Move over bronze plaques and other cliché awards …. Some businesses are choosing a unique memento to show their appreciation for founders, partners, retiring CEOs and other significant company players — portrait paintings.
WWA Portrait Painters (the acronym stands for ‘Wild Wonderful Appalachian’) is the first and only portrait agency in WV. Their artists range in skill from student to contemporary master — and are priced accordingly. Clients on a budget can get an archival portrait for as little as $300, while those looking for investment art (such as the University of Charleston) can choose a nationally awarded portraitist who charges $25,000-$55,000 per figure (or more).
The Beckley Water Company is one of WWA’s many satisfied clients. Because the company was on a modest budget, president Matt Stanley chose one-color sepia renderings by portraitist Patrick Meadows (also of Beckley., WV). The portraits were unveiled at a stockholder’s meeting in May 2009, and were well received by the founders’ families attending the unveiling.
When Dr. Janet Welch (wife of University of Charleston President Ed Welch) founded the Erma Byrd Gallery in the University, featuring a collection of the state’s most outstanding women artists, she included a painting from WWA artist Wendy Wassink. When it came time to commission a portrait for her personal collection, she contacted WWA Portrait Painters and chose a portrait artist based in Kentucky.
The West Virginia Coal Association is another regular client of WWA, commissioning portraits of their retiring chairmen, including one of spokesperson Don Nehlen, former football coach for WVU. These portraits are unveiled during honorary dinners at The Greenbrier Hotel.
Some companies have decided that an heirloom-quality portrait is much more exciting than a gold watch.
Contact WWA Portrait Painters at 304-575-9658. See portraits at WWAPORTRAITS.COM and on their FaceBook: WWA PORTRAIT PAINTERS.
