Viola Corley was born on a ranch near Milano in Milam County. She became a regional director of the Texas Fine Arts Association after she moved to Del Rio in 1905.  She was also a member of the Southern States Art League, San Antonio Art League, American Artists Professional League, Corpus Christi Art Foundation and the South Texas Art League.

Her art instructors included Jose Arpa, Dawson Dawson-Watson, Eloise Polk McGill and Harry Anthony De Young.

Her works were exhibited in regional and national exhibitions from the 1930s to the 1960s.  She had over thirty solo exhibitions.  Her works are in the permanent collections of the Texas Federation of Women's Club, Austin; the Abilene Woman's Club, Abilene; and the Val Verde County Library, Del Rio.

She moved to Corpus Christi in 1956 where she continued her active painting career.

Biography from Heritage Auctions