Hi – my name is Kelly and I’m starting this page in support of my dear friend Vikki. Vikki has been part of the Tucson community for over 35 years. She is a UA alumna from the School of Art where she received her MFA in New Genre studies. Her love of video and film was the catalyst for applying for University funding to bring the highly experimental work of video artists from all over the world to Tucson in her summer series “Video Tensions” in the mid-nineties. She has been a long-time advocate of public media and worked at Access Tucson for 16 years. She fought hard year after year to keep this public access television channel funded so that all members of the Tucson community had equal opportunity to have their voices heard. Vikki was instrumental in teaching filming and production skills that allowed individuals to produce their own shows as part of the programming at Access Tucson.

But in the early 2000s, The State of Arizona Legislature, after much lobbying from the Cable Companies, changed the structure of Public Access Television Fees. Access Tucson saw funding diminish each subsequent year. And in 2015 they finally closed their doors, and Vikki lost her dream job. The job that allowed her to put money down on a little house she could call her own. This was the beginning of some challenging times for Vikki – mentally, physically, and financially.

Taking different odd jobs and courses at Pima Community College to find a new career in her 50’s, Vikki struggled as Covid hit, bringing things to a standstill again. And now, just as a way forward is presenting itself, Vikki discovered that all the plumbing pipes outside her house must be replaced. She is currently living without running water and has been presented with a $9-12K estimate for the work. Having not had steady employment for the last few years, Vikki won’t qualify for a line of credit. She could really use our help. Any donation you can afford, no matter how small, will help tremendously to keep Vikki in her home with access to running water again.

Thank you for considering donating to this cause. I assure you it will be the boost Vikki needs right now. Please share with anyone you know that might be able to help.

Much Love,

Kelly L.