In 2008, Vanessa Williams completed a Bachelor of Fine Art at Queensland College of Art in Brisbane majoring in Jewelry and Small Objects. Whilst at QCA she was part of a small group who was offered a free weekend stall at the local Southbank Markets. This was an invaluable experience, as she was able to get immediate feedback from her work, and it reinforced the notion of jewelry making as a sustainable career.
After completing her degree in 2009, she successfully applied to the JamFactory’s associate program and made the move to Adelaide, South Australia. She stayed on as a studio tenant in the JamFactory building for two years until setting up her studio at home in 2013.
In 2011, Williams was given an Arts SA Grant for a mentorship with Julie Blyfield, a world renowned contemporary jeweler, which helped to inform much of the work that she is making today. She currently works from her home studio in Adelaide.
