Bookmark. Click to enlarge.

Randy Wicks was an artist of great knowledge and compassion. His wit and warmth charmed local residents for 20 years. This Wicks Memorial Wall, the Wicks Book Collection and the Wicks Cartoon Collection, are gifts in his memory to the people of this community and to the Friends of the Libraries of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Randy Wicks arrived in Santa Clarita from his hometown of Belmond, Iowa, in 1976. His passion for artistic expression in journalism drew him to CalArts, where he graduated in 1980. He was originally hired by Scott and Ruth Newhall and served for 16 years as The Signal's editorial cartoonist.

Wicks' cartoons were also nationally syndicated. He received 19 national and regional awards during his career.

Randy's illustrations reflect how deeply he cared for life, fellow humans and our community. He valued libraries and education, donating his talents and time to local schools and charitable organizations, as well as to the Valencia Library.

This Wicks Memorial Wall is dedicated to the importance of libraries, learning and the use of our imaginations ... in honor of an Iowa farm boy who followed his cartoon dreams.