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Venus Williams, renowned tennis star and owner of an interior design firm, recently took on the role of hosting a fundraiser to save Nina Simone's childhood home in North Carolina. Partnering with Pace Gallery, Williams organized a benefit auction and gala to raise funds for the preservation of this historic site.
Being a fan and patron of contemporary art, Venus Williams has partnered up with artist Adam Pendleton to curate an online auction and host a gala in support of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund's initiative to restore Nina Simone's childhood home.
Williams shared pictures of the event on Instagram where she can be seen with artist Adam Pendleton.
"I spent many years praising excellence because that is what classical music is all about. Now it was dedicated to freedom and that was far more important." Williams wrote in her Instagram story.
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Another highlight of the gala was the performance by H.E.R., the Grammy-winning American R&B singer.
"This blew me away. Anyone who knows me knows I'm always at a concert. So so beautiful." Williams in her Instagram story.
Nina Simone, a talented American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist, was born in Tryon, North Carolina in 1933. Despite her aspirations to become a classical concert performer, she faced racism and discrimination throughout her life and career.
She became a prominent figure in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, writing and performing songs of protest and empowerment, such as "Mississippi Goddam". She left the United States in the 1970s and lived in different countries until she settled in France, where she died in 2003.
The auction was conducted by Sotheby's and featured 11 artworks selected by Williams and Pendleton and donated by various artists.
"If I hadn't been an athlete, I would have landed in the arts somehow"- Venus Williams
According to Venus Williams, if she hadn't been an athlete, she would have landed in the arts somehow.
In an interview with PAPERMAG, Williams spoke about her passion for art and design, and how that translated into her involvement with the fine art world. The 42-year-old shared that she went to various art, fashion schools, and interior design schools.
"If I hadn't been an athlete, I would have landed in the arts somehow," Venus Williams said. "It's hard to say what would have happened but that's how it feels in my heart. I went to lots of art schools. I went to fashion school. I went to interior design school. I was always in school."
"In terms of getting involved with the fine art world, I had a lawyer who unfortunately passed, and he was a friend of our family for so long and I asked him how to get involved. His sons are great artists and they started showing me around," she added.
Despite being busy with her athletic career, Williams always found time for learning, revealing during the interview that she had so many art books in her house that she had to move them to her office.
"I have so many art books in my house and have to transfer them to my office because I need more space to hold them," Venus Williams said.
Venus Williams and Father Richard recall one match that 7-time Grand Slam champion "should have won"
