Imagining a WTA realm without Venus Williams and her astounding legacy is something that seems quite impossible. Apart from her seven Grand Slam titles, her contribution to making equal pay a reality changed the narrative around the sport altogether. However, for Venus Williams herself, she found her calling in interior design even while being active on the court.
Venus Williams manifested her vision into reality when she launched $60 million worth V Starr, an interior design company, in 2002. Since then, she has avidly hoarded artwork from different renowned artists to nourish her ever-growing interest.
Venus Williams on having an alternative career apart from tennis
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Both Venus and Serena Williams have always been interested in the world of art. Be it fashion or design, the two sisters took to their calling. Venus Williams’ love for interior designing goes a long way back which she has made sure to put into practical use too.
In a recent interview with Paper magazine, she elaborated on her love for the interior design. She stated, “If I hadn’t been an athlete, I would have landed in the arts somehow. It’s hard to say what would have happened, but that’s how it feels in my heart.”
To back it up, she attended a lot of art schools. She even went to The Art School of Fort Lauderdale. She stated, “I went to lots of art schools. I went to interior design school. I was always in school.” She owed her association with art to a late dear friend who was her lawyer too. With his guidance, she got into art and now her sons assist her in exploring the art realm. She stated, “I went through a process of diving in. I’m still learning today, but I love being around it.”
However, a firm believer in always learning and growing, Venus Williams is still growing. She stated, “I have so many art books in my house and have to transfer them to my office because I need more space to hold them.”
An ardent supporter of art, Williams has participated in conserving the histories of renowned artists. One such is a female artist Nina Simone’s childhood home.
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A preserver of art legacy
After setting her own legacy in the tennis realm, Venus Williams has taken significant steps in preserving art history.
Recently, she joined hands to raise funds to conserve the childhood home of musical artist Nina Simone. Interestingly. it is the largest project to preserve Afro-American historic sites.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams pays tribute to Roger Federer.
Be it the tennis realm or the artistic one, Venus Williams has always taken proactive measures to raise social issues.