On display: March 13, 2026 – April 19, 2026
ARTfactory, Historic Manassas, VA
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 6–8 PM
Exhibition programming sponsored by UVA Health.
Historic Manassas, VA — Mixed-media collage artist Auguster Williams presents, a compelling body of two- and three-dimensional works created from discarded and salvaged materials. Drawing from wood, glass, cardboard, metal, plastic, and textiles—often recovered from dumpsters or curbside castoffs, the exhibition explores themes of resilience, healing, and transformation through richly layered, evocative compositions.
Rooted in sustainability and personal renewal, Auguster Williams’s practice reimagines overlooked materials into cohesive works that blur the boundaries between fine art and functional design. Mirrors, room dividers, connectors, and windmills appear alongside wall-based collages, challenging traditional notions of utility while emphasizing the poetic potential of reuse.
The artist’s creative journey began in 2017 while participating in art therapy through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ substance abuse and mental health program. A U.S. Navy veteran living with PTSD, Williams discovered art as both a therapeutic outlet and a powerful form of self-expression. In 2018, the collage Love (Thyself) and Resilience received First Place in its category at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival—an achievement that marked a pivotal moment and solidified a lifelong commitment to artistic practice.
Since then, Williams has exhibited work in Washington, D.C. and New York, continuing to expand a portfolio that centers on repurposing—not only of physical materials, but of personal identity. Often describing themselves as a “repurposed human being,” the artist transforms what was once discarded into objects of meaning and beauty, offering a broader reflection on recovery and the resilience of the human spirit.
Williams’s solo exhibit ultimately encourages audiences to recognize beauty in the unexpected and to consider creative engagement as a powerful path toward wellness, connection, and community.
Artist Bio
Auguster D. Williams Jr. is a mixed-media collage artist based in Washington, D.C., originally from Buffalo, New York. A U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Cold War era of the 1980s, Williams later found himself immersed in the energy of the booming hip-hop scene of the 1990s. While his early life reflected outward success, the long-term effects of untreated PTSD eventually led him to seek help through the Veterans Administration.
It was there, in 2017, that he was introduced to art therapy—a turning point that would reconnect him with a sense of purpose and creative expression. His artistic practice is not only a creative pursuit but also a vital tool in his continued journey toward healing and well-being.
Press Inquiries:
Jordan Exum, Gallery Director
ARTfactory | Caton Merchant Gallery
703.330.2787 | [email protected]
https://virginiaartfactory.org/
