Big Brothers Big Sisters Luncheon 2023: “It Takes Little to Be Big”

Big Brothers Big Sisters Luncheon 2023: “It Takes Little to Be Big”

Last Thursday our Harrisonburg team attended the Big Brothers Big Sisters luncheon, “Bigger Together: A Community Celebration of Mentoring.” It was a wonderful time to meet other leaders in the community and hear from Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) mentors. Speakers shared about their time mentoring youth in the community, and a theme that came through was that mentors were pleasantly surprised to be greatly impacted by the youth that they were paired with. Often, their relationships last past the program with a great respect for each other and a want to continue making meaningful connections. 

Harrisonburg team members at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Luncheon.
Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsorship sign at the luncheon.

A central theme of the luncheon was “It Takes Little to Be Big.” This simple fact was a good reminder and impactful to our team members. The speaker emphasized that it’s often not the grandiose or “big” moments that are impactful, but the seemingly small actions. A high-five, laugh together, 15 minutes supporting studying, cheering each other on, providing a listening ear, and the list goes on. Asha reflected, “I am often surprised to be going about my day and have a little voice of something someone said once go through my head. These small things impact me greatly, sometimes in negative ways, but often in positive ways. Or at least they provide me with a laugh. I was glad to be reminded of all the small things that we do that we may never know positively impact each other.”

It is always a pleasure to support such an incredible organization, and we are so grateful for all that they do to bring the community together and support youth. Consider joining the mentorship program or volunteering in other ways. Remember that you don’t have to commit to doing something huge, because sometimes it only takes a little to be big. To read more about the programs through BBBS, visit: https://www.bbbshr.org/programs/.

2023 Rotary Golf Tournament

2023 Rotary Golf Tournament

‘Tis the season of golf tournaments! On Saturday, Paul participated in the 2023 Rotary Golf Tournament at Heritage Oaks Golf Course to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Charlottesville. It was a beautiful day to compete together and support an amazing organization.

For those that are unfamiliar with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville, their “primary mission… is to provide lodging for the families of pediatric patients while the children are receiving medical treatment at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital. The House offers an affordable, calm, comfortable haven – a home away from home – for its guests. For exhausted parents, who are already stressed by the illness of their child, it is a place where families can relax, eat together, and find support from other parents who are in similar situations.” We thank them for everything that they do.

 

Pictured below from left to right: Mike Wolfe of Simpson Strong-Tie, Paul (Principal of our Charlottesville location), Blake Gordon of Titan America Roanoke Cement Company, Eli Strauss of Strauss Construction.

For more information on the Ronald McDonald House Charlottesville and for ways that you can get involved, check out their website here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mini-Golf for Kids’ Sake 2023

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mini-Golf for Kids’ Sake 2023

This past Friday The Gaines Group team in Harrisonburg had the privilege of supporting the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) through some competitive mini-golf. It was a beautiful afternoon to get out into the sunshine to compete against each other in some (mostly) friendly competition.

Aimee, Deborah, Mariya, Jarod, and Asha at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Mini-Golf fundraiser.

This year our team split into two groups to compete for the lowest combined group score and a group lunch out. Team one, Par Vacation, was led by Interior Designer Jarod, with the dynamic marketing duo Charles and Asha. Team Two was led by Designer Mariya, Architect Deborah and Designer Aimee. Highlights include two hole-in-one’s by Mariya who backed up her smack talk, one hole-in-one by Asha which earned her a free dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme, an embarassing amount of 7-strokes on a hole, and two balls fished out from the water. In the end, though it was close, Team Par Vacation pulled out the win by 5 strokes. 

Jarod puts the ball during mini-golf.

Regardless of the score, we were thrilled to be a part of this event and support such an amazing cause! For more information about BBBS check out what you can do to get involved in your community!

First Friday Artist: Delaney Westwood

First Friday Artist: Delaney Westwood

On Friday, August 4th from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, we are excited to feature artist Delaney Westwood! Delaney is an experimental fluid acrylic artist who brings depth, meaning, & beauty into homes with her beautiful abstract works. She also works as a Real Estate Agent in Harrisonburg and believes that “when designed with intention and presence, custom pieces can transform a space and foster a sense of peace.” We are looking forward to hosting this talented artist, and we invite everyone to visit the event page to RSVP here. Check out her biography below to get to know more about Delaney before the gallery opening.

Artist Delaney Westwood

Bio:

Born & raised in the Shenandoah Valley, Delaney Westwood is a fluid acrylic artist and member at OASIS Fine Art & Craft in downtown Harrisonburg. She considers herself an “experimental” artist because of her deep reverence for the process and passion for exploring new techniques. It is her mission to create inspiring artwork that brings forth a sense of inner knowing akin to the healing transmission of the natural world.

To see more of Delaney’s art and read more about her mission, visit her website @ paradoxflowart.com.

This event is free and open to everyoneSnacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there! See the event page and RSVP here.

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! We will have food and drink available!

Massanutten Technical Center Summer Camp – Architecture

Massanutten Technical Center Summer Camp – Architecture

This summer I taught a class for Massanutten Technical Center Summer Camp in Architecture. This was my third time teaching the course and it was as rewarding as ever.

Massanutten Technical Center

 

One of the greatest gifts I have ever been given in life was finding my passion. I love serving others and it feeds my soul. One of the ways I am able to do this is by sharing my knowledge about architecture with others. I do this in blogs, on social media, lectures, and recently through a week long summer camp at Massanutten Technical Center. I had a class of 11 middle school students that signed up (most of them) or were signed up for my course because architecture sounded interesting. This week was a chance to explore a future career option, flex some design muscles, stretch their comfort zone, and get exposed to the built environment in a new way.

