Will Wickham

 

“I’ve been a wedding photographer and worked in a winery, all to support myself as an artist.”  - Will Wickham

Are there people in any field of the arts who would not have a list of jobs they have worked to support the art that fills their soul and an art that allows them to share their creative beauty?  I would think not!

 My friend, Will Wickham, was recently honored in Times Square as one of the recipients of a grant from “Creatives Rebuild New York” (CRNY) which was a three-year, $125 million initiative that provided guaranteed income and employment opportunities to artists across New York State. 

On the very cold, blustery evening of Wednesday, January 15^th in Times Square, several of the recipients of these grants were honored.  A video of each artist was played on one of the huge screens.  Larger than life each artist told the story of the jobs that supported their art – a photographer, clothing designer, dancer, painter, and weaver.  All were recipients of grants from New York State that supported their art.  And, there was my friend Will Wickham.     https://fb.watch/xfHrlthXl8/

All of us in attendance for the video presentation and speeches were given an “Art Takes Work” winter hat!  We needed the hat to stay warm!  

Take a look at the website, www.ArtTakesWork.com to learn more about support for artists and the campaign partners. 

Living in the Elmira, New York area, Will is an entrepreneurial artist.  His genius of creating art to share with the residents of his surrounding area is exemplary.  Conducting three concerts a season with his Cantata Singers, they present programs of music composed by area composers including his own compositions.  All concerts are free and open to one and all.

In 2008 Will established the “Festival of Women in the Arts” which showcased women artists in the Elmira area including wine makers, fabric artists, poets and writers, presentations of all music genres, jewelry designers and more.  A highlight for me was to have been invited to open the first year’s festival performing my one woman show, “Life! Love! Song! A Visit with Gena Branscombe.”  What a special honor to be part of that community which has blossomed into 17 years of friendships created from that concert.

Composer, conductor, piano tuner, director of plays, playing in pit orchestras and teaching at a local college, Will Wickham is an all-around accomplished, down-to-earth artist well deserving of a grant to further his creative goals.  Job well done, Will!  Congratulations. 

                                            (photo credit: ATW: SiteImages)

#BringingBackBranscombe