200: Bruce Becker

Artist & Teacher

Bruce Becker is the artist, designer, and spearhead of the Touch Is Essential project. 

A lifelong artist, Bruce teaches Art at Alvernia University and in his private studio, The Warehouse Studios. TWS was shut down for five months during this time during which he offered Zoom classes in Painting and Figure Drawing to his university students, as well as Zoom Painting classes to his private students. 

For two months, during the most infectious lockdown times, he posted inspirational messages on social media. Each was coupled with an image of one of his paintings. His intention was to help keep people’s spirits up. Eventually his desire to do more for others during the pandemic resulted in the project “Touch Is Essential.”

In addition to honoring 200 essential workers and all the essential workers they represent, “Touch Is Essential” connects people through touch. People encountering the public installation can place their hands directly on and into the impressions left by essential workers.

Delegating and coordinating the collaboration of so many people to produce this work has been a large part of producing this work of art. He is inspired by hearing about how  “everyday people are helping other people every day.” 

Bruce’s wish for the future is that the division we have experienced is healed and our ability to be kind to one another overrides all else.