TELL THE WORLD YOUR TRUTH

access feelings and memories he’d never articulated before.

“A lof the that stuff I’ve never talked about. I never talked about my relationship with my Dad. He’s alive and I don’t talk to him. That shit’s hurtful. That was really hard to read out loud. Those things are therapeutic because at the end, when you’re done reading it, you don’t feel weighed down. You felt like you told the world your truth, your pain, your suffering. At the end of the day, that’s all you can do.”

‘The City of Bridges connects everything’

And Will had one more dream in prison, he wanted to bring people together, artists from different mediums and different walks of life. He wanted to get out of those four walls and bring everyone together.

“My goal was to throw an event called “Art is Life” that involved every kind of art,” he said.

Will wears a microphone necklace everyday as a reminder to dedicate himself to his art and the art of his community. When he returned home, he knew he wanted to give back. He started teaching and collaborating with artists younger than him. Eventually, he coordinated open mic nights for poets, musicians, and hip hop artists all over Pittsburgh.

“It’s kind of a Pittsburgh thing; the city of bridges connects everything. When you look at Pittsburgh, it’s a giant circle. That’s what I do. I connect the dots. I connect people together. That’s my gift. I’m satisfi ed knowing I tried. I gave it my all. I’m satisfi ed knowing I provided opportunities and knowledge for others. I may not make it, but I may help the next person succeed in their dreams,” he said.

Will Thompson has hosted music and poetry events at Remedy, Spirit, Sharp Edge, Level Up and other venues in Pittsburgh.

Every bottle is filled with a great story

23rd and Vine is a Retail Wine Shop and Bar. Our wines come from many different wineries throughout the world, ranging from Napa, California to Campania, Italy and are exclusive to our store. Our staff at 23rd and Vine are knowledgeable and can help pick the perfect pairing for your dinner party or point you in the right direction for the glass or bottle of wine you need after a long day. Come sip and shop our wines for home or to enjoy in our space.

2333 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-235-7447 • www.23rdandvine.com Tues-Thurs: 4pm-10pm, Fri: 4pm-11pm Sat: 12pm-11pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm, Monday: Closed