Fantastic story in the about New England Tech Graphics instructor, William “Bill” Culbertson. Bill has had a very creative and eclectic聽career.聽 Congratulations! Bill on winning start up funds through Direct Capital’s national “Small Biz, Big Success” award competition. We are very fortunate to have such a diverse faculty member.
William Culbertson holds “Derb” a character he created for a childrens television program. Behind him are the other puppets that he created for the show. Culbertson’s media entertainment company, “Whooplah,” recently won a national competition for a video he produced explaining his program. (Valley Breeze photo by David Wuerth)
NORTH SMITHFIELD – Call it an occupational hazard.
In William Culbertson’s century-old home on Warren Avenue in North Smithfield, you’ll find a complete room dedicated to his collection of Disney paraphernalia, with his favorite characters lined up along shelves, sitting on the television stand, and even painted on the walls.
In the basement, four 3-foot-by-4-foot clay models depict Kermit the Frog and other scenes from Jim Henson’s early work.
Four giant handmade puppets sit upon a piano in the living room, while dozens of Culbertson’s sculptures grace the home’s shelves and ledges.
His back yard, until recently, was filled with Styrofoam and other materials that could come in handy for building a set.
Culbertson has made a lifelong career out of creating and replicating artwork, including both the sculptures and designs that you typically find in parks and town squares, and the more colorful scenes and characters that make up childhood fantasies.
“As a freelancer, you can’t just focus on one area,” Culbertson said. “In order to keep success, keep the phone ringing and keep the money flowing, you have to do several things.”
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