A short studio visit.. This was shot over the summer while preparing for an exhibition @eliridgwaygallery . For a lot us the quarantine offered an opportunity to do some introspection. It did for me. I spent more uninterrupted time in the studio than any time in years. I realized that my work assisting and highlighting other artist is strengthened if my own studio work is healthy. During this time, I was able to complete a body of paintings and finish my film @tellthemwewerehere with my son @keelantw . I realize I had the privilege of being able take this time to focus, I’m grateful.
My son @keelantw and I made a feature length documentary about the art community in the San Francisco Bay Area @tellthemwewerehere . It has won film festival awards and screened around the world.
This film is a love letter to an ethos that thrived in the Bay Area for many years. The artists, musicians, writers in the film are great examples of what made this region so special.
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.🎵Some Other Time by the great @kelleystoltz
#tellthemwewerehere #bayareaartist #bayareaartstogether #balboatheater #vetiverband #vetiverse #griffwilliams
Come join me April 9!
3RD ST CREATIVE ARTERY is thrilled to welcome GRIFF WILLIAMS as the featured speaker for the first installment of our ON-SITE INSIGHTS series. For 32 years Griff’s gallery, @gallery16 , was a vibrant hub of the San Francisco art community, with 20 of those years right on 3RD ST.
Join us to hear more, live—in-person insights, on-site. Griff will be in conversation with HUGH LEEMAN from Roborant Review. @roborantreview
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ON-SITE INSIGHTS // Griff Williams from Gallery 16 in conversation with Hugh Leeman from Roborant Review
Thursday, 04/09/26 6-9pm
On “the viewing deck” in Bldg 12 at Pier 70
Maryland St @ 22nd St (just 2 blocks off 3RD)
Presented by 3RD ST CREATIVE ARTERY @3rdst_sfscreativeartery
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Hugh Leeman is managing editor of Roborant Review @roborantreview and oversees all aspects of the publication. The Roborant Review was started by Hugh and Matt Gonzalez @fmsbw in mid-June of 2025 to offer a diversity of sources in contemporary long-form art writing.
This is my dear mom reading an article about my dad’s legacy in Montana Outlaw Magazine.
“These protected wildlands, among other hard-won conservation victories, are part of the enduring legacy left by one of Montana’s most significant advocates: Pat Williams. The state’s longest-serving congressman, a family man, and a Montanan through and through”
Thanks @mtoutlawmagazine for the remembrance of my dad.
And thanks for putting him with @thejeffbridges , that would have made him happy.
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@bella.butler_
After hearing the heartbreaking news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing. I began to reminisce about my time with him. I was honored to work on his presidential campaign in Montana 1988. Rhonda Lankford who chaired his campaign in Montana enlisted my help. I was a college student and profoundly moved by his “Rainbow Coalition” and the solidarity among all marginalized groups, including Native Americans, Latinos and the poor.
He came to Montana to speak and visit tribal communities on the Salish and Kootenai reservations. We were in need of campaign buttons for the events and the national campaign hadn’t delivered them in time. I hasity drew Jesse and we made buttons at a local printshop. Driving to the reservation, People everywhere, cars lined the road, thousands of Native people and hundreds of white Montanans, many of whom had never before visited the reservation. It was a beautiful, enthusiastic rainbow. Before getting out of the bus, Jesse said. “You can’t take this with a weak heart.”
During that trip called me Brother Griff, a gift I’ve never let go.
Jesse had public challenges and private battles. He was flawed, like us all. But, he was the essential public servant. He made it clear that he was talking about the battle within every soul, including his own. The way he fought his personal battle was by gracing strangers with love and respect. I saw it firsthand, and it still affects my life.
He lost his trailblazing presidential campaigns, but it didn’t matter; for him, working on behalf of all of us was a perpetual state of being.
The images are of the buttons from his 88 campaign and my father Pat Williams with Rev. Jackson at a dinner in Butte Montana.
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@revjjackson@mtdems #jessejackson #revjessejackson @forward_montana
Super proud of @keelantw for the extraordinary short film @pavingthewaymovie . It premiered last night @bigskydocfest . It tells a story how vital skate parks are in creating community, artistic expression and a place of belonging for kids on tribal lands in Montana. @officialament made a beautiful soundtrack for the film. Ivan and Ivy MacDonald and Debra Magpie Earling gave sage advice. It was a beacon of light and positivity in a dark time!
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@whitneyformt@fullglowcreative@ivymacdonald@magpiecap
33 years ago yesterday Feb 5 1993, my dad’s legislation, the Family Medical leave Act (FMLA) was signed into law. It was the first bill Pres.Clinton signed as President. In this clip you can see dad giving impassioned support for the legislation on the floor of the House. The Congress had recently appropriated funding for the Iraq War.
The law, which is still in effect today provides worker protection against being fired for health emergencies. A common refrain from the Right is what helps working people, hurts the economy. Proud of Dad reminding us that making America great might just mean catching up with the rest of the world.
2025 was a rough year. Can’t say I’m sad to see it go. Lost my dear Dad, had to move G16 from our 20 year home and spent a lot of time thinking about what is now, instead of what is next.
