HUTCHINSON, KS – Local artist, Julie Black, was recognized by Interhab on Friday, October 14th at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, Kansas with the Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2016. The Art & Awards Ceremony at Interhab celebrates exceptional professionals and volunteers from across the region who are committed to providing the best possible outcomes for the persons they serve.

Julie Black has been volunteering at Training and Evaluation Center of Hutchinson (TECH) Inc since the spring of 2013. Julie is a professional artist with incredible talent and big heart for the people TECH serves, the organization and our community. Julie comes to the TECH Art Studio nearly every week, giving art and painting lessons to the TECH clients, helping them to create beautiful masterpieces. When Julie arrives at TECH, she is energetic and positive in her approaches and says, “We just have sunshine in my classes…no clouds!” Through art, the client’s artistic abilities have grown by leaps and bounds as has their confidence and sense of accomplishment.

Brenda Maxey, CEO and President of TECH, Inc. said, “Julie is so deserving of this award. She has gone beyond any expectations anyone would ever have of a volunteer. Her dedication and passion for TECH and the people we serve is truly from the heart. We are proud of Julie, and blessed to have her as a member of our TECH family.”

Julie gives of herself very freely and shares opportunities for TECH artists to display their artwork in the community as well as meet and interact with other artists. In November 2014, Julie was selected to be the featured artist at the Hutchinson Art Center and she extended this opportunity to include TECH artists to display their work alongside her. Through opportunities such as this, Julie introduces the TECH clients to other artists and patrons of the arts in the community. She is constantly increasing the awareness of the artwork done by the clients.

In 2016, as TECH was preparing for the grand opening of the TECH Art Studio, Julie asked if she could paint a mural on the outside of the building, which also houses the Adult Life Skills program. Julie’s enthusiasm and energy that she has poured into the mural is phenomenal. She has filled the entire wall with beautiful whimsical flowers, people and designs. Julie has also included the TECH artists in the painting of the wall. She has well over 60 days of painting invested into the wall, most days spending an average of 8-15 hours per day on the wall. This
mural further contributes to the beautification and revitalization of the Downtown Hutchinson area.

Julie’s passion and creativity are invaluable to the lives of those that she impacts at TECH. We would like to congratulate her on this prestigious award.

About Interhab: Established in 1969, Interhab is the oldest and largest statewide association of developmental disability service providers. For more information, visit www.interhab.org.