by Charles Hendricks | Jul 3, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
First Friday Art Opening – Greg Versen – Southwest Visions
July 6, 2018, 5pm – 8pm
Gaines Group Architects @ The Depot
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 and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
Bryce Natural Bridge
Artist Biography
Greg Versen was born and reared in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He received a BA in Sociology from Mississippi College, Clinton and an MSSW from the University of Tennessee School of Social Work. After serving four years as a Captain in the Army Medical Services Corps, with tours of duty at Fort Riley, Kansas, and 97th General Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany, he taught in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Mississippi University for Women, Columbus for five and a half years before moving to the BSW program, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. He retired from JMU as Professor Emeritus after 25 years and continues to live in Harrisonburg. He also developed and hosted Blues Valley on public radio WMRA for 32 years.
Versen is an award-winning photographer and has been an active photographer for more than 50 years. He has attended workshops at the Maine Photographic Workshop, Rockport, and the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, Missoula, Montana. In 2003 he switched from film to digital photography and uses Nikon cameras and uses a Canon printer with archival inks.
Among Versen’s photographic interests are architecture, travel and landscapes. He enjoys putting together programs that provide education and information with complementary imagery.
by Charles Hendricks | Jun 10, 2018 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary
Each year, the Rockingham Rotary Club sponsors the Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby to bring science, technology, and math lessons to young racers ranging in ages from 7 – 21.
The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The core values learned from this event include: leadership, family engagement, honesty, integrity, perseverance, innovation, entrepreneurship, teamwork, collaboration, and sportsmanship.
There are three classes of racers: stock, super stock, and masters. The winners of each division from Harrisonburg will have the opportunity to move on to Akron, Ohio. Soap Box Derby champions from around the world come together in Akron each year to compete in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship at the world-famous Derby Downs Track.
The day of the race, set up started at 5 am with a few dedicated Rotarians and friends.
The Adult Soap Box Cars are ready for the celebrity race.
Race day t-shirts are handed out with sponsors on the back. We rely heavily on sponsors to make this event financially viable.
Matt starts the race day safety meeting with drivers. We work hard to make sure everyone has fun, but most important is safety.
The parade of drivers to their cars.
Drivers ready for the race day picture with all the cars lined up in the pit.
This year we added a Super Kids race so that kids that cannot drive a car can partner with another driver to race. Our Super Kids sponsor, Harmony Square Dairy Queen will help make it possible for our champion to travel to Akron.
Our track has a curve making it unique. Most Soap Box Derby tracks are straight.
Sophie in the CW Flyer sponsored by Herr & Co. Suter Engineering, and Gaines Group Architects (dad).
Of course Sophie’s car is #girlpowered
On the ramps ready to race.
We added a banner at the start finish line to highlight our sponsors.
Heading down the hill. Our Rotary Club supports Boys and Girls Club by providing cars.
The kids support one another and help everyone have a great time.
Everyone has a great time! I mean everyone, even the out of shape volunteers.
The finish line: the goal to get there first for each driver, but if you do it is simply the start of something else. The kids showed incredible sportsmanship that day. Each encouraged the other to do even better. This is why we do it. This is the heart of Rotary Club of Rockingham County (Virginia) This is service above self.
Time for the trophy ceremony.
Sportsmanship Award
First Place in the Super Kids Race
First Place in Super Stock
Second Place in Super Stock
Third Place in Super Stock
Fourth Place in Super Stock
Fifth Place in Super Stock
Seventh Place in Super Stock
First Place in Stock
Second Place in Stock
Third Place in Stock
Fourth Place in Stock
Fifth Place in Stock
Sixth Place in Stock
Seventh Place in Stock
Eighth Place in Stock
by Charles Hendricks | May 28, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
When:
Downtown Harrisonburg’s First Friday – June 1, 2018, 5 pm – 8 pm
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 and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
Artist Statement:
Hi, I’m Joey Laughlin. I’m an architect by training and enjoy drawing and painting on the side. I began water-coloring a couple years ago to explore the dynamic of place through more than just a sketch. I enjoy the somewhat messy and unspecific process of water-color and particularly appreciate it as a lens to learn from and soak in qualities of space.
Name of Show: Memory and Place
Each place is unique in quality and atmosphere. Even the same space exhibits different qualities when experienced over time or by different people. This show looks to explore the connection between memory and place through the use of ink and color. As a process, ink is applied with varying levels of specificity. Some lines have significant wiggle to them, while others are more specific. Following the ink, water and color are then applied with varying ranges of hue and saturation. Some pieces exhibit a single wash of color, while others boast a variety. Additionally, most pieces are also paired with an associated color study, which serves to explore the range of hues best representative of the place. As a collection, these works are used as a lens through which to observe, learn about, and remember uniqueness of place.
Type of Medium: Watercolor and Ink on Paper
Joey Laughlin’s artwork will be on display throughout the month of June.
View past gallery artists here:
May – Ellen Vanover
April – Aaron Zook
by Charles Hendricks | May 18, 2018 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Empathy, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary, team
Get your Rotary / On the Road Collaborative t-shirts, they are now available for $20. Let me know how many you want!
“I want to make a difference in the world.”
If you have ever said this but feel like you are limited as to what you can do, maybe you should change your perspective. One person might not be able to change the world, but you can change the world for one person. Hopefully you will decide to change their world for the better. It may be a simple smile but even better if it is an outstretched hand of hope and love.
