Mayor's Choice Award 2009
At the 2009 Picccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibit in Charleston, in just his third year of exhibiting in the show, Will was awarded the Mayor's Choice Award (Best in Show) for the painting "Always Green". The 24 x 30" oil on canvas painting was chosen by judge Harry DeLorme from over 140 artist's work and thousands of paintings. Mr. DeLorme is an accomplished artist and Senior Curator of Education at the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia. Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley presented the award. The award is a purchase award- the City of Charleston purchased the painting for its permanent collection, and it will hang in Mayor Riley's office for one year.
A very special painting, "Always Green" is an inspired interpretation of Jeremiah 17:7&8.
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit.
Will believes that his talent is a gift from God, and that this painting and the circumstances surrounding this award are a true blessing and clear sign of His will to put this message and image in front of people at this time. He has been humbled by the experience and is very thankful to have been used by the Lord in this way.
