The Gallery at AHS's Featured Artist, O'Lynda Walker
Reared in the Mississippi School system of Jackson, MS, O'Lynda won several prestigious art awards from the Mississippi Art Association for creative use of materials, and for her work in oil and other media outside the classroom. As an early teen, O'Lynda enrolled in several local colleges where she was able to practice levels of drawing including the human figure. O'Lynda believes the basis of fine art often hinges on the development of the eye to render what was perceived correctly through an understanding of light and shadow. At the age of fourteen, she could render a portrait in likeness without the use of a grid. As a child, she developed her eye by drawing everything she could on anything suitable for graphite pencils, colored pencils, and charcoal.
O'Lynda explored the field of Interior Design while receiving her BFA at The University of Georgia in 1967. While there, she won Honorable Mention in the Senior Exhibit from SW Division of the Georgia Interior Design Society. At Radford University, she studied a Master's program in Design and Early Childhood Education. For fifteen years, O'Lynda was the lead designer at Radford Furniture and Interiors in Radford, VA. While rearing her two daughters, O'Lynda taught art at the Blacksburg Recreation Department and at Christiansburg High School in Virginia. Family members and children in the neighborhood became subjects in charcoal and pencil.
Currently, O'Lynda has returned to the fine art field of drawing and painting in various media: watercolor, pastel, oil, and water-soluble oil in Plein air events. O'Lynda enjoys exploring the new medium of repurposed glass, which has become her passion. The colored, patterned glass is cut, sorted, and designed into an art piece that is held in the frame with artist-grade resin. O'Lynda also teaches teens to adults drawing skills at all skill levels at her home in Midland, NC.
O'Lynda is an active member of three art guilds, Cabarrus Art Guild in Concord, NC, Mooresville Arts located in Mooresville, NC, and Stanly Arts Guild in Albemarle, NC where she actively supports the arts by contributing time as a docent, placing her art in art shows, attending and participating in events and other service projects. O'Lynda has won several awards in oils, pastels, and glass art in shows in these guilds.
The public is welcome to visit these unique galleries to enjoy art in all media on display by local artists, take classes, and shop for very unique, one-of-a-kind art pieces for gifts or personal collections that are available for sale. Purchasing art keeps art available for everyone who might be interested in learning something new, pursuing it as a hobby, or for further development as a better artist. Better yet, if offers the community a new level of enjoyment!
VMX Conference Fun
Jada and Jessica went to the largest veterinary conference in the world in Orlando Florida! In this video, Jessica reviews her experience at VMX - Take a look! Video coming soon!
Celebrating 50 years of Service: Animal Hospital of Statesville's Anniversary Event
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, the Animal Hospital of Statesville proudly opened its doors to the public for a special 50th Anniversary Celebration. The event, attended by approximately 100 people, was a joyous occasion to commemorate five decades of dedicated care for pets and their families in the local community.
Attendees were treated to an afternoon filled with education, fun, and a deep sense of community. Highlights included a Facebook Live session with AHS owners Dr. Chip Cooney and Crisi Cooney, as well as a milestone ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce. The original founders of the Animal Hospital, Pat and Dr. Dave Parks, also attended. Guests enjoyed signing a guest book, indulging in delicious cake, and witnessing live medical demonstrations using stuffed animals and foods! The hospital and our vendor representatives also provided freebies to attendees, such as koozies, socks, temporary tattoos, dog bandanas, and much more. A guided tour of the hospital provided a look into the past, present and exciting future of Animal Hospital of Statesville.
"We were thrilled to see the great turnout for our 50th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, " Dr. Cooney said. "The cherry on top was having Dr. Dave and Pat Parks, who are the original owners of the Animal Hospital of Statesville, who came to visit for the festivities. We are honored to have served the Statesville community for 50 years and we are committed to providing excellent patient care and customer service for many years to come."
The celebration also offered a sneak peek into the future with exciting news about the hospital's expansion. In 2025, the Animal Hospital of Statesville will be opening a second location on South Main Street in Troutman, appropriately named Animal Hospital on South Main!
Additionally, the event marked the debut of the hospital's new logo and refreshed branding, which reflects the hospital's continued growth and dedication to providing top-quality veterinary care. The Animal Hospital of Statesville would like to thank the following for their assistance in our rebranding: interior designer Kim Edwards, painter Dennis Brown, wallpaper and handyman Michael Ayers, mural artist Pat Edwards, and etched glass logo and outdoor signage by Sir Speedy.
Animal Hospital of Statesville is proud to offer a wide range of services, including advanced medical care such as ultrasound, dentistry, reproductive services and specialized surgical techniques enabling faster recovery. The hospital also maintains a fully equipped in-house pharmacy and diagnostic laboratory. The anniversary celebration gave attendees an exclusive opportunity to learn more about the critical work Animal Hospital of Statesville does every day for the community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this incredible milestone. We look forward to many more years of caring for your pets with compassion and expertise!
Animal Hospital of Statesville is proud to offer a wide range of services, including advanced medical care such as ultrasound, dentistry, reproductive services and specialized surgical techniques enabling faster recovery. The hospital also maintains a fully equipped in-house pharmacy and diagnostic laboratory. The anniversary celebration gave attendees an exclusive opportunity to learn more about the critical work Animal Hospital of Statesville does every day for the community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this incredible milestone. We look forward to many more years of caring for your pets with compassion and expertise!