Kathleen Joy Ballard Peters is a native of Washington D.C. She attended the districts public schools and later studied at Howard University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in design in June 1969, with minors in Art History and Graphics. While attending Howard University she participated in the annual student exhibits for the years 1966, 1967, and 1968. Early in her career she received ceramic and watercolor painting awards. In 1969, the Margaret Dickey Gallery at the D.C. Teachers College had a “Mother-Daughter Show”; an exhibition of the works with mother/teacher/artist, E. Loretta Ballard.

In 1969, Peters moved to Boston, Massachusetts and taught art in the Brookline Public School System for three years. During that time, she also studied at Boston University, obtaining her Master of Fine Arts, in Art Education with a minor in Education. While in Boston Peters was the Co-Director of the Children’s Art Centre. While residing in the Northeast she participated in the DC Art Association Annual Exhibits. Her first major exhibition showing appliques was Three DC.Artist Show, at Smith-Mason Gallery in 1974.

Relocating to Atlanta, Geogia in 1973 Ms.Peters began academic and an art career and became a presence in the visual arts community in the city and throughout the state. She started employment with the University System of Georgia’s Atlanta Metropolitan College (formerly Atlanta Junior College), initially as an Assistant Professor in Art, then an Associate Professor of Art. She was responsible for the Art Department Program and part-time instructors. Her responsibilities included teaching classes in Art Appreciation, Arts and Crafts, Art Structure as well as introductory classes in Drawing, Ceramic and Graphics. Peters designed covers and stationery before Charlotte Witt was hired as graphic technician. She spent 27 years at Atlanta Metropolitan College.

While teaching, she was also served as one of the first members of Fulton County Arts Council. Peters was the coordinator for the National Black Art Festival from 1988-2010. Highlights in K. Joy Peters’ career are numerous. She has held exhibits of her collection of works at the Carlos Museum, Emory University, Douglasville Cultural Arts Center, Hammonds House Galleries, Tallahassee City Hall Art Gallery, Apex Museum, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History and the Afro-American Culture Center, North Carolina. Today she still creates art and is a full-time visual artist.