News
Ucross Announces New Leadership
Ucross, the prestigious artist residency program in northern Wyoming, ushered in a new era of leadership this month. On April 1, William (Bill) Belcher took the helm as president, and he has appointed Vickie Abbott as managing director. Ensuring a smooth transition, former Ucross president Sharon Dynak will continue with the organization part-time as a creative advisor.
Dynak has been at Ucross for 25 years. “Its been a wonderful adventure,” she said in an interview. “I came here to work in support of artists like I worked for writers in New York.”
Born and raised in Detroit, she attended the Michigian State and moved to New York to work in publishing, working for Scribner’s Publishing in Manhatten. “When I first started working for them, I worked in the Scribner building at 5th avenue and 48 street, which is now a designated historic landmark in New York. I worked at Ucross and the ranch complex is on the National Registry of Historic Places.”
The Scribner company has published such notables as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Stephen King and Edna Ann Proulx, author of the The Shipping News. It was through Proulx that Dynak came to Ucross. “I met her when I was working for Scribner’s. She had been to the Ucross Foundation; in fact, she wrote some of The Shipping News while she was there. She was also on the board of trustees.”
Dynak said about Ucross, “I feel so honored to support the artists who come here and help provide them this experience. I love to share the natural landscape, and the vistas. Living here in Ucross I have become very in tune with nature and the birds and the wildlife and the changing seasons. I love sharing the artists experiencing with the community members who come to the exhibits and the programs. It is a very fulfilling experience.”
Over the years the number of residences has increased from four, then to 8, and currently at 10. “The artists feel 10 is a good number, it allows for them to get to know each other.” She said that many keep in touch with the Ucross staff and each other after their residency time is over.
She added that the artists come from all over the world, and many from urban environments. “It is fun to help them understand the rural lifestyle. Artists feel that here they connect with nature, and many say it is a magical experience.”
Bill Belcher has dedicated his career to working with cultural organizations that support artists and the creation of new work. He served as Ucross’s director of development and external relations for four years and brings more than 20 years of experience in art administration with high-level positions in development.
Prior to Ucross, Belcher served as director of development at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) and director of external affairs at The Hyde Collection. As a consultant, he helped dozens of arts organizations with strategic planning, campaign planning, grant writing, fundraising, institutional messaging and board development.
His clients have included the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Skidmore College, Collar Works (Elizabeth Murray Artist Residency Program) and others. He has served on the boards of Caffe Lena, a historic folk music venue, and Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts and Education, a community art center. Belcher is also a published novelist whose debut novel, Lay Down Your Weary Tune, was released by Other Press in 2016.
Belcher said it was a shock to learn the Dynak was retiring. “Over the last four years, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Sharon and the Ucross team, and of course, I’ve had the honor of working with so many amazing Ucross artists,” Belcher said. “It’s a special place, and I’m honored to take on this leadership role at such an important and exciting time in the organization’s history.”
Belcher grew up in Massachusetts but has lived for the past 20 years in upstate New York. “I have worked for Ucross remotely, but now I will be moving to Ucross full time.” He added that there is no time line. He will live in the president’s house where Dynak now lives.
He said that continuity is first and foremost, “There is something special about Ucross, and I want to maintain that moving forward, but also find new ways to interact with the artists.” he said that he may make some changes in the future. One plan is to renovate the galley to be a resource for artists but also for community programs and artists exhibitions.
He added that the Raymond Plank center is going to be redone and he is hoping to create a library and an archives for artists and their experiences at Ucross in the center.
“We are deeply connected to the land and a sense of place here at Ucross,” Belcher said. “We are always working on integrating the land with the artist’s experience.”
“Before Covid, the residents would meet with the rancher and he would take them on a tour of the land and ranching operation as a part of the initiation of the residency. This fall we hope to bring this back so the artists get an idea of what goes into ranching and raising the food we eat.”
Although Belcher is still working remotely, he will be at the ranch periodically while the change of leadership is being accomplished.
To oversee the day-to-day operations of the Ucross ranch, Belcher has appointed Vickie Abbott as the managing director. A longtime friend of the organization, Abbott managed the neighboring guest ranch, the Ranch at Ucross, for the past 14 years with her husband, Eric Wilhelm.
Previously, Abbott taught in public schools for 22 years — including a stint in Western Australia. She also served on the board of the Park County Arts Council to bring the arts to rural Wyoming schools.
“Born and raised on a Wyoming ranch and having spent most of my life living and working in rural Wyoming, I’ve come to value the solace and the simple and clear thinking that come from spending time in wide open spaces,” Abbott said. “I’m looking forward to combining my skills and passions and sharing this wild, fragile vastness of the west with the artists who will spend time on our Wyoming ranch.”
Over the past three months, Belcher and Abbott worked closely with the former Ucross president, Sharon Dynak, to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. After 26 years with Ucross, Dynak is retiring at the end of 2022. In her position as creative advisor, Dynak aims to support Belcher, Abbott and the staff.
“Sharon left some big shoes to fill,” Belcher said. “We thank Sharon for her many years of leadership, her dedication, and her vision. Her leadership was inspiring, and we’re grateful that she’ll continue to serve Ucross as creative advisor,” Belcher said. “Also, I want to welcome Vickie, and I look forward to working with her and the staff to ensure Ucross’s continued success.”
