WELLON + FAM
Wellon is a self-taught artist who stumbled upon the creative world of painting. Her artwork is represented in galleries throughout the Southeast, featured in multiple design publications, and collected in the homes of patrons worldwide.
Wellon has a background in English and French (Auburn and Wake Forest Universities), and she taught for several years in the high school and university setting, developing service learning programs in the nonprofit and community-based settings.
Outside of the studio, Wellon serves as the US Director for Mwana Villages, a ministry empowering the vulnerable in the Republic of Congo. Wellon + Stephen have four (playful, creative, determined and spunky) children: Fitz, Chloe, Daniel and Leila. Their beloved furry family members include rescue dogs Weezy and Hero, and her dream-come-true horse, Rosie. The Bridgers reside in Birmingham, Alabama.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Painting has become a means to see Truth all around us, a creative exploration of the challenges + beauty of life, rooted in hope. I return continually to the theme of light in the midst of darkness, building contrasts and complements that speak of both depth and peace.
My prayerful hope is that my work will speak Truth to you when and how you need it.
Click here for gallery representation.
ADVOCACY
Wellon + Stephen learned about the global orphan crisis through their own journey of adoption. When their eyes were opened to the exploitation of vulnerable families, they determined to use their own eye-opening story of an unethical adoption experience to share with others that there is another way. Dignity can be upheld.
When they came to know Mwana Villages and its priority of family reunification and empowering vulnerable women, the Bridgers knew this was the ministry they wanted to be involved with. Now several years later, their two youngest children joined their family from Mwana (Republic of Congo) and Wellon currently serves as the organization's U.S. Director.. You can learn more about their journey to Leila and Daniel in this short documentary by The Archibald Project.
A portion of every art sale is donated to Mwana Villages to support the life-transformative work of the Mwana Refuge.