We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vickie Marchand. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vickie below.
Vickie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
The idea for NY2CA emerged during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. My husband, Terry Twigg (known by most as Twigg), and I found ourselves separated by circumstances—he was in Benicia, staying at our Airbnb home, while I remained in Oakland. Twigg, a passionate artist, was struggling to find inspiration while painting in our garage in Oakland. In 2021, we decided to move to Benicia, and Twigg immediately put his name on the waiting list for a studio space at the 940 Tyler Building in the Arsenal. Studio spaces were scarce, but fate had other plans for us.
While out for a walk on First Street in Benicia in 2022, Twigg stumbled upon a property at 617-619 that was for sale. The 1800s building caught our attention, and we decided to purchase it. The process went smoothly, and we embarked on a year-long renovation journey, updating 18 years’ worth of codes, inspections, and permits. Our vision was to convert the structure back into two storefronts: a painting studio for Twigg and a gallery space for showcasing art. The name NY2CA symbolizes our relocation from New York to California, a move that profoundly changed our lives.
Twigg’s passion for painting has been a constant since his grade school days. Using acrylic paints and paint pens, he creates largely abstract works that incorporate organic imagery hidden among swathes of bright color. His paintings often feature strange creatures, inspired by both positive and negative memories. Through meditative states, Twigg explores these ideas, resulting in the vivid visions and images that grace his canvases. He draws influence from the Impressionist movement, particularly from Joseph Turner, the English landscape painter whom Twigg considers the father of modern expressionism.
Twigg’s journey has not been without its challenges. He spent his childhood in Palo Alto, California, before his mother moved him back to Fort Dodge, Iowa, a move he was unhappy about. After her passing due to a battle with alcohol and prescription drugs, Twigg spent four years in Rome, selling his art on the Spanish Steps. He returned to pioneer the Soho art scene in the 70s, co-owning Second Floor Gallery and later opening Wax & Paper with Caroline Faillace, his partner of 30 years, who tragically passed away in 2006 from breast cancer.
As for me, I had always aspired to study Art Therapy in California, but my parents did not support the idea of a creative career. Nevertheless, I pursued creative projects throughout my education and spent countless hours in museums, nurturing my passion for art.
Twigg and I met at a mutual friend’s 60th birthday party in 2011 and maintained a long-distance relationship for several years. In 2014, our visits to California led to the purchase of a home in Oakland. Twigg asked me what I thought about moving to California permanently. With retirement on the horizon, I agreed to retire at 62 if he could make it happen. Our California dream became a reality in September 2016. We lived there part-time while traveling across the country in our RV, visiting all 50 states and 29 National Parks. In 2018, we moved to California with our four cats, RV, a Hertz truck, and Jeep filled to capacity. However, Oakland did not turn out to be the right fit for us.
Twigg’s lifelong experience as an artist made him acutely aware of the challenges artists face in finding opportunities to showcase their work. Our gallery’s concept offers artists a beautiful space to exhibit a body of 2D and/or 3D work for six to seven weeks, providing a fresh and diverse experience for art enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike. The warm welcome we received from the Benicia community and its vibrant art scene has been a blessing, affirming that our endeavor was a worthwhile and impactful one.
Vickie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Vickie Marchand, co-founder of NY2CA Gallery, a vibrant and dynamic art space located in the heart of Benicia, California. My journey into the art world began with a deep-seated passion for creativity and expression, which has been a constant throughout my life. Though my aspirations to study Art Therapy in California were not initially supported by my parents, I continued to pursue creative projects and spent countless hours in museums, nurturing my love for art.
The concept of NY2CA Gallery was born out of a transformative move from New York to California. Eight years ago, my husband, Terry Twigg (known as Twigg), and I decided to relocate, seeking new inspiration and opportunities. The name NY2CA symbolizes this significant transition and the new chapter we embarked upon.
NY2CA Gallery is dedicated to providing a platform for artists to showcase their diverse bodies of work. Every seven weeks, our exhibitions change to feature different 2D and 3D artists or solo exhibitions. This rotating schedule ensures a fresh and exciting experience for our audience, continually introducing them to new mediums and perspectives. Our mission is to offer artists a beautiful and supportive space to exhibit their work, celebrating their creativity and individuality.
What sets NY2CA Gallery apart is our commitment to diversity and the opportunity we provide for artists to present a comprehensive body of work. Unlike many galleries that may only display a few pieces from an artist, we allow artists to fully express their vision and creativity, offering our visitors a deeper and more immersive experience.
