Photograph courtesy of Qiana Towns Williams

Buckham Fine Arts Project announces Qiana Towns Williams as its 2025-2026 Writer in Residence.

Buckham Fine Arts Project launched its Writer In Residence project in early 2021 to engage contemporary literary arts and Flint’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community. Buckham is pleased to announce the selection of its sixth Writer in Residence: Qiana Towns Williams. 

"There is much possibility ahead; I am moving forward with curiosity and courage. I’m here to write, rewrite, and be rewritten by the art and artists I encounter at Buckham," said Qiana Towns Williams.
The 2025 - 2026 Writer In Residence (WIR) collaboration invites Qiana Towns Williams to engage with her interest in visual art, grow her creative practice, and gain exposure for her literary arts. While ensuring representation within its programming, Buckham continues to grow deeper ties within Flint’s BIPOC community. Towns Williams’ compositions will be compiled with Buckham Gallery’s exhibition programming in a publication at the season’s end, fall of 2026.
"The Buckham Gallery residency offers me the gift of time and support to think deeply and create freely," said Towns Williams.

As the resident literary artist, Towns Williams will attend Buckham Gallery’s eight exhibitions between October 2025 and September 2026. After absorbing the visual presentations, Towns Williams will create written compositions responding to her experience, as a catalyst for her literary practice. In addition to the residency and honorarium, Towns Williams joins the Buckham Arts Collective with a complimentary Artist Collaborator membership, further strengthening the growing rank of writers in the collective.

"This opportunity fosters growth and engagement between visual and literary arts practices. Having had the pleasure of reading Qiana’s poetry through the submission process, I can share that she manipulates with words the way visual artists use paint and materials to create images with texture and shape. We are overjoyed to work with Qiana for the 2025 - 2026 residency,” said Michele Leclaire, Executive Director.

ABOUT THE RESIDENT WRITER : Qiana Towns Williams

​Qiana Towns Williams is a Flint-based community advocate, educator, public servant, and poet whose work bridges civic engagement, education, and cultural expression. She is a faculty member in the Arts and Letters division at Delta College, where she teaches English and fosters inclusive, student-centered learning. Her leadership extends into nonprofit governance: she is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Directors at the YWCA Greater Flint and a current member of the Board of Directors at the Flint YMCA.

Qiana currently serves as legislative staff in the Michigan Senate. In her role, she manages district operations, engages with constituents, and represents the Senator in collaborative efforts across the district--leading district communication and outreach initiatives.

A lifelong resident of Flint and Genesee County, Qiana has been deeply involved in efforts to support children and families. Her commitment to equity and healing also shines through her art: she is a Cave Canem graduate and author of This Is Not the Exit, with work featured in Harvard Review Online and adapted for film. Through public and non-profit service, education, and writing, Qiana uplifts and empowers her community with conviction and compassion.

"In community, creativity multiplies. I look forward to collaborating with partners to host discussions and workshops that center art and imagination, creating space for dialogue and shared expression," said Towns Williams.

Buckham's 2025 - 2026 Writer In Residence project is sponsored in part by a generous donation by the Mary Elizabeth Adams Manley Beautification Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Thank you!