Corey Wiscomb, the current art, guitar building, digital photography, and yoga teacher, as well as the Boys Basketball coach, has been a part of the Orcas community for his entire life. His grandparents first came to Orcas from Chicago and started Orcas Lumber, which is now ACE Hardware, and his family has been on the island ever since. Wiscomb was a student here throughout his school years and was very involved with the high school basketball and football teams. His favorite part of being involved in the small community during high school was the ability to form close friendships with classmates. After high school, Wiscomb went to Colgate University, a liberal arts school in upstate New York. Although the academics were great, he went because he had a chance to play on a Division 1 basketball team. He went to school for four years altogether, but took a year long break. He majored in visual art studio and visual art history, and was one class away from a minor in Asian studies and Religious studies.
Wiscomb demonstrates the magic of art / Photographer: Matia Schwartz
After college, Wiscomb did some traveling and then took a job as a professional martial artist in Indianapolis. He ended up moving back to Orcas after a visit with his parents when he was stunned by the natural beauty of his home, especially in comparison to the flat terrain and corn fields in Indiana. Since he had been teaching martial arts since college, Wiscomb started out as a substitute teacher for the Orcas Island School District, enjoyed it, and was eventually asked to become a teacher at the high school.
Just last year, Wiscomb began teaching as the head coach of the boys basketball team and is starting the upcoming season with great hope and enthusiasm. This year he also began teaching a 7th period AP Studio Art Class that is an independent study. He decided to pursue it because he wants to encourage and help any student in the arts who wants to achieve a higher level. If there is something he can do to keep students making art and getting credit for it, he’s going to help those people make it a reality. The students at Orcas Island High School appreciate having Wiscomb at the school as well as all of his encouragement and assistance in helping students reach their goals.