Renée began volunteering with Paint Memphis (PM) in 2015 + painted her first wall in 2018. She joined the organizational board in 2024, stepping into the role of Director in 2025. The power of human connection + place-making through art has been an enduring and transformative presence in her life. PM has provided a decade of enrichment + extracurricular activities for Renée to revel in during her 20+ years in the Bluff City, her home away from home.

A native to Washington state, she’s lived up + down the west coast, ever-yearning to see, hear and touch the Pacific Ocean. She was raised a garden girl with awe + wonder for all things of the earth and in-process under the sun. From the aesthetic to the mundane, she’s fascinated with the messier details, getting routine satisfaction from a good manicure ruined by painting, dirt digging, and orange-peeling projects. Juice life! She’s interested in both the musings + challenges we face as human beings. As a mom of two teens she’s learned to ask more practical questions like “are you hydrated?” + “do you need any snacks?”

Currently working in clinical research operations at St. Jude Global Pediatric Medicine, she manages a project team of researchers aiming to classify disease outcomes + lifetime burden for people living with sickle cell disease. She has a BA in Communication + Fine Arts from the University of Memphis + has meandered through a wildly fulfilling path of creative, entrepreneurial + liaison roles. The palpable, creative energy across diverse artistic + cultural communities in Memphis has thus far been a joy to behold + engage with. Renée is both excited + humbled for ever-expanding opportunities to collaborate with reciprocity + love in the days to come.

Karen B. Golightly is an assistant professor of English at Christian Brothers University, where she teaches creative writing, Victorian literature, and lots of other courses. She has a PhD in Nineteenth Century British and Irish literature and an MFA in fiction. She founded the organization, so there is no process for selecting her, but she has over six years experience with directing non-profit organizations, ten years of writing grant proposals, and over 20 years of working in fine arts.

Betty Royce graduated from Christian Brother University with a major in English and minor in History. She is currently working on a Masters in Special Education at Christian Brother University. Betty has been working in the community for 10 years but new to Paint Memphis. She is excited about helping to bring great artists to Memphis.

A native Memphis, Vivian has a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Austin Peay State University, a Masters of Science degree (with a concentration in accounting) from the University of Memphis, and she has a Certified Public Accountants' license. In her free time, she spends quality time with her husband, Corey, and son, Dominic. She is eager to serve on the Board of Paint Memphis with such talented and gifted people!

Bella Golightly graduated from the University of Memphis and is a social media manager for local businesses, coordinates and location scouts for film productions in the city, and is now the market coordinator for Paint Memphis. She has been a part of the project from the start, since her mother, the Director, has enlisted her help in visually documenting the event, assisting in distributing materials, and recently she’s been in charge of vendor outreach and organizing the market aspect of Paint Memphis. Check out her & her partner’s booth this year called Curio Creations!

Brandon Simmers is a native Memphian, graduating from the University of Memphis with a Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering. As a Memphis musician, he feels passionate about the arts and is excited to put his technical expertise to use in his Memphis community. He is currently the Associate Software Development Engineer for St. Jude Childrens Hospital located in Memphis Tennessee.

Adarryll Jackson is a local freelance photographer with 15 years of photographic experience! A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, he aims to capture moments that speaks to the hearts and minds of the viewers!.

A traditional/digital artist primarily focused on cartoonish styles. I was born and raised in Memphis. This is my home, and sooner or later, a safe place for Artist to express themselves loudly.

An advocate for underrepresented communities and a champion for innovative education, I currently serve as a Senior Budget Analyst with Memphis Shelby County Schools. I graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Business Administration (concentration in Accounting) and earned my Certified Municipal Finance Officer Certification (CMFO) shortly after. I am also the founder of Plug'd Inc. a mission driven organization that promotes community engagement, through marketing the positive and unique aspects of Memphis from our arts and history to our locally owned businesses. I am excited about the opportunity to bring new creatives to the city and provide more spaces for those that are already here!

Leslie is a lifetime artist - born and raised in Memphis. Having roots in the city of soul fuels her passion for connecting people through art. She is an eclectic artist, always interested in discovering new mediums and always led by a sense of awe and wonderment for things waiting to be found.

As a career Hairstylist (aka, an underpaid therapist) she finds joy in helping her clients feel like the best version of themselves. Leslie is pursuing a degree in Regenerative Organic Agriculture, and is so excited to share her knowledge with the community in order to heal our wounds of food insecurity and isolation.

This is Leslie’s first year involved with Paint Memphis, and is so honored to help showcase how beautiful our city is! You can find her on Instagram @breathndecay to follow her journey.

Memphis based visual artist, Genna Wigginson has been honing her skills throughout her hometown and beyond. Her work is now displayed throughout the country as private investors collect some of her unique pieces.

Genna's passion for art begin in her most early years of life as she recalls the intriguing easels of her very first kindergarten class. She would then go on to study at the well-known and historic Memphis College of Art. In recent years Genna has also lend herself to electrical and structural engineering as she produces technical drawings in architectural design.

Genna’s creativity is known to expanded beyond the surface of the canvas with inspiration from nature, architecture, music, and people. You can expect to see organic methods, textures, and mediums ineach of her pieces. Experiencing her work is to translate it with thy own eyes...

Augustin Kure is an accomplished Art Director at Varsity Spirit, bringing over four years of diverse experience in marketing and design. With a BA in Graphic Design from the University of Memphis, where he was honored with the Dean's Creative Achievement Award, Augustin has built a robust portfolio working with notable nonprofits such as the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Campbell Clinic Foundation, St. Jude, and Youth Villages.

Throughout his career, Augustin has collaborated with Emmy award-winning designers and contributed to small freelance studios, enriching his creative perspective and technical skills. His professional journey reflects a commitment to impactful design and a passion for visual storytelling.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Augustin enjoys playing guitar and spending quality time with his beloved pup, Oliver.

Carlos is a fine artist and muralist. He’s a long-time Paint Memphis artist.

A founding member of Paint Memphis, Bill brings his 25 years of IT/Internet Development work and photography skills. Bill works as a photographer, graphic artists, web designer, audio/video media consultant. He is an avid cyclist, urbexer, and Memphis lover.