What RS&H’s Anniversary Art Contest Revealed About Creativity, Culture, and Employee Ownership

When RS&H launched its first-ever employee art contest as part of its 85th anniversary celebration, the goal was simple: invite associates to creatively interpret what “Creating Tomorrow Together” means to them. 

What emerged was something more profound. 

More than 20 employee owners submitted artwork across traditional, textile/fabric, and 3D categories, offering personal reflections on the firm’s history, culture, and future. The winning entries showcased impressive talent, but the stories behind them revealed an even deeper theme: the enduring impact of people.

That theme took center stage during an episode of AEC Perspectives featuring the contest winners: aviation architect Mitchell Skowbo, principal interior designer Briehn Wildman, and engineering associate Billie Castillo. Throughout the conversation, they reflected on creativity, collaboration, mentorship, and what employee ownership means through their experiences at RS&H. 

More Than Art 

Each artist approached the contest from a different perspective and medium. 

Billie created a crocheted version of the RS&H logo entirely from yarn, spending weeks carefully constructing each character by hand. What began as a crafting project became a reflection of how organizations are built: one layer at a time.  

Mitchell submitted a resin assemblage composed of carefully curated objects preserved within a shadow box. Drawing from techniques developed during his architectural studies, he used the medium to honor history and preserve the stories connected to the objects themselves. 

Briehn’s piece, titled In the Trace of Others, used trace paper, sketches, redlines, and handwritten notes collected throughout her career to tell a different story: one about the people whose influence shapes projects long before they are ever completed. 

While the mediums differed, the underlying message remained remarkably consistent. 

All three artists saw RS&H’s 85-year legacy not as a milestone measured in years, but as a continuous chain of contributions passed from one generation to the next.

Creativity Happens Everywhere

One of the most compelling themes from the discussion was the idea that creativity isn’t limited to traditionally creative professions.

For Briehn, creativity begins with curiosity and problem-solving. Design work often starts by uncovering needs that clients themselves may not fully recognize, then balancing competing priorities to create meaningful solutions. She described creativity as “curiosity applied to a problem.”

Billie shared a similar perspective from the engineering side. While engineering is often viewed as a discipline driven by calculations and standards, she sees creativity as an essential part of the work. Every project presents a unique challenge, requiring engineers to think differently, adapt to constraints, and develop solutions that are both practical and innovative. For Billie, creativity isn’t separate from engineering. It’s what transforms technical expertise into meaningful outcomes.

Mitchell noted that creativity can appear both in large design decisions and in smaller details. Even highly functional facilities such as parking structures offer opportunities to thoughtfully shape the user experience and create connections to the surrounding environment.  

The conversation reinforced a truth that extends well beyond architecture, engineering, and construction: creativity is not solely artistic expression. It is often the process of solving problems, asking better questions, and finding new perspectives. 

The Human Side of Legacy 

As the discussion turned toward RS&H’s 85th anniversary, all three associates returned to a common idea: legacy is ultimately about people. 

Mitchell spoke about the visible impact of RS&H projects throughout Jacksonville, from airport facilities to long-standing community institutions connected to the firm’s history. These projects serve as tangible reminders of the generations of individuals who helped shape the community over time. 

Briehn experienced that legacy firsthand while creating her artwork. As she gathered sketches, notes, and contributions from colleagues and former mentors, she found herself thinking less about years and milestones and more about the individual interactions that create lasting influence. An old sketch, a handwritten note, or a thoughtful suggestion often carries forward knowledge in ways that are every bit as meaningful as completed projects.  

For Billie, the process of crocheting became a metaphor for the firm’s history. Each row depended on the one before it. Sometimes progress requires unraveling and reworking sections before moving forward. The parallels between craftsmanship and organizational growth became impossible to ignore.  

Together, their perspectives paint a compelling picture of employee ownership. While physical projects may stand as visible reminders of achievement, the true legacy of an organization lives in the transfer of knowledge, support, and opportunity from one person to another. 

Projects That Leave a Lasting Impact 

The trio also reflected on the projects that have shaped their careers. 

For Billie, memorable experiences often come from being in the field and seeing firsthand how infrastructure supports everyday life. A visit to the airfield at Tampa International Airport offered one of those memorable moments that few professionals ever have the opportunity to experience. 

Mitchell highlighted his work on Jacksonville International Airport’s Concourse B expansion. Having joined the project midway through design, he has been able to watch it progress from design concepts to nearly completed construction. Seeing details he helped create become reality remains one of the most rewarding parts of his career. 

Briehn reflected on the VyStar downtown campus project, particularly the transformation of an underutilized alley into a vibrant public gathering space. What stands out most to her is not the final design itself, but seeing the community actively use the space years later for events, markets, and social gatherings.  

Their stories serve as a reminder that successful projects are ultimately measured not just by their completion, but by the people they serve.

Optimism for the Next Chapter 

When asked what gives them the most optimism about RS&H’s future, the answers once again centered on people. 

Briehn spoke emotionally about the ongoing handoff between generations. Having benefited from mentorship throughout her career, she now sees herself helping the next generation develop while simultaneously learning from them. The exchange of ideas, perspectives, and experiences creates momentum that keeps the organization moving forward.  

Billie highlighted RS&H’s commitment to helping associates grow and the collaborative environment that allows learning to flow in every direction, regardless of title or tenure.  

Mitchell pointed to leaders who actively invest in developing younger associates and creating opportunities that accelerate growth and learning. 

Those perspectives offer a fitting reflection on an 85-year milestone. Organizations do not endure simply because of the projects they complete. They endure because people share knowledge, invest in one another, and continually create opportunities for the next generation to contribute. 

The anniversary art contest may have begun as a celebration of creativity. In the end, it became a celebration of something even more important: the people whose ideas, mentorship, curiosity, and collaboration continue to shape RS&H’s future, one contribution at a time.