Sharon Nyree Williams has been recently been appointed by City Council to join the Seattle Arts Commission. Williams currently is the Managing Director for the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas. A Seattle resident for past thirteen years, previously Williams was the manager of budget and operations for Seattle University’s College of Nursing. Over the past ten years she has served as stage manager, research assistant, production assistant and producer for several performing arts organizations in the Seattle area. In 2006, she founded the collaborative arts organization The Mahogany Project. Sharon is also a playwright, filmmaker, solo performer, and producer. She has written and performed in several solo pieces: The American Dream, Homelessness: Driven – Spirited – Broken, Plight: I am my brother’s keeper and Circles of Life. Sharon co-produced the short film What About Us which has been screened at film festivals throughout the U.S. She has also worked as a teaching artist with Freehold Theatre’s Engaged Theatre Program for the Washington Correctional Center for Women.

The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission is comprised of citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. Seven commissioners are appointed by the mayor, seven by the City Council. One additional member is selected by the 14 appointed members, and another commissioner is selected through the YMCA’s “Get Engaged” program, which connects young adults with city boards and commissions.

The next meeting of the Seattle Arts Commission is 4–5:30 p.m on Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2014, in Room 4050-60, Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Avenue. Arts Commission meetings are open to the public and occur every second Tuesday of the month from 4-5:30 p.m. – come welcome our new appointee!