Successful Art Showing for TVS No Limits Artists

May 1, 2023 | News

Party Animal - acrylic on wood uses abstract lines and colors to create a fun and colorful cow sticking out its tongue.

During the month of April, the art exhibit “Just Passing Through” was shown at the Transylvania Community Art Council (TCArts) gallery. This annual show promoting the Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) “No Limits” artists highlights a variety of subject matter, different medias, and lots of color.

“At the Arts Council, we look forward to the “No Limits” artists’ exhibition each year. The quality and variety of the artwork in the exhibition is exceptional, and each artist has his or her own unique style,” said TCArts Executive Director Kathy King. “My favorite part of the show is the opening reception and visiting with the No Limits artists, most of whom really enjoy talking about their artwork – and seeing it exhibited in the Gallery.”

This year the TCArts hosted two separate opening receptions to accommodate all the “No Limits” artists. Both day and evening receptions welcomed community members, family members, and artists as well as snacks and beverages for refreshments. Visitors had a variety of painted animals, geometrically country quilts squares, and other nature themed media to see.

“From the flowers to the feet, to all the funky animals we painted, it was all a lot of fun. Many days we went home covered in paint ourselves,” laughed TVS INTERACT Supervisor Brooke Wilson.

TCArts remits 100% of the sales price to the artists and this year, the gallery did exceptionally well with 75% of the artwork having been sold.

“I feel like after the first few hours of the show being on display it was already a success. In my opinion, success is measured by much more than just monetary value,” reflected Wilson. “Success was looking around the gallery and seeing nothing but smiles and joyful conversations amongst the artists, families, and community members.”

Looking ahead, the TVS “No Limits” artists will be featured at the Transylvania Chamber of Commerce as their featured Artist of the Month in August and is planning an internal holiday themed art sale near the end of the year.

Click here to read the Transylvania Times article about the event.

Highlights from Just Passing Through

Valley of the Moon

Valley of the Moon by Joshua Acrylic on canvas

Ships Ahoy

Ships Ahoy by Peter Acrylic on canvas in frame

Bumble Bee

Bumble Bee by Derrick Acrylic on Wood

Pretty Nice Spring

Pretty Nice Spring by Debbie Acrylic on canvas

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty by Kathleen Acrylic on canvas

Bambi

Bambi by Laura Acrylic on wood

Harvest Sun

Harvest Sun by Amber Acrylic on Canvas

Party Animal

Party Animal by Jay Acrylic on wood

Flowers

Flowers by Wallace Acrylic on wood

Foxy

Foxy by Matthias Acrylic on canvas

TVS Staff and Artists Recognized at MARC Annual Awards Luncheon

Nov 2, 2022 | News

Each year The Marketing Association of Rehabilitation Centers of North Carolina (MARC) collaborates to host the “Annual Awards Luncheon and Art Exhibit” and celebrates the opportunity for members to gather for meetings, awards, lunch, and overall togetherness. This year it was held at the Highland Lake Inn on October 14th, and nonprofits from across North Carolina traveled to attend.

The event was particularly notable for TVS, as one of its very own staff was recognized and received a remarkable lifetime achievement award. Carla Hill, longtime TVS Program Director, was honored with the “Spirit of MARC Award” for her overall integrity and years of servicing the disability community.

The “Spirit of MARC Award” is given to a person who has compellingly; through work, decisions, and actions demonstrated the selfless, cooperative, and collaborative “Spirit of MARC.” Reflecting back on the event Hill said, “Anyone in that room could have won this award. I was in shock, so surprised, when they said my name.”

This is the highlight of my career,” she said. “It is beyond my words to be honored by this group. I hope it means that I have contributed to being part of the greater good.”

Also recognized at the ceremony were TVS artists Sam Snyder, Mattias Brown, and Kristen Hodsdon. They were celebrated as the winners of “2022 CreateAbilities” for their art piece titled, “George Washington.”

Senator Kevin Corbin, representative for District 50 including Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, and Transylvania Counties,

was also presented the “Chairman’s Award” for assuring an array of service options for people with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities across North Carolina remain available to all citizens. “You can always count on me!” Corbin said in response to the award.

MARC is a nonprofit organization and consortium of manufacturing facilities in North Carolina that serves twenty-seven rural counties across the state. MARC’s overall mission is to improve the economic and social quality of life for individuals with barriers to employment. Since 1978 MARC has worked with its members to provide a full array of services and support for people with a disabilities and disadvantages that includes: evaluation, work training, job skills, job coaching and supported employment to build long-term success for both employee and employer. For more information about MARC visit www.marcinc.com.

