Hello,

I am Will Visocan, a multimedia artist based in Missoula, Montana

Will Bates is a gender non-conforming interdisciplinary artist with specialties in painting and sculpture. They will complete a Multidisciplinary Bachelor of Art Degree with emphasis in Studio Art, Art History, and Museum Studies in 2026 and they intend to pursue a masters in Historic Restoration. They were published in the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Capstone Project, Art as Resistance, and participated in a duo exhibit, Bible Bodies, at the University Center Gallery at UM in 2025.

For the last year, Will has been transforming mannequin parts into colorful sculptural scrolls of their childhood with gel image transfers of family photos, exploring the intersection of religion, identity, and the body.

Artist Statement

My purpose is to capture the way memories are felt, not just remembered; the way memories skew and become more complex as I age. Each piece is a reflection of the emotional echo-chamber that I've built to sit with harmful memories and heal from the trauma inflicted on the relationship between my identity and my body. I do this by revisiting a memory repeatedly through journaling, finding a state of rumination within myself time and time again during the creation process. I often include lettering in my work that are bites of repetitive thoughts I’ve had during the rumination process. I use intense color in a very purposeful manner to represent the different emotions brought up in this echo-chamber. Many of my memories are not pleasant, but the photos taken around these memories are simple, almost untainted. The photo tells two stories, the one you see, and the one you feel. Removing the figure from its background, its original context, allows me to reveal the emotional story behind the memory.

Curriculum Vitae

Will Bates Visocan

Missoula, MT Willvisocanart@gmail.com

Education

2026 – Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies, emphasis on Studio Art, and Museum Studies

University of Montana, Missoula MT

2023 – Associate of Arts

University of Montana, Missoula MT

Exhibitions

2025 – Bible Bodies, Two-Person Exhibit

University Center Gallery, University of Montana, Missoula MT

2024 – GA 30th Annual Juried Art Show, Group Exhibit

Gallery of Arts, University of Montana, Missoula MT

2024 – The Missoula Monster Project, Group Exhibit

The Zootwon Arts Community Center, Missoula MT

2018 – First Friday Art Show, Solo Exhibit

Great Falls LGBTQ+ Center, Great Falls MT

Publications

2025 – “Art as Resistance” WGSS Capstone Projects - 2025. https://sites.google.com/view/wgsscapstoneprojects/2025?authuser=0.

Professional Experience

2025-Present – Gallery Attendant

University Center Gallery, University of Montana, Missoula MT

2025-Present – Collections Assistant

Montana Museum of Art and Culture, University of Montana, Missoula MT

2025-Present – Gallery Attendant

Montana Museum of Art and Culture, University of Montana, Missoula MT

2025-Present – College Engagement Committee Volunteer

Montana Museum of Art and Culture, University of Montana, Missoula MT

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