On Feb. 27, 2019, I had the great pleasure of seeing many of you come to Riverland Community College’s Art Gallery to view the portraits that I have made to reflect the true American spirit of our town, our community. The portraits, along with more to be created, will become a book called “Our Austin, Our America” featuring the people of Austin.

I am so very honored to be a part of such an important project with so many generous people.  I would like to thank the town for doing the work that it is doing to make Austin a more inclusive and welcoming place for people from everywhere to raise their families and be the model for other communities to evolve.  I would also like to thank The Hormel Foundation for supporting the town in so many ways including our project, “Our Austin, Our America.”  Austin would not be one of the best cities in the nation to live in if it were not for them.  Their generosity, if followed by other corporate leaders, would help to make our country the greatest it has ever been.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me organize and produce our project, with emphasis on the use of the expression “our project” as it is my intention that it belong to all of us here in Austin.  I am only the hands that have been called to illuminate the power of kindness, generosity and inclusion in a community that has braved to be different in our fearful world where division and exclusion keep so many people in  darkness and anger.  We are all immigrants here.

Let us work together to honor our Country’s motto “E Pluribus Unum”, or “Out of Many, One” to make “Our Austin, Our America” an inspiration for all communities.  I am very proud to be from Austin and proud to have the opportunity to give back to the town and the country that made me who I am.

Many thanks to all of you.

William Taufic

Darien, Connecticut

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The exhibit will be on display for another three weeks in the James Wegner Arts Gallery. If you have a story to tell you’re welcome to get in touch with William Taufic either through phone at 917-969-3560 or email at bill@williamtaufic.com.