W. James Taylor was born and raised in Knoxville’s Lonsdale Homes Community, and is an award-winning pastel artist. He is a former Mayor-appointed member of the Knoxville Arts Committee (2016-2023), and a former board member of the Fountain City Art Center. His gallery—Geneva Galleries Inc. (named for his mother Geneva)—is in The Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville. Taylor is also an award-winning singer/songwriter. He is among four Black area music creators in Season 2 Episode 4 of Tennessee Theatre’s Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change series now airing on East Tennessee PBS. In 2022, he served as a judge for the 2nd Annual Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent Knoxville competition, after taking first place in the 2021 premier Morning Pointe Foundation Seniors Got Talent Knoxville competition. Every Knoxville First Friday, Taylor serenades visitors to his gallery. Additional information about the MFAC and Taylor may be found at www.genevagalleries.com.