Face Behind the Design: Trevor Jones

Apr 15, 2022

When our firm takes on a project, there are numerous creative minds behind each detail of the design. We recognize the depth of talent and knowledge held in our team and want to celebrate the faces behind our designs. We are carving out space to share a bit more about our team members and how their paths led them to the Gaines Group. To kick off this effort, we are spotlighting Trevor Jones, a team member working in our Charlottesville office.

Since early childhood, Trevor aspired to pursue a career in architecture. This passion led him to complete a Master of Architecture degree from Hampton University in 2015 where he gained a strong foundation in building and architectural design. During his time at Hampton University, he participated in a traveling studio program to France where he learned to sketch the vernacular architecture. Trevor credits this experience with expanding his views and being a catalyst in his pursuit of the “glorious” field of architecture.

Trevor officially joined the Gaines Group in November 2016 and has been shocked by how fast his 5-year tenure has rapidly passed. He truly hit the ground running as he quickly took in stride the learning curves of growing and applying his knowledge of construction administration paperwork, submittals, and relearning the ins and outs of AutoCAD. Once he strengthened these skills, Trevor took the next leap into design work. He supported the team in completing large, multifamily design projects across the Commonwealth and developed a focus on accessible design. Within his growing skillset, he learned how to apply his knowledge in accessibility requirements, buildings codes, and health and safety requirements.

The pandemic provided opportunities for our team in both the Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offices to work more closely on projects as remote work became essential This opened the door for Trevor to learn and support custom home design projects. Although the last few years of the pandemic have felt like a “blur” to many of us, Trevor continues to meditate on his five-year tenure and is grateful for his work experiences, growing relationships with colleagues and clients, learning from great mentors, and his continued love for architecture that will grow for many years to come!

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

Series Name: An Interlude of Water

Medium: Hand-cut Montage

Artist Statement: “An Interlude of Water

The stillness of a hot, lazy summer evening broken by the laughter of good friends as fishies bite and the sun slowly slips towards the horizon.

The pond collection swirls and twirls like the eddies at the shoreline. Developing slowly to capture the quiet aspects of what creatures could quietly inhabit a pond within the Shenandoah landscape.

The past eight months have been a creative frenzy of exploration, joy, and personal contentment, from envisioning a cohesive grouping of collages that share a color palette to letting my imagination play. The resulting collection has stretched my artistic skills and broadened my perception of interpretation and idea development.

My Process:

Each collage starts as a line drawing, creating a detailed map of the imagery to be included within the work. Moving the drawing to the wooden panel entails many bits of hand-cut paper, acrylic mediums, and acid-free paste. A sticky mess, but it so satisfies the need for detail my brain requires. All papers used are colored with acrylic paint applied with painting tools or a Gelli plate. A lot of time is spent pressing (lever press, heavy books, etc) and drying the glued papers before and after mounting on the wooden surface. Acrylic varnish provides a protective sealant for the completed collage. From concept to finished work, the process takes, on average, four weeks.”

Artist Bio: I’ve always been one to dabble in new trends and techniques. Treading water, seeking the thing that would capture and devour my imagination. In 2018, when life was overwhelming and my soul needed an escape, I fell back in love with collage. Over the intervening eight years, my artistic practice has settled into an obsession, forcing a growth in style and technique with results that personally bring me joy. A relocation to Harrisonburg, Virginia, has allowed me to establish a permanent studio space, adding momentum to my artistic journey.

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot!