October 21, 2010|By ROGER CATLIN, rcatlin@courant.com
A defining point for Real Art Ways shortly after Wilkins arrived was sending special invitations to the artists whose performance funds were cut by the National Endowment for the Arts — incuding Tim Miller, Holly Hughes, Karen Finley and John Fleck. Since then, Real Art Ways has continued to stand out in support of artists who may have been shunned or persecuted politically.
"It was important in the age of the NEA fund cuts that people could see these artists for themselves and make up their own mind," Wilkins says. "Certainly, it never made Real Art Ways a target for scorn or derision or protest in the community."
Wilkins, however, will make himself a target willingly at Friday's fundraising roast.
"When you grow up with eight brothers and sisters, one thing you learn is how to take a punch," he says. Besides, "you have to laugh at yourself. If Hartford had a better sense of humor, it would be better than everyone."
The Real Art Ways 35th Anniversary Kickoff Weekend begins today with a Creative Cocktail Hour featuring Marcus Santos and DJ Mal from 6 to 10 p.m. A live broadcast of WNPR's "Where We Live" is scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. Both are at Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St., Hartford.
A Dinner and Roast of Executive Director Will K. Wilkins, benefiting Real Art Ways' educational programs, is Friday at 7 p.m. at the Pond House in Elizabeth Park.
Three art shows open Saturday at Real Art Ways with Olu Oguibe, Saya Woofalk and Cary Smith. A reception is set from 6 to 8 p.m., with performances.
Information on all events: 860-232-1006 or http://www.realartways.org.
