Donna Williams’ artistic expressions are now on display at the Appalachian Artisan Center, in Hindman, and the Underground Gallery, in Whitesburg.

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HINDMAN — One of Floyd County’s own local artists is now working out of the Appalachian Artisan center, where her “found stuff” art is currently on exhibit.

Donna Williams’ art is unique to say the least, and has created enough buzz in Eastern Kentucky to earn display space at both the Appalachian Artisan Center, in Hindman, and the Underground Gallery, in Whitesburg.

Williams says art has always been there for her. “There has always been a creative outlet in my life, some form of art.”

Williams says her artistic style currently is concentrated in “found object” sculptures. “Basically I use what I find,” says Williams. “I’m trying really hard not to buy anything.”

Williams’ art literally consists of “stuff,” from doll heads to old jewelry and rusty nails — anything she can find lying around that draws her interest makes its way into the creative process.

“When someone gives me a pile of whatever’s been filling up their junk drawer, it’s like winning the creative lottery,” Williams said.

She says that while in Nashville, an artist mentor opened her eyes to a whole new world of mixed mediums, with painting and sculpting. “It was exactly what I needed.

“When you use what you have, you use your creative brain, you’re forced to look at things in a different way. And when you’re not buying things, you’re not being wasteful. I know that makes me sound like a tree-hugging hippie.”

Williams says she doesn’t classify her art as green art, “but that is a side-effect of the process.”

“You have a pile of stuff, and you think, ‘What can I make out of this?’”

She is currently working on her portfolio, trying to create buzz for her art to get it on display regionally, statewide, and she hopes someday, nationally.

Donna Williams graduated from Prestonsburg High School in 1997. She is the daughter Dean Reid, of Allen, and Donnie Williams, of Pippa Passes. She attended the University of Kentucky.

Williams says she is always looking for more stuff to help her with her creative outlet. Williams can be found most days at her studio in the artisan center.