James Williamson is a retired architect and professor of architecture. His watercolor paintings explore the genius loci, the sense of place, as captured by the empathetic eye of the artist. He is especially interested in the vernacular architecture, traditional buildings not designed by architects, as seen in the landscapes of Europe and the American South. He works both en plein air and in the studio.

 

Following 30 years of professional practice in his own firm in Memphis, in 2008 he embarked on a second career at the University of Memphis, where he taught design and history as well as watercolor painting before retiring as a full professor of architecture. In 2020 the University held a one-man exhibit of his Italian paintings, which were also featured in Watercolor Artist magazine and the Pennsylvania Gazette, the magazine of the University of Pennsylvania,

 

Williamson is a graduate of Rhodes College and holds two Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a student of architect Louis Kahn. His architectural projects received over 30 design awards at the local, regional, and national levels and saw his work published internationally. In recognition of his achievements in design and education, Williamson was elected to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows (FAIA) in 2005. He is the recipient of the William Strickland Lifetime Achievement Award from AIA Tennessee, the Francis Gassner Award from AIA Memphis, and the AIA Edward S. Frey Award from AIA/ Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art & Architecture. He is the author of several books, including Kahn at Penn and two novels.

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He and his wife divide their time between Memphis and Montreat, NC.