Curator, Academy Center of the Arts
When A’Nyeja Adams ’22 first saw her work hanging in the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College, she realized she didn’t just want to make art—she wanted to live it.
A studio art and art history double major, Adams showcased a series of large-scale oil paintings, including several portraits, as part of her senior exhibition.
“Being at the Maier changed my perspective,” she said. “My art wasn’t just confined to my dorm or the studio. It really opened my eyes to the idea that I’m not limited to one space. I can take up more space, and I should take up more space.
“By the time the exhibit was over,” she added, “I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Recently named curator for Academy Center of the Arts, Adams is doing just that.
She began her tenure at the Academy as online curator and art sales manager, spearheading the creation of the nonprofit’s online art sales website.
“At its core, it reflects the values I cultivated at Randolph, ensuring artists have a voice and their work is brought to life in meaningful ways,” Adams said. “My time at Randolph instilled a mindset of innovation and drive.
She’s doing that on an even bigger scale in her new role. Adams curates exhibitions, works directly with artists, and shapes how their work is experienced by the public.
“A’Nyeja was a natural choice to step into this role,” said Michelline Hall ’24 MEd, the Academy’s chief programming officer, praising Adams’ “sharp curatorial eye” and “ability to speak about artwork with clarity and care.”
“She brings a thoughtful, grounded presence to the galleries,” Hall added. “I’ve seen firsthand how she engages with artists of all ages and how deeply she cares about presenting their work with integrity and intention. Her leadership is already shaping the next chapter of visual arts at the Academy, and I couldn’t be more confident in where we’re headed.”
Adams draws on the foundation she built at Randolph—not just her knowledge of materials and mediums, but her ability to speak the language of artists. It’s more than putting art on walls; it’s about building relationships and ensuring every show feels intentional.
“We want artists to know their exhibits mean something to us and that we want to showcase the work in a way that is meaningful to them,” she said.
The art professors at Randolph were a major influence on Adams, pushing her to take risks in her work, and after graduation, connecting her with job opportunities.
“They helped me tremendously with my transition into this job,” Adams said. “Using them as a resource is crucial. Students should never feel ashamed or embarrassed to reach out. That’s exactly what I did.”
Adams still paints, mostly portraiture, and even exhibited her work at the Academy not long after she was hired.
“Art really started my life,” she said. “I tried all the sports and different activities to find my thing. It just never clicked until I started taking art classes in middle school, and I got really serious about it. Art really speaks to a community in a deeper way. You’re putting your story out there on the canvas.
“I really have a conversation with art,” Adams added. “I feel it in a way I’ve never felt anything else.”
