Thursday, October 10, 2013

Here we go, Thanks to you!!

self injury


Before anymore time passes, I want to say Thank You to everyone who came out to Farrington Place last Friday night. The financial support was enough to assure the exhibit will be completed as scheduled, on film, printed in the darkroom and professionally presented. Also, the moral support and encouragement is and was greatly appreciated. 

I am always afraid that I will leave out an important name when I list people in a thank you. PLEASE, let me know if I do. Nice thing about a blog is that I can always edit my mistakes. 

We had volunteer help from Sarah Andrew and friends, Stephanie Carey, Sally Cohick, Anna Henley, Brian Spies, and Dina Wascher. 

Great music by Kristin VanValin Ivers on piano provided by Robert M. Sides, Zak Johns, Doug McMinn, Mallory Scoppa and The Backwoods Experiment. 

The art auction was a huge success thanks to artists Chad Andrews, Juan Arata, Lynne Becker, Stephanie Carey, Andy Cohick, Sally Cohick, Tommy Grieco, Allison Hirsh, Joan and Stephen Hoff, Ann House and Wendi M. Wilver, Cris Knell, Kim Wachter-Lutz, Vaughn Mallery, Owen Mcdonald, Curt Miller, Tim Miller, Lauren Murray, Sue Nichols, Verra Pfaffli, Roger Shipley, Brian Spies, Deb and Dave Stabley, Terry Wild, and Patti Winters. 

Businesses also jumped in on the auction that include Blair Brothers Goldsmiths, Franco’s Lounge, Liaz Salon and Day Spa, Neville’s Flowers, Red Lobster, Williamsport Symphony Orchestra. 

None of this would have ever happened if Anna Henley and Eric Winters had not come forward in the beginning and said “What can we do?” By offering Farrington Place as a venue and helping with planning we were able to pull this off. Eric’s staff of Lance Falkowski, Richard (Ski) Falkowski, Nikki Murray, Lee Sauers, Merek Hronowski, Andrea McEntire and Steve Bailey provided the hospitality and ran their butts off serving everyone there. At the end of the night they handed us the tip jar with their thanks and support of our efforts. They are a great group of very committed people. 

The food and drink was awesome and again, Farrington Place had a part in it along with Chef Hosch and Ann, Riepstine’s Pub along with the cake by Jessica Welch. 

So, up next . . . we hit the ground running and shot another pose last Sunday. Our new order of film came yesterday and we will have at least one shoot this coming weekend. I have also ordered some sample papers to test before I choose the final look. I’m scouring eBay for an easel that will let me print 16x20 inch prints properly and we have some props to track down. 

Shooting will be done before Thanksgiving and then I will become a mushroom and live in the darkroom til spring.

We have the gallery booked in the Pajama Factory for next April and will do a preview before the exhibit heads to Harrisburg in May.

Out of all the Thank Yous I have to give, the most important ones go to all of you who have poured out your support to what we are doing. It seems like every time I discuss the project I meet someone who is personally touched by the subjects. I am proud of them for  sharing and I am proud to give a voice to the struggles that most of us have shared.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

It all adds up.

journaling


It’s been a month of planning for the October 4th fundraiser but it promises to be worth it. The Facebook event is HERE. But wait, before you go off to read about that I need a minute of your time.

As much fun as the event is going to be, it’s coming with a price tag. We aren’t selling tickets in advance or charging a cover charge. It will be a chance to create awareness of our project and generate donations from new supporters. So, how are we doing it?

 We have received generous support from Chef Hosch and Ann catering, Riepstine’s Pub and Farrington Place to make this all happen. We still have some bills to pay though.

Here is what I offer. To those of you who chip in a couple bucks towards our bills I will have a gift waiting at the door for you on the 4th. (Spoiler alert: it will be something photographic.)

It doesn’t have to be a lot. A couple bucks here and there will bring it all together. And to make it easier, I have set up a PayPal button that lets you donate right now. Give it a test drive and see how easy it is to send us money.



Seriously though, thank you to everyone who has shown so much support to our project. It really makes it easier to keep at it. I can’t wait til the fundraising part is over and we can concentrate all our efforts on the project knowing the budget has been met.

