Press release from Buncombe County Recreation Services:
(Asheville, NC) – Athletic stars from Buncombe County Special Olympics were treated to a deluxe photoshoot opportunity on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2016. The photoshoot, a collaborative event organized by Cat Ford-Coates of Studio 828 Photography and Wendy Ballance of Blush Asheville, sought to empower the participating athletes by capturing their personalities and accomplishments. In addition the photoshoot will also support the athletes by generating awareness of their talents within the community at large.
The photoshoot was offered free of charge to participants. Ford-Coates provided photography services which were complemented by Ballance’s professional makeup services. Emily Gillis of Mass Wisteria Productions and Anita Bryant provided behind the scenes support, videography, and photography services. The event was also supported by Buncombe County Special Olympics and Buncombe County Recreation Services who coordinated athletes and facilities for the shoot. French Broad Imaging will be contributing printing services in order to provide each athlete with a matted print from the shoot.
The idea for a photoshoot featuring Special Olympics’ athletes came to Ford-Coates after she saw a segment on WLOS about Buncombe County Special Olympics’ recent kickball game hosted by the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s Special Olympics College chapter. Ford-Coates wanted to utilize her skills in way that allowed her to develop a more personal connection with the cause behind Special Olympics. “Those with intellectual disabilities are so often overlooked as people with thoughts, feelings, and ideas of their own,” says Ford-Coates, “My job, my purpose, is to not only acknowledge but, to empower them in their own self. It isn’t just about being pretty. It’s about knowing your own grace and owning it.”
The photoshoot offered ten of Buncombe County’s Special Olympics athletes (ranging from ages 7 to adult) an opportunity reveal their more glamorous side and to highlight their participation in Special Olympics.
From a programming standpoint, the shoot offered Buncombe County Special Olympics a way to advance an evolution within its program. Over the past several months, Buncombe County Special Olympics has worked to increase its offering of integrative programs which pairs athletes with members of the community to provide non-competitive opportunities for interaction and socialization. Programs have included the kickball game, which attracted Ford-Coates to the program, as well as the Young Athletes Program intended to teach social and motor skills to all children ages 2-7. The purpose of such activities is to increase awareness of individuals with intellectual disabilities and to dispel stereotypes and misconceptions about the Special Olympics program. Ford-Coates’ photoshoot proposal was received well by the local program coordination staff given that it fit within their vision of how the program could gain more community support.
The atmosphere at the shoot was extremely light-hearted and jovial. Athletes were more than willing to hop in front of the camera revealing that they are not only skilled athletic competitors but top-class models as well.
For more information about Buncombe County Special Olympics call 828.250.4265 or e-mail specialolympics@buncombecounty.org. Information can also be found at https://www.facebook.com/buncombecountyspecialolympics/.
Contact information for Cat Ford-Coates can be found at http://www.studio-828.com/.
Contact information for Wendy Ballance can be found at http://www.ashevillemakeupartist.com/.
Contact information for Emily Gillis can be found at http://masswisteria.productions/.
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