Q+A with Genevieve Williams of GW Contemporary | Laguna Beach, CA

We are thrilled to share the other half the dynamic duo that makes our next pop-up location double down on the good vibes!

Enjoy these Proust inspired questions with Art Advisor Genevieve “Gen” Williams of GW Contemporary and/or come on a lark with us!:

In brevity, how would you describe your upbringing?

I was raised in a close-knit family of four – my parents, my older sister, and me. My dad was an air force pilot when I was born, later becoming a commercial pilot for Qantas, which took us to a rural town just south of Sydney. My parents chose small-town life over the city, giving us the gift of nature, community, and a slower pace.

My mum, a teacher and later a librarian, sparked my love of learning. I spent hours in libraries as a child, poring over National Geographic magazines and encyclopedias. Thanks to my dad’s career, we also traveled widely – I have vivid memories of early trips to Paris, Frankfurt, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

It was a wonderfully balanced childhood: rooted in the simplicity of small-town life, yet expanded by the richness of global travel. My parents gave us opportunities, but just as importantly, they instilled resilience, curiosity, and a strong work ethic.

Is there a moment in your youth that, looking back, inspired you to become immersed in the art world?

I always leaned toward creativity – as a child I loved drawing, reading, and writing, and in high school I thrived in art, English, and history. Still, I never felt I truly belonged in the art world because I wasn’t ā€œgoodā€ at making it. That shifted in my final year with my teacher, Mr. Aldis, who encouraged me to experiment beyond painting and drawing. I created a conceptual video work (an uncommon medium at the time), which earned top marks and was exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Walking into the museum and seeing my work on the wall at 18 was electric. It showed me that belonging in the art world didn’t have to mean being the artist – there were other ways to contribute: to shape, curate, and champion the work of others. The following year, traveling through Europe, from the Tate Modern in London to the museums of Berlin, deepened that realization and led me to pursue a degree in Art History & Theory.

What characteristics would you use to describe your partner Taylor O’Sullivan?

Taylor is a ray of sunshine – generous, kind, hardworking, and endlessly enthusiastic. Her energy is contagious, and she has a beautiful way of seeing the world, both in life and through her lens.

Taylor O’Sullivan & Gen Williams

What makes this partnership work so well?

Taylor is the yin to my yang. We were friends first, which built a strong foundation for working together. We communicate with honesty and transparency, and we share the same eye for detail and commitment to quality. Our values are aligned, our visions are in sync, and we genuinely enjoy sharing the space. We each get to do what we love, but it’s amplified and more joyful because we’re doing it together.

What perspectives or unique understandings have been gained from being immersed in Art?

That art truly is for everyone. It makes us think, it makes us feel, and it challenges us to see differently.

What is it that you most want people to know about collecting art?

The joy of living with art is incomparable. Every piece tells a story and becomes part of your life’s journey. Collecting can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. I started young – the gallery I worked for offered discounts and payment plans, which made collecting accessible. I never imagined owning a $4,000 painting at that age, but soon I had several works – and I was hooked.

I always advise clients to buy what they love, not just what they think will be a good investment. Art should move you, bring you joy, and enrich your daily life.

What is your most treasured artwork?

An Auric Field painting by Lita Albuquerque.

Are you the chef at home?

Not at all! My husband is the phenomenal cook in our household – the pandemic especially became a time of amazing creativity in the kitchen for him.

If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

I admire countless artists and creators, but part of their magic lies in the mystery. Honestly, if I could share one more dinner with anyone, it would be my Nan. I’d love the chance to tell her about all the wonderful things that have happened since she passed. I know she would be so proud of her family.

What is your idea of happiness?

Happiness is both who you spend your time with and how you spend it. For me, it’s the little moments: hearing my daughter’s raucous laugh, walking in nature, singing in the car with my husband, or sharing a meal with friends on a summer night.

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Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on aĀ larkĀ with us!

Read about Taylor O’Sullivan of Culterra on the following BLOG !

Q+A with Taylor O’Sullivan of Culterra | Laguna Beach, CA

Meet Fine Art Photographer (and much more) Taylor O’Sullivan founder of Culterra with whom we’ll be setting our next communal table in the gorgeous etherial art gallery in partnership with Genevieve Willams of GW Contemporary in Laguna Beach.

The beauty of lark is that everyone can easily come along and gain insight + inspiration from all the people we meet along the way! Come with us, on a dive below the surface, with this Proust inspired questionnaire:

In brevity, how would you describe your upbringing?

