William Bentley 

Artist | Educator | Creative Director

 

William Bentley is a Bronx-born artist, storyteller, and educator whose work bridges fine art, public engagement, and community-based education. His vibrant, multidisciplinary practice spans painting, illustration, murals, set design, and creative direction, all unified by a mission to connect people through culture, imagination, and narrative.

 

Bentley is the founder of Art With Mr. Bentley and Vaughn Bentley Creative, platforms dedicated to making art education and cultural expression accessible to all. Through these initiatives, he develops creative programs, exhibitions, and partnerships that celebrate heritage, empower communities, and bring art into everyday life. His collaborations include large-scale public art and cultural projects with JFK Airport, the NYC Department of Transportation, and numerous educational and arts institutions across New York City.

 

A cornerstone of Bentley’s artistic vision is his acclaimed series A Traveling Dream, a deeply personal yet universal body of work inspired by his childhood in The Bronx. The series introduces the symbolic “dandelion children”, figures representing resilience, innocence, and the audacity of imagination. Through expressive color and dreamlike imagery, Bentley transforms memories of struggle and hope into reflections on growth, transformation, and creative freedom.

 

Bentley’s background combines artistic mastery and strategic vision. He studied Advertising Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and earned a B.A. in Studio Art from Lehman College, followed by an MBA in Business, completed through a scholarship program with Interise. This blend of art, education, and entrepreneurship continues to shape his mission: to cultivate creative ecosystems that inspire learning, opportunity, and collective empowerment.