Ralph


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Here is a link to a new booklet we have put together that wraps up all the information about STAY in one spot. Barb Andreassen volunteered an entire afternoon to giving it the clean professional look it needed. Many thanks, Barb.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

With the help of Robert M. Sides Music we will be graced by Kristin VanValin Ivers on piano during the art auction on October 4th at Farrington Place. I also want to thank Backwoods Experiment for sharing our event on Facebook. If you are on Facebook, please share the event and invite your friends. We really appreciate the support. Thanks

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Putting the FUN in Fundraising

Stay from Ralph Wilson on Vimeo.


Here is the video we produced for a Kickstarter campaign. Although we did not meet our goal we did not loose our determination to complete the project. We are planning an evening of art and entertainment at Farrington Place, a classy new venue in Williamsport, to raise funds to meet our budget.
The owner, Eric Winters, is extremely committed to the message of our exhibit and is incredibly generous by opening his facility on October 4, 2013. Not only is he providing the space, he is providing so many things we would take for granted at an event. Tables, chairs, linen, glassware, a licensed bartender, insurance, utilities. . . It's easy to see how incredible it is to have all this handed to us.
Entertainment will begin with piano music provided by Robert M. Sides during a silent art auction from 5 to 7pm. It will be followed by an open mic session with performances by Mallory Scoppa, Doug McMinn and others. Backwoods Experiment will close out the evening playing until 11pm.
We are hammering out the details of the food and beverage providers but you won't go away thirsty or hungry.
The best part is . . .  you decide how much it's all worth by donating to the project. No advanced tickets, no cover charge, it's FREE. Let your conscience be your guide. Take it all in and consider how important the message is to be put on the public radar.
Check back as the plans are finalized. Can't wait to see you there.



You may also make tax deductible contributions to the Pajama Factory Center for Creativity earmarked for Stay.
Mail your check to:
Center for Creativity
1307 Park Ave, Box 12
Williamsport, PA 17701

Thanks
Ralph

Friday, July 26, 2013

I want to give a huge thank you to Mark and Susie Winkelman, The Pajama Factory and the Pajama Factory Center for Creativity. Without their help this project would not be possible. They ran a great write-up about the project in their newsletter this month. Check it out. http://www.pajamafactory.net/e/2013/jul_nl_web.html

Thursday, July 25, 2013


Fundraising does not come easy for me but I do it because I feel a commitment to the Stay project.
This is an excerpt from Andrew Cohick’s journal. The goal of the Stay project is to let people know they are not alone and it’s ok to feel bad. Talk to someone about it. There is help.
We need your help so others don’t find these secrets later. Please consider supporting our project financially.
 



Andrew passed away after his suicide at 24 year old. He is just one of the voices of the Stay project.



Tuesday, July 16, 2013


Stay - Ralph Wilson Photography
 
Things are moving along with the Stay project. We have been making wardrobe choices and hadn’t thought it would be so hard to find the right look. We have it narrowed down but would be happy to hear and suggestions.
 
The image above was taken while trying to show different ways to depict self-loathing.

The Kickstarter is doing its thing but could use some help with people spreading the word. Three of us met this morning to start work on other fundraising ideas.
 
Please share this link with all your friends and ask them to do the same. We appreciate your help.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

It's has been awhile coming but the Kickstarter campaign has begun. We have already received some generous donations and heard from people who want to share their stories in written word. Thank you all so much.
A couple other sources of support have come forward and I will be following up next week.
It's wonderful to get the emails offering support and thanks for participating in a conversation that is long overdue.

I hope you can lend a hand. Thanks.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/691730222/stay-a-journey-from-desperation-to-hope?ref=home_location

Friday, May 31, 2013

The STAY exhibit is a series of fine art photographic portraits and contributed writings. It will take the viewer through causes of childhood depression, it manifestations and a journey to healing. It is a travelogue into, and back out of, the darkness felt by many who are struggling. It is not a summary of statistics or resources, it is meant to address the emotional toll of depression.
The message we are attempting to convey is that depression needs to be recognized as an illness and that there are others who understand how difficult life can be while coping with it.
The story does not have a “happily ever after” ending; it ends with an acceptance of life as it is, and a hope for better days ahead.

Contributions for the written word are welcome. Please message us if you would like to participate. stayexhibit(at)gmail.