Artist Ann Voyles lived the horrors of the Vietnam War in Laos, yet recorded Southeast Asian beauty in her sketches and paintings throughout the '60s and '70s. International and American diplomats, corporate executives as well as Asian Royalty were among her patrons. She returned home to the United States in mid-'70s to care for her mother and raise her son, and became a well-known residential and commercial designer for more than 20 years in Oklahoma, acquiring national accounts as well. Voyles' successful career as an artist and designer came to an end in the late '90s with a serious knee injury at a job site, along with surviving cancer, forced her into what she thought was early retirement. Today, the 65-year-old cancer-survivor is a Metro Technology Center graphic arts student and far from retiring. She is one of thousands of adult students enrolled in programs throughout Oklahoma's CareerTech system, who are being trained or retrained for today's work force. "All I wanted to do in Computer Graphic Design was learn how to use the Photoshop program, since it's so very powerful," Voyles said. "I have nearly 20,000 slides and photos of my travels and design job sites and wanted to edit and burn them onto CDs (computer disks)." Painting of Meo tribeswoman with child in backpack. Ann Voyles, second from left, listens to the Prime Minister of Laos, His Royal Highness Prince Souvanna Phouma, along with US Diplomats and Laos Art school representatives, during an art exhibit promoting cultural understanding. When she enrolled at Metro Tech and realized that she could also earn college credit through the course, her wheels started turning. "This was an opportunity to relearn many basics in such things as color, design and typography," Voyles said. "Photoshop is now on the back burner." It was during the ‘60s that Voyles returned to her artistic skills that would forever change her life. She soaked up the Asian fine artistic style and culture, then used her feel for art to begin a career that would make her known around the world. Voyles’ designs are in such diverse collections as those of the late Dr. Christian Barnard of Capetown, South Africa and Malta (who performed the world’s first human heart transplant); Dr. Henry Kissinger; U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole from North Carolina, former Cabinet member serving as secretary of transportation and secretary of labor under two presidents, as well as being a former president of the American Red Cross; OSU-Detroit Lions’ Barry Sanders and OU’s Barry Switzer. "Now I want to take what I know about art and design and learn to apply it through computerized graphic design," Voyles said. But, Voyles has not only enrolled in a course. She has joined SkillsUSA-VICA, the CareerTech student organization that supports trade and industrial education. Last spring in the student organization's state competitions Voyles' presented the topic, "A Senior's Perspective on Stepping Up to Success" in the prepared speech category. Her presentation earned a first place award at state and a place in competition at Kansas City where she represented Oklahoma at the SkillsUSA-VICA National Leadership Conference. Voyles says that she has paid a price for seeing the world, living through floods, coups d'etat and bombings. At times she's lived a dangerous, poor and simple life. Now, she has survived cancer and physical injury, but she doesn't dwell there. Instead, she is thankful for discovering CareerTech. Ann Voyles original sketch for birth announcement, a self portrait with baby. "CareerTech has given me an entire new life," Voyles said. "I feel like an old cat being - perhaps - on my sixth life now." She's beginning that journey from hands-on fine arts to computerized graphic arts with the help of her instructor Anita Parks. "Without Oklahoma's incredible CareerTech system, there would really be no place in our state to get what is afforded me on Metro Tech's South Bryant Campus under Mrs. Parks' tutