We are pleased to announce that ART CLASH, presented by Lightning 100 and held on Friday, June 15th at the Texas Troubadour Theater was a roaring success! Art Clash was Nashville’s first live upcycled art making competition (think "Iron Chef" for artists). Funds raised will support SmART! Supplies, the social enterprise of Progress that sells donated arts and crafts materials and employs people with disabilities.

During the competition, five teams created one-of-a-kind artwork out of upcycled materials in two hours. Teams were required to incorporate a selection of upcycled materials provided by SmART! Supplies, including wine corks and crayons, and were also permitted to bring their own materials from an approved list.

The event featured a panel of judges consisting of some of Nashville’s most notable artists and leaders in the art community. Judges included Beth Inglish, founder of Nashville Creative Group, Éva Boros of Nashville Walls Project, Brian Sexton of Nashville Creatives’ Day, Colin Pigott of Creative Mornings, Metro Council Member Jeff Syracuse, and critically-acclaimed artists Wayne Brezinka and Randy Purcell. The event was hosted by Torri Yates-Orr, CW58 Nashville multimedia host and actress.

“Art Clash has proven that a live, upcycled art making competition has a strong place in Nashville’s art scene. The event raised important awareness for SmART! Supplies. We brought something entirely new to the community, participants and spectators had a blast, and we are thrilled with the results,” shared Kyle Graden, Marketing and Outreach Manager for SmART! Supplies.

Teams included Post Future (1st Place), Minds Unchained (2nd Place), Trash Mob (3rd Place), Team Blend and the Weary Easel. More than 50 attendees viewed the live competition, and winners received comprehensive prize packages.

Planning for Art Clash 2019 is underway, visit www.artclashnashville.com for details about this year’s event.

Progress hosted the 4th Annual Golden Years at the Fairgrounds Nashville on Tuesday, May 3rd 2016. More than 400 people attended the event, setting a new attendance record. The day was filled with a variety of free activities and services including fitness instruction, bone density scans, arts and crafts classes, massages, manicures, makeup tutorials, and much more.

Attendees were able to speak with a variety of vendors offering services needed by seniors. Stage demonstrations took place throughout the day, including cooking, gardening, Zumba fitness, dancing groups, and a special fashion show by Couture for a Cause. A representative from the Mayor’s Office also spoke, and was available for questions afterwards.

Progress is incredibly grateful to sponsors Amerigroup, Baptist Healing Trust, Delmar Medical, HCA/TriStar Health, Subway and Windlands for making the event possible.

More information about Golden Years can be found at ​http://www.progress-inc.org/golden-years1.html

California Closets and 94 FM The Fish hosted an evening of fashion and fun in support of Project SEARCH and Autism Speaks on Saturday, April 2nd at California Closets in Franklin. The event featured live performances by Jaci Velasquez & Nic Gonzales and blue runway fashion show displaying evening wear designed by Project Runway’s Jonathan Kayne, modeled by Project SEARCH graduates.

The event kicked off a month-long promotion at California Closets, during which a percentage of profits in April will be donated to Project SEARCH. Additionally, Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop has chosen Project SEARCH for their “Pie It Forward” program for the month of April. Proceeds from the pie of the month Chewy Chocolate Chip will be donated to the Project SEARCH program.

Project SEARCH at Vanderbilt is a program facilitated by Progress.  Project SEARCH is a 9 month internship for people with disabilities which focuses on a rotation of various jobs throughout the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center as well as classroom training.  The internship does not guarantee job placement, but rather provides hands-on training and experience in various positions.  There are over 40 past interns (graduates) currently employed within the Vanderbilt system. This program has had many success stories and equips participants with the tools needed for workplace success. Progress has been a leader in serving people with intellectual disabilities for over 40 years through a variety of services designed to assist individuals in living healthy, happy and safe lives.

Progress is extremely grateful for the support of California Closets, 94 FM The Fish and Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop for coordinating this fundraiser. The event was an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about Project SEARCH and its many success stories.  For more information about Project SEARCH please contact Pam Hollingsworth at 615-577-4721 or email P.Hollingsworth@Progress-Inc.org