Council, among others.