‘No Limits’ Artists Show at TCArts

Feb 25, 2022 | News

TVS ‘No Limits’ artists opens their first art show of 2022 at the Transylvania County Art Council (TC Arts). The exhibit titled, “Across the Land” features drawings, paintings, crafts, and furniture.

The opening reception was held on Thursday, February 24 and will remain open to the public through March 19.

The community is invited to visit TC Arts during gallery hours, Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. TC Arts is located at 349 S. Caldwell St, Brevard.

Click here to read the Transylvania Times article

Dedication of Avery’s Place

Jun 24, 2021 | News

Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) is honored to have dedicated its new modular classroom on behalf of past program participant and dear friend Avery McKeller. Avery was both a participant and employee at TVS since 2016, and she was an integral member of the TVS family.

Her smile and energy still leave a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

It was, Derrick, a program participant who suggested that the classroom be named after Avery. “It was a no brainer,” said INTERACT Program Supervisor Jeanette Wayne. “Every time we say, ‘I’ll see you over at Avery’s Place,’ we’re remembering Avery, so we want to dedicate this wonderful building to sparkle, sunshine, joy and laughter because that is who Avery was.”

At the dedication, TVS participants, employees, and friends gathered with some Avery’s family to honor and remember her time at TVS. The dedication began with Wayne talking to the audience about Avery and her impact at TVS.

“We want to have this to be a place where sparkly, beautiful, shiny, happy things happen. And our staff and TVS, as a company, we’re dedicated to doing that as a company,” Wayne said.

The floor was opened up for individuals to speak about their time with Avery. Several participants and a few DSPs spoke of memories and good times while also thanking the McKeller family for sharing Avery with us, at TVS.

The memories left the audience with giggles, smiles, and loving tears.

The McKeller’s had also prepared a heartfelt speech that reminded everyone of their importance to Avery. She always said, “Thank you SO much. And on behalf of Mack and the rest of our family by naming this place Avery’s Place, thank you for choosing to continue to call her name and remember her.”

After friends and family had spoken, the ‘No Limits’ artists performed a sign language rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and gifted the McKeller’s a hydrangea bush, along with a video and book both filled with images and sweet thoughts.

The dedication ended with a family tour of the building and cookies baked by the culinary team in INTERACT.

Avery’s Place was added to TVS in early 2020 to offer more office spaces and additional room for program participants. Avery’s friends will continue to remember her each and every day as they enter their classroom and pass underneath the beautiful overhead plaque honoring the unforgettable life of such an amazing human being.

We invite you to read more about the dedication from the Transylvania Times.

TVS participates in Cornhole Tournament

Jun 18, 2021 | News

Last weekend, TVS happily participated in the Rotary Club of Brevard’s first annual cornhole tournament at the new Depot on Railroad Avenue. The competition was a charity event that helped to raise approximately $3500 for local charities including the Transylvania County Special Olympics.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Rotary Club and the community,” said TVS INTERACT Supervisor and TVS Extreme member, Jeanette Wayne. “It was fabulous and I couldn’t have wished for it to be any better.”

In the tournament, the first-place team was Calamity, winning a $500 cash prize and a $250 gift card to Pisgah Cove and the second-place $250 cash prize went to Blue Brawlers after a hard-fought battle.

While the TVS teams did not win any prizes, the TVS Thunderbirds soared into a fourth-place spot and the J-namic Duo claimed a dynamic fifth-place score!

“It was fun,” said TVS participant and TVS Thunderbird member Josh. “My favorite part was getting all excited and throwing the bags into the holes.”

Of the 14 teams in the competition, TVS had six teams:

“TVS Extreme“: Jeanette Wayne and Rob, sponsored by Jeanette Wayne
“TVS Terminators“: Sam King and Jay, sponsored by Michael-Dexter-Smith
“TVS Thunderbirds“: Brandon Crawford and Josh, sponsored by Catherine Chapman
“TVS Troopers“: Brooke Wilson and Jonathan, sponsored by Elevate Physical Therapy
“TVS Outlaws“: Taylor and Tyler, sponsored by TVS
“J-namic Duo“: Jamie Brandenburg and Jonathan Coggins, sponsored by Wendi and Scott Adair

“I really loved everything about the tournament. It brought out my competitive side,” said TVS DSP and Thunderbird member Brandon Crawford. “I liked that TVS brought out a crowd and energy to the tournament.”

The Brevard Rotary Club catered the event with Blue Smoke BBQ plates and celebrated all competitors with black and white tournament shirts.

The event was sponsored by Pilot Cove Forest Lodging, Brevard Academy, Ecusta Brewing, Oskar Blues, and Blue Smoke BBQ.

A big thank you to all the sponsors, players, and donators.