I was raised in Southern California. As the oldest girl, I was independent, curious, and always eager to understand how things worked. I was always creative and loved being outdoors. I guess not much has changed.

Is there a moment in your youth that, looking back, inspired you to become immersed in the art world?

Looking back, the moment that set everything in motion was when I was 13 and unexpectedly placed in a video production class. I fell in love with it instantly. That early discovery led me to study documentary filmmaking at Chapman University, and from there, my path unfolded. After graduating, I spent over a decade traveling to more than 60 countries, working on films, television, and photography projects. Documentary filmmaking became the vehicle through which I experienced the world — and I always brought a film camera with me. Those years behind the lens shaped how I see, feel, and move through the world. They laid the foundation for the fine art photography I create today.

What makes your partnership with Genevieve Williams of GW Contemporary work?

This partnership works so beautifully because it’s built on deep mutual respect, aligned values, and genuine friendship. Gen is not only an extraordinary curator with an impeccable eye —she’s someone I trust implicitly and love spending time with. We bring different strengths to the table, but share a common vision for creating meaningful, intentional art experiences. Our working rhythm feels effortless and energizing. Whether we’re hanging a show or sharing a late-night laugh, it never feels like work. That sense of ease and joy is what makes this collaboration so special. I feel incredibly grateful to be building something together that feels both creatively fulfilling and truly aligned.

What characteristics would you use to describe Genevieve?

Gen is very bright, she has an incredible eye and she’s funny as hell. She is genuinely such a joy to be around!!

What perspectives have been gained from being immersed in Art?

Art has taught me how to truly see. To notice subtle textures, the way light moves across a surface, the relationship between form and feeling. It has shown me that beauty often lives in the in-between moments, in stillness, and in some cases, in imperfection. Being immersed in art has also deepened my trust in my own intuition. So much of my photography process is about following a feeling rather than a formula. Following an inherent draw. That kind of listening shapes not only how I create but how I move through the world. Art has become my way of slowing down, connecting more deeply with the natural world, and in turn connecting more deeply with myself.

What is it that you most want people to know about collecting art?

Collecting art is deeply personal. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to pay attention to what resonates with you and only you. The best collections aren’t built overnight or based on trends. They’re built slowly, with care, piece by piece. Art has the power to shift the energy of a space, to evoke feeling and reflection. When you find a piece that moves you, trust that. That connection is the whole point.

What is your most treasured possession?

Is it contrived to say my camera??? For real though. My camera has traveled with me through so many stages of life and has shaped the way I see the world. It’s how I observe, how I connect, and how I create art. My camera has helped me slow down and pay attention to the subtle details that often go unnoticed. It feels less like a tool and more like an extension of how I move through the world.

Are you the chef at home?

Absolutely! I love to cook. I’m Italian, so feeding people has always been a love language in my family. Gathering around a meal, sharing stories, and making something from scratch feels like one of the purest forms of love.

If so, what is your most prized ingredient?

Garlic. I truly think the limit does not exist when it comes to garlic.

If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Slim Aarons. An iconic photographer of the 60s and 70s, his work captured that era with a distinct style and an insider’s perspective that never felt invasive. I’d love to hear the stories behind the images and the fascinating lives they portrayed.

What is your idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is presence. Being deeply rooted in the moment, surrounded by beauty, purpose, and people I love. It’s a quiet kind of fulfillment that comes from a life of creation connection, and living with intention.

If you could enjoy another profession, what would it be?

I feel like it would always be something in the arts. That’s always felt like the most natural place for me. I never say never, but it’s hard to imagine a life where I’m not creating, not taking photographs, and not sharing my art with the world. It’s more than a profession, it’s truly the thing I love most in the world.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My grandma. She’s a total powerhouse. In the 1960s, she broke glass ceilings at the LA Times, rising through the ranks at a time when very few women held leadership positions. She traveled all over the world for her work, which was incredibly rare then, and she always did it with grit, style, and integrity. She was the one who first introduced me to the idea of travel and showed me what it means to live a bold, curious, and purpose-driven life. She’s been one of my biggest supporters and cheerleaders, and I have endless love and admiration for her.

Have you watched or read anything interesting/inspiring lately?

I’ve been watching Li Ziqi’s videos. She’s a Chinese creator who documents a meditative, traditional way of life with incredible beauty and care. Whether she’s making tea or preparing food, everything is crafted by hand and rooted in nature. There’s something calming and inspiring about the way she moves through the world. It’s a reminder that slowness can be powerful, and that everyday rituals can become art when done with intention. You must give it a watch: Li Ziqi

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Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us!

Open invite. Limited seats.