Massanutten Technical Center

The main project I used for this week long course was designing a floorplan. In just 20 hours it is hard to do more than conceptualize a familiar kind of space. We talk about styles of architecture, scale, famous works of architecture, famous architects, color, light, and more. It’s a fun week for me to share something I love – the process of creating design.

The students take on the challenges along the way with a tower building challenge using marshmallows and toothpicks and a bridge challenge using one sheet of paper. We watch a variety of videos on sketching to learn different techniques and talk about how to sculpt space. We investigate room sizes and learn about architectural scales as a way to convey information to others.

Massanutten Technical Center
Massanutten Technical Center

Each day has a new challenge and by the end, each student has a floorplan designed for a family they have imagined. Some of the students get to the point of building a 3D version of their floorplan so they can better see the spaces. This allows them to think about a roof and vertical form of their creation.

Massanutten Technical Center
Massanutten Technical Center
Massanutten Technical Center

Taking on this summer camp while keeping up at work is a challenge each time I have done it. However, it is so worth it to see these students grow. Over just a week, I could see them becoming more confident in their abilities to design and think through spatial design problems. If you have the opportunity to share your passion with others, in a summer camp or just a conversation, I encourage you to take the chance to share.

First Friday Artist: Karen Wangare Leonard

First Friday Artist: Karen Wangare Leonard

On Friday, July 7th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Karen Wangare Leonard! Karen is a talented artist who specializes in mixed media, poetry, and writing. Join us to view her powerful exhibition entitled “How to Live With it” and to enjoy food, refreshments, and community. RSVP for this event on Facebook here.

Below see the statement on accessibility of the event, and Karen shares more about her work and journey as an artist.

Accessibility statement and Content Forecast: 

This gallery showing has themes that may be triggering or uncomfortable to folks. Self harm and violence are a continual theme. You are empowered to take care of yourselves gently as you engage with this work.

When in the gallery and gathering areas, masks are preferred. We want to do our part to protect everyone in the vicinity that are sensitive to the on-going COVID pandemic. Masks will be provided at the door if you do not have any.

There are single person bathrooms available for any gender to use despite the labeled signs on the doors.

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 needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

Portrait of artist Karen Wangare Leonard. She is posed in a bright yellow jacket with blue sunglasses in front of green leaves on a bush.

Bio:

Karen Wangare Leonard is a young, disabled contemporary mixed media artist born in Kenya. Now currently living in perpetual migration, Leonard draws from a deep well of experiences to explore identity and storytelling through her work. In 2017 she suffered a serious arm injury that left her dominant arm disabled, forcing her to work with her other arm until that arm also became disabled from overuse. Determined to keep creating, Leonard’s style adapted to heavily utilizing her feet and mouth to create, abstracting her work and taking after background in visual journaling. She says, “these days I do not use an eraser on my canvas as much as I used to. I am more concerned with making what I can with what I’ve done rather than attempting to correct the past. Art, as it pertains to life, is full of yesterdays. Every line stays. What a terrifyingly incredible thought. How can I face each action in acceptance and opportunity?”

Mixed media painted self portrait of artist Karen Wangare Leonard. Painted on a mirror with fabric draped around the edges.

“How to Live With it” artist statement:

At its core, this is a story about a body that has been maimed beyond complete repair but remains insistent on creating by any means necessary. This is my story and my disabled body figuring out what happened to us, what we did to ourselves, and how we are meant to heal. In 2017 during a mental health crisis I intentionally harmed myself and unintentionally permanently disabled myself, losing the use of my dominant arm. My art teacher gave me a choice: drop AP Art Studio or ‘embrace the shake’ and create with my other arm. She said no one would blame me if I left the class but I knew I wasn’t finished making art. So I stayed. I cultivated an abstract contemporary style that incorporated mixed media and drew from a visual journaling background. Shortly after finishing the school year I gained an overuse injury in my left hand, making both my hands disabled and threatening my ability to make art.

This gallery is my first large public facing work since I started experimenting with utilizing my feet and mouth to create my pieces. I am discovering that working larger is easier on my body than smaller. And I am learning to let go of what my art used to look like in order to make space for what I can do now. Following in the inspiration of Phil Hansen, I embraced my disabilities and cultivated a practice of accepting them instead of fighting against them. Influenced by Wangechi Mutu, Kara Walker, and Akwaeke Emezi, my art primarily focuses on exploring identity through portraiture and storytelling. I understand art only depicts fragments in time and the artist gets to pick what is seen and what is left out but I also know that each fragment is vital in the grand scheme of things. Everything leads us to now.

This is a body that I am finally bringing to the light. The canvas is a welcoming space on which to put my life. A life which I am committed to staying soft in by creating art as opposed to being constricted. I want people to wrestle and engage with themselves as they encounter this resemblance of embodiment. I don’t want to be praised for “overcoming my disability.” I didn’t overcome anything but rather I live with it daily. After years of embarrassment, I’m choosing to take a hammer to the shield of shame that often results from disabilities born of self-harm. While I hope you all are not able to fully understand what this art means, for those who do, this is for us. Lastly, I want everyone to know that I had a life before this disability and I still have a life now that I’m learning to love.

You are invited in. Welcome.

Stay as long as you want. Leave as freely as you must.

See more of Karen’s work on these platforms:

Website: https://www.karenwangareleonard.com/my-story

Instagram: @karenwangareleonard

Bio site featuring numerous links: https://bio.site/k_leonard

This event is free and open to everyoneSnacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there! See the event page and RSVP here.


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! We will have food and drink available!