Rivka Willick's Artistic Mission Statements

My Artistic Mission Statement 2008  (Women’s stories)

I am a Folkteller.  I create and rediscover story through my mind and heart, and set it down through my lips.  I create the oral story first by the spoken word and only after many collaborative tellings, --between teller and listeners-- are any of my stories ever committed to paper.  This process is as different from the written-composed story as sculpture is from painting.   Oral stories can communicate in time and space where no other art form can tread.  They can be an expressway from one soul to another.

I am drawn to stories that need to be told, but are often missed.  Why are they missed?  Some stories are too complicated, others too painful.  Sometimes only the details are told while the essence of the story is lost or forgotten.  Women’s stories often are stories that need to be told but are missed. 

Birth stories, maybe the most common of all oral stories, might also be the most forgotten. These are the “origin stories” of every individual and often a defining story for women.  For the past 20 years working as a doula, (professional labor coach), I learned and used many stories in my work.  Now as a teller I celebrate in the rediscovery and telling of these stories.

The transformational tale gives today’s woman a language to explore, hear and tell their stories which are often elusive in other forms.  I create stories using the iconic images of fable and fairy tale to transform complicated or painful experiences into stories that can be heard, absorbed, and treasured.  I also look for women’s traditional tales which have been forgotten or reshaped and I love to share these stories in the 21^st century.

In tribute to my parents, and the many generations before me, I continue the tradition of the oral tale.  My Transformational Tales and Birth Stories are expressions of my love.

My Artistic Mission Statement 2008  (Historic Tellings)

I am a Folkteller.  I create and rediscover story through my mind and heart and set it down through my lips.  I create the oral story first by the spoken word and only after many collaborative tellings, (teller and listeners) are my stories ever committed to paper.  This process is as different from the written-composed story as sculpture is from painting.   Oral stories can communicate where no other art form can tread.  They can be an expressway from one soul to another.

I am drawn to stories that need to be told, but are often missed.  Why are they missed?  Some stories are too complicated, others seem foreign.  Sometimes the details are told and the story is lost or forgotten.  History can come alive and be remembered when told as story.

As a child, I loved history.  Instead of Disney World or the beach, I’d want to go to forts, preserved villages or creepy old inns.  All these wonderful old places boasted memories and lore which fascinated me.  As the stories unfolded I discovered one other universal truth—with history comes pride. When these tales are told a sense of self emerges and that connection to country, state or family becomes tangible. 

It’s great fun to put on a costume, stand in a battlefield or the porch of a 300 year old estate and be the storyteller that remembers so things aren’t forgotten.  I’ve also been granted the great honor of interviewing families and history makers  then retelling their stories at private celebrations.

History and telling are perfect partners.  Mark Twain and Rod Sterling both knew this.  They researched and wove lasting historic works.  In tribute to my children and the many generations which will follow them, I continue the tradition of weaving history with the oral tale.