Carla Folks, Certified Picture Framer with Wyman Frame, discusses her most memorable framing projects, teaching people with disabilities how to finish a frame and more in this Q&A.
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Four framing options for a print
I recently had the chance to frame one poster, designed by Dale Rogers Training Center Senior Graphic Designer Brian Landreth, four ways. Each person having their print framed had a different idea of what they wanted, and ended up highlighting various elements within the same artwork.
In this case, the multitude of colors in the piece, along with the many combinations we can offer at Wyman Frame, worked for their framing project.
The results
The white frame with grey mat was chosen because of the neutral colors in the client’s home. This person also wanted the framed result to be larger because she had a big space to fill on her wall.
The clean lines of the black frame gave the piece a gallery framed look.
The brown frame was used for the client that had a lot of warm wood tones in the room where the art was going to hang. It brought out some of the warm colors in the art that weren’t really noticeable at first.
The frame on the right was chosen by the artist who was interested in bringing out the less dominate blue in the piece. We chose a blue mat that worked well and then used two frames to achieve the look we wanted. The bright green inner frame looks great between the blue mat and black frame making a dynamic framing option for an exceptional piece of art.
Conclusion
All of the frame choices worked because we used colors that could be found in the art. There is no right way to frame a picture so choose what works for you and enjoy it.
Carla Folks works at Wyman Frame, a division of Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC). Carla has been a Certified Picture Framer since 1989 and has framed for DRTC since 2013 where she trains/supervises people with disabilities on various projects.
DRTC is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,100 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
When partnership turns into family
Anytime you’ve been in a relationship for 15 years, you’re bound to have endured many good times while creating cherished memories. The relationship between Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) and Pelco Products, Inc. is no different.
The two partnered with one another in 2002, expanding DRTC’s Mobile Workforce Program, which sends a team of up to eight individuals with disabilities and a DRTC staff member to various locations to complete projects.
Hard at work
DRTC’s crew has helped package more than 100 various kits for Pelco’s traffic and utility products. These kits, comprised of anywhere from 2-48 pieces, are used to assemble street lights, stop lights and other products made at the traffic and utility hardware manufacturer’s headquarters in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Upon assembly, completed components assembled by DRTC’s skilled workforce are distributed worldwide. Pelco sells products to all 50 states and international markets as well.
Through the 15-year partnership, DRTC’s Mobile Workforce has produced 3.5 million kits for Pelco.
“I don’t know of one kit that ever came back wrong,” said Phil Parduhn, Pelco Co-Owner.
Pelco President & CEO Steve Parduhn added, “There’s been enough kits that every man, woman, child in the state of Oklahoma could have one of these kits.”
15-year anniversary
During a 15-year anniversary celebration, DRTC presented Pelco Products a poster framed at Wyman Frame, a division of DRTC, with the words “You Make a Difference,” signed by members of the Mobile Workforce team.
Pelco’s inclusion of individuals at DRTC is notable, from staff luncheons and activities, signage welcoming the crew, or online as the company demonstrates its commitment to community.
“It’s a joy working with you guys, having you here,” said Steve Parduhn. “Being a part of the Pelco family has been wonderful and we really appreciate it.”
The feeling is mutual from Mobile Workforce participants.
“We are family,” said Chris.
“We do a good job and like working the kits,” said Bonnie.
“We are good employees and we get the kits done,” added Sandra.
“Pelco’s commitment to providing real job opportunities for people with disabilities is something that should be modeled in more places,” said DRTC Executive Director Connie Thrash McGoodwin. “They (Pelco) have included our individuals, making them feel welcomed and part of the team.”
New opportunities
While DRTC’s Mobile Workforce completes the kitting jobs at Pelco’s large facility, others on Dale Rogers Training Center’s main campus complete subcontract work, providing more work opportunities for people with disabilities.
Individuals in DRTC’s Vocational Services Program also help kit items up to 19 pieces. Another subcontracting job with Pelco creates jobs for people with disabilities by having them install reflective tape along the edges of massive traffic light borders.
Bright future
As we celebrate the success we’ve had in the past, we continue to look toward the future.
Dale Rogers Training Center is excited for what’s to come with Pelco and the exciting opportunities for those served to develop skills and earn a paycheck.
DRTC, its clients, and their families are eternally grateful for the partnership, and relationships formed over the past 15 years.
About DRTC: Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
2017 Employer of the Year
Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC), Oklahoma’s oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities, received the Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns’ 2017 Employer of the Year Award.
The annual award honors employers for outstanding hiring practices and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
DRTC provides training or employment opportunities for 1,000 people with disabilities every year. The nonprofit agency, which received it’s third consecutive CARF Accreditation in 2017, offers many programs to provide opportunities for individuals served. Last program year, individuals in the nonprofit’s programs earned $5 million.
Dale Rogers Training Center also operates a Transition School-to-Work program, working with high school juniors and seniors at 17 schools in the Oklahoma City metro to equip them not only with work skills, but also personal and self advocacy skills.
As an entrepreneurial nonprofit, DRTC runs Prism Place (awards, trophies and promotional items division), as well as Wyman Frame (custom picture framing division), and holds custodial and food service contracts at Tinker Air Force Base, FAA and other locations.
About DRTC: Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest community vocational training and employment center for people with disabilities in Oklahoma. With multiple locations in Oklahoma, DRTC trains or employs more than 1,000 people with disabilities per year. Visit us online: DRTC.org.
