WILLARD MORGAN

Artist Spotlight: Willard Morgan

CREATIVE RENAISSANCE MAN WILLIARD MORGAN

BY ADAM KLUGER

Will, you’ve lived a fascinating life as a performance artist, musician, fashion designer, filmmaker, actor, and patron of the arts. What is the driving force behind this need to create interesting art?

WM: The driving force behind my need to create is primarily due to my background, being born into a artistic and bombastic family. My mother was a gifted opera singer who was a Metropolitan Opera semi-finalist. So when I was born, I came out of the womb into the equivalence of the fantastic musical drag show, that is opera . Suzy, my mom, was constantly singing and always surrounded by fellow theatre artists. My father, on the other hand, was a charming, handsome, rageaholic who most often took center stage. So it was a highly theatrical experience growing up between these two divas! My need to compete and subdue this noisy household led me to develop some formidable skills of my own. Besides being cast as the ‘court jester’ in the family and life early on, at summer camp and at home, I was always juggling and conducting my own imaginary orchestra. Always looking for great cellists to collaborate with! Know any?

What does it mean to live the life of an artist? You’ve traveled from Europe to Cuba and beyond seeking out inspiration. Can a lifestyle be an art form too? surrounded by the artists and the bohemian at every turn. The poet, singer, and painter were championed in our neighborhood, from the White Horse Tavern to the Duplex, Max’s Kansas City, to The Bitter End, Washington Square Park, The Electric Lady Studios, the first Whitney Museum of American Art, The Village in the ’50s and ’60s was a mecca for the arts, compared with Paris in the ‘’20s. I was traveling in Europe at fourteen and fifteen, which was unheard of at the time. I was always the youngest on the tours I was booked on. I went to high school in Lugano, Switzerland, studied in Madrid and Paris, and Dublin. I always had my bag packed and wound up speaking French, Spanish, and Italian to further my art and travels. Japanese still lies within my grasp, I keep telling myself.

What was it like growing up in the Village of the 1960s? How have the New York Art/ theater/music/fashion scenes changed in NYC over the years? Any favorites stories about being a creative soul in NYC?

WM: Everyone wanted to live in the Village and Downtown New York was a constant joy and inspiration for a performer. Every cafe was home to theatre, music, and art. New York of the ’60s & ’70s had endless opportunities to express yourself in countless off-off Broadway theatre dives, cafes, lofts, and in people’s living rooms. I wound up producing on Broadway and Off-Broadway. I still owe the estate of Harold Pinter for royalties on a production of one of his plays. In 1976, while producing on Broadway, street people would be watching from the wings, having wandered backstage from 44th Street. Over the years, of course, these venues disappeared in the wake of gentrification worldwide. It was certainly a lot more fun back then but now we all lead virtual lives. . When not producing music or film, I love performing, either live or live-streaming. I await a return to some of the great rooms I’ve played and aspire to others when Covid subsides.

Ideal Glass Studios is a gorgeous space that has been described as a multi-functional creative space that caters to television and photo-shoots. What’s your vision and mission?

WM: As far as the place and spaces I’ve owned and managed, I’ve always enjoyed collaborating with the circle of talented people I meet and invite to work with me, now more so than ever. Ideal Glass Studios are located on West 8th St. where I’ve created a Victorian parlor, living room, and garden which we call The Mansion as well as a magnificent sky-lit ground floor space, The Atrium. Below, there is a green screen and VR studio known as Fractured Reality created and directed by Mike Mokerson and in The Parlor at present is Mexican designer, Jose Luis Gonzalez’ showroom of couture fashion. We all collaborate on projects such as podcasts, video content, and film production. My goal is to keep producing challenging work, pressing the envelope, and always bringing new talents into our circle of creators. Most recently, the Nigerian poet, dancer, and writer, Taiwo Aloba, whose new book, Surulere, Lagos is now available on Amazon, gave a live-streamed reading and performance here and continues to work with Mike Mokerson on her dance pieces. We’re working with talented local designers and presenting their work in a mall concept. Come by www.idealglassstudios.com

You have a fashion line called Vestiphobia, you’ve chased filmmaker Michael Moore around with your own camera, performed on stage, and dabbled in a variety of mediumshow fun is it to be Will Morgan? What are you most proud of?

WM: My present project is a horror film that takes place in the world of Fashion,. We’ve shot a portion and are now scripting and casting for Spring production. We have pop up clients resurfacing and coming to present in our spaces and productions are done according to the proper PPE protocols. Oh, in respect to my most memorable gig, I recently was a Tommy John underwear model in an advert that rant thousands of times on cable stations. I’m most proud of the artists’ work I’ve presented at Ideal Glass Gallery. Follow me on Instagram as Willard Morgan, Vestiphobia NYC, and Ideal Glass Gallery. Come visit our sites and join us on social media at @ willardmorgan, willardmorgan.com, Instagram & Facebook.