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A Special Opportunity to Remember Phil Wiggins at Acoustic Blues

Since its inception in 1993 until his passing in May of this year, Phil Wiggins made an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of musicians and music lovers at Centrum’s Acoustic Blues program. Join Centrum to celebrate Phil’s legacy with a gift to The Phil Wiggins Memorial Fund.

“I am eternally grateful for the experience of Centrum. Being a part of the Centrum Acoustic Blues Workshop changes the trajectory of one’s life path. It is an endless source of inspiration, fueled by a supportive and loving community that never stops giving. It is an encouraging space of growth and most of all an unforgettable experience. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to spend time with and learn alongside like-minded blues lovers. The only thing more valuable than time is education and I was given both. I will be looking into ways to give back to this precious resource. I am so grateful to have had such a life-changing experience.”
Lylie Mae, 2023 Acoustic Blues Fellowship recipient

Phil Wiggins taught and performed at Centrum Acoustic Blues for 26 of the program’s 32 years. Phil was always invited, he just had other things going on a few times. One of the years Phil was not here, someone made buttons that said, “Where’s Phil?”

In 2004, Phil accepted Centrum’s invitation to be the program’s first Artistic Director. Phil’s commitment to preserving and passing down blues heritage and mentoring future generations of aspiring musicians made him the perfect candidate. Phil’s unstinting dedication to blues traditions informed the program’s authentic and welcoming vibe. Phil brought with him the Piedmont music tradition of house parties and community celebrations. For Phil music was an essential part, but only a part of the whole—community celebration was the real stage of operations and music the soundtrack. For Phil music was a lifestyle that wove its way in and out of everyday life, enhancing and enriching it.

The Phil Wiggins Memorial Fund will support Centrum’s commitment to artistic excellence and accessibility by providing Blues Diversity scholarships to students of color, and those with financial need, in Phil Wiggins’ name, and by bringing exceptional teaching artists to provide participants with transformative creative experiences.

Thank you for helping Centrum commemorate Phil Wiggins’ incredible work as a teacher, leader, and artist.

Thanks to a generous leadership gift from Bill Roggensack, the first $7,500 gifts to this fund will be matched!

THANK YOU FOR BEING THE BRIGHT HEART OF CENTRUM!

Together, we can create a place where anyone from anywhere can nurture their
creativity in an environment that is supportive, challenging, and uplifting.

For questions, or to give by phone, please contact Katy Goodman, Senior Director of Development 360-385-3102 x104 or kgoodman@centrum.org

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