I believe it is our duty to each day work to serve others. This is my “Why Rotary” story. Why, because we serve others.
Rotary allows me to amplify my efforts and multiply my impacts. I call it the magic of Rotary. This year the Rotary Club of Rockingham County partnered with the Rotary Club of Harrisonburg to write a grant to benefit On the Road Collaborative. We are now selling t-shirts designed by On the Road Collaborative students to help fund the grant. This is where each donation, each community member, each action makes a huge difference. We need you to purchase a t-shirt. We can all come together to help our community by offering students love and support through On the Road Collaborative. Sure the OTRC team offers students exposure to different career opportunities taught by community leaders. They give students strong role models to follow. They show students a path for the future that maybe the students did not think was possible for them. However, what I have seen first hand is On the Road Collaborative staff offers love and support to students in our community that may or may not feel that love and support from anyone else in the community.
So how can you make a difference? Purchase a t-shirt. They are $20 each.
When you purchase one, one will be donated to a student participating in OTRC. That $20 directly supports OTRC efforts. If you get a shirt, it has our logo so you can use it to enter the Gaines Group Architect’s Red Wing Roots Music Festival ticket contest. More than anything, you get a cool t-shirt, designed by students, and you show love and support for a student in our community. Check out the contest HERE.
On the Road Collaborative is a non-profit youth empowerment organization that sets under-served middle and high school youth on the road to college and career by connecting them to dynamic educational experiences and caring adults during the out-of-school hours.
Thanks to Brad Cohen for all his work putting this grant effort together!
A huge thank you to Ted Marrs at Abrahamse and Company Builders in Charlottesville for purchasing the first t-shirt! These guys always go above and beyond for their clients and the community. Thanks Ted!
by Charles Hendricks | May 1, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Each month we host a new artist for Harrisonburg’s First Friday 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 and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
Also, The Marvin Window and Door Showroom is a stop on the First Friday Chocolate Walk again this year.
ELLEN H. VANOVER
(Artist: Watercolor, Pastel, Pencil)
I was born and raised in the small town of Hinton, Virginia. Hinton is right smack in the middle of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Growing up, I will always remember the special times I had with my family, Daddy (Harry Hollar) being able to make and fix everything, but always saying he was the Master of None; and Mom (Ethel) for keeping her wits trying to raise five girls, and her sense of humor doing it. Look’in back, they sure were some good ol’ times. Now, I have three super daughters, two great grand kids, and a wonderful Hubby. Their love and support for my art overwhelms me.
Being a country gal and with my family, I enjoy and appreciate the sights of the Shenandoah Valley. I’ve also traveled to and lived in other countries and experience their cultures. Even though I started painting pictures of things you would find here in the good old country days, I’ve grown to include the things you still find in other places around the world.
I like sharing my memories through these paintings and prints. Most include a short story on what inspired me to create them.
Thank You for Your Support!!
by Charles Hendricks | Apr 5, 2018 | artwork, community, First Friday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
First Friday Art Opening – This Friday w/ Aaron Zook
Aaron Zook is a Harrisonburg native and self-taught photographer presenting his work for April’s First Friday Art Opening.
Where:
Gaines Group Architects features an artist each month at the Depot in Harrisonburg for the First Friday Art Opening. This is our chance to support the local art community and Arts Council of the Valley by allowing them a no cost place to show their work and for you to spend money showing them your love of their work. Come to see, buy, talk, and enjoy some of our food and drink while you are here. The Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. on the second floor has a history display of the CW line that is deep with stories – just ask Charles. Artwork is displayed in the gallery (hallway back to Herr and Co.). Food and drink are available along with lots of conversation and networking in the Gaines Group offices.
What Aaron Zook does:
He draws inspiration from the hard-working people that make everyday life happen behind the scenes. He is a bartender, mountain guide, and perpetually sleep deprived.
“Here’s the thing. It doesn’t get any easier out there darlin, I’d be lying if I said it did. But give in to the depravity of the soul for just one moment, and you’ll discover that there isn’t much difference in all of us. We all have that moment where we sit and breathe. We shake our heads and slap ourselves around. Then we walk out into that big bright world. Don’t forget your shades.”
About the show:
This project was hard for me to put my finger on at first. It was born out of frustration really. When I was a kid, I could never quite decide what I wanted to be when I “grew up.” In my more recent life, I’ve listened to my fair share of “when are you going to get a real job..?” and “are you ever planning on using your degree?” Finally, an older gentleman went so far as to ask me what it was exactly that my peers and I did with their time. When I stopped to think about it, my answer was…everything. People like me do literally everything. So, this show is for the people that aren’t where they want to be yet, but where they need to be for now. It’s for the late nights of wondering where we’re headed. For the moments of pure joy when we figure out where we’re supposed to be. For the passion projects and side hustles. For the empty shows, struggling to make progress, and wondering when it will all finally click.
Look me in the eye.
It will.
Get your Rotary / On the Road Collaborative t-shirts, they are now available for $20. Let me know how many you want!
Rotary allows me to amplify my efforts and multiply my impacts. I call it the magic of Rotary. This year the 
When you purchase one, one will be donated to a student participating in OTRC. That $20 directly supports OTRC efforts. If you get a shirt, it has our logo so you can use it to enter the Gaines Group Architect’s 
Each month we host a new artist for Harrisonburg’s First Friday 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 and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