Our gallery serves as a bridge between artists and the community, fostering a vibrant and inclusive art scene in Benicia. We believe in the power of art to inspire, provoke thought, and bring people together. By offering a space where artists can freely express themselves, we help solve the problem of limited exhibition opportunities and provide art enthusiasts with a continually evolving and enriching experience.
One of the aspects I am most proud of is the positive impact NY2CA Gallery has had on both the artists we feature and the community we serve. We have received overwhelming support and appreciation from the Benicia art community, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see artists thrive and connect with new audiences through our gallery.
For potential clients, followers, and fans, it’s important to know that NY2CA Gallery is more than just an exhibition space. It’s a place where creativity flourishes, where diverse artistic voices are celebrated, and where the community can come together to appreciate the transformative power of art. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and inspiring environment for everyone who walks through our doors.
At NY2CA, we believe in the importance of storytelling through art and the unique ability of artists to convey powerful messages and emotions. We invite you to join us on this artistic journey, to explore, to be inspired, and to support the incredible talent that graces our gallery.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
On January 4, 2024, my husband Twigg suffered a heart attack. The next day, he underwent double bypass surgery. Initially, his recovery seemed to be progressing well, but by February 15, he began experiencing severe discomfort, irritability, and a distended abdomen. Multiple visits to doctors yielded little help; they attributed his symptoms to constipation or the lingering effects of anesthesia, and they did not pursue further testing.
It wasn’t until I took Twigg to the emergency room on February 22 that we discovered the true severity of his condition—six liters of fluid were drained from his abdominal cavity. This marked the beginning of a devastating journey. Subsequent tests revealed that Twigg had cirrhosis of the liver, a diagnosis initially and mistakenly attributed to alcoholism. Within a week, another trip to the ER saw eight liters of fluid removed, and Twigg was admitted for further testing. After two agonizing weeks, results confirmed he did not have cirrhosis from alcoholism. A specialized procedure in San Francisco finally diagnosed him with stage four pancreatic cancer.
On March 18, at 12:40 am, surrounded by friends at home after six hours and forty minutes of intense pain due to hospice failing to arrive, Twigg passed away. During this incredibly challenging time, the art community and friends rallied around me, keeping the gallery open. Their support was overwhelming—artists assisted each other in installing new shows, and I felt profoundly cared for and loved.
With 619 First Street vacant until June 1, we decided to use the space for Twigg’s Celebration of Life. The event featured his work spanning from the 60s to the present, open to the public. Kent Manske created an interactive printmaking event from his window installation piece entitled, “Benicia Murmurations.” Attendees could take home a print in Twigg’s memory, which included his inspirational message, “Allow Yourself To Soar.” All proceeds from the sale and donations in Twigg’s memory—over $10,000—were donated to Arts Benicia’s youth programming.
The gallery remains open to honor Twigg’s legacy, supporting artists as he always envisioned. Kent Manske’s “Benicia Murmurations” will be installed in NY2CA Gallery, continuing to inspire others with Twigg’s ethos, “Allow Yourself To Soar.”
Twigg and I were blessed with thirteen years together, during which he gave me the wings to live a life worthy of our dreams—owning a gallery admired by all who visit, welcoming children and teens, and fostering a love for art. Twigg is my guiding light as I embark on this new journey. I thank him and Caroline for the life I will continue to live in their honor and memory, with boundless love.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
What has significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy is my 29-year career as an elementary school teacher in diverse settings. I was a passionate teacher who gave 500% to my students—it was not just my career, but my life. Choosing not to have children of my own allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my classroom, where I had 23 to 30 students each year. I spent every day rejuvenating myself so I could be there for them, not just during the 183-day school year but for 365 days a year, planning, creating, and striving to be the best teacher and role model I could be.
My goal was to inspire rather than diminish young minds, to be more than the teachers I had encountered, and to recognize and nurture the potential within each child. Children are our future, and teaching chose me. I am an artist at heart—a creator. Creators are artists, regardless of the societal or self-imposed rules we face. Benicia’s art community has shown me that I am not alone in this belief. The artists here have opened my eyes and heart, deepening my love for art beyond what I ever imagined.
I am uncertain where this journey will take me, but I embrace it each day with gratitude and passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ny2cagallery.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ny2cagallery
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ny2cagallery
Image Credits
Tymn Urban