"Prelli Anthony
Williams is a Washington, DC native and product of the DC public school
system. As soon as he could hold a pencil, at the age of three (his
family says) he drew on any blank surfaces, brown paper grocery bags, on
back of Polaroid photos, books and walls.
After graduating from Eastern High School (Washington, DC) in 1975, Prelli relocated to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts. Despite financial hardships and struggles of many Black males during that period, Williams managed to stay employed, raise a family and complete college Nine years later, receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1984 with a Major in Advertising and a Minor in Graphic Design.
Prelli, A Art/Mural Director who canvassed the multi-ethnic communities and cultures of Brooklyn, The Bronx, New York City, Staten Island and Queens on three murals in the Bronx and Harlem with the assistance of students and community residents funded in part by local New York City Banking Institutions.
In 1987 Prelli embarked on a relationship with God. Prelli was employed as a freelance graphic designer in New York and New Jersey beginning in 1977 while in college through 1997. Prelli always found time to paint especially when employment was slow.
During the late nineties Prelli tutored at The Jackie Robinson YMCA (Harlem Branch) and two Public Schools in Harlem, NY using the Time/Warner literacy syllabus.
Using his computer skills Prelli became the first ìCybercafÈî Instructor for The Jackie Robinson YMCA (Harlem Branch) in the year 2000.
Prelli become an entrepreneur by combining all his artistic skills acquired from the School of Visual Arts and professional on-hands training learned at companies such as Lillian Vernon Corp, Macyís (Newspaperís Division), and Hanover Direct by Designing Displays, T-shirtís, Newspapers, Banners, Logos, Greeting Cards, Advertisements, and many other creative projects. Prelli also writes poetry. In 1982, Prelliís poem ìWellî was published in (SVAís) WORDS.
In September 2001, the prodigal son turned minister, decided to return to Washington, DC exactly seven days prior to 9/11 to pursue painting as a career.
Prelli became Resident Artist and Curator of the (Former) DC Sanctuary Art Gallery & Performance Space (2002) and a member of the Black Artists of DC, and a member of The Ward 7 Arts Collaborative, Inc. (2006) in Washington, D.C.
In 2004, Minister Williams realized that his life resembled the Bible parable of The Prodigal Son. So naturally, The Prodigal Artist became the theme for his first solo art exhibit at the former DC Sanctuary Art Gallery. This visual autobiographical account consists of original anthropological paintings and text. Minister and artist, Prelli Williams, now mentors Washington DC inner city youth with his artistic skills."
Mr. Williams curated Ms. Afrika Abney's art exhibit that took place from May 31, 2006 - June 28, 2006,at Ellingtons on 8th. Reception, May 31, 2006 from 6-8pm and Closing Reception, June 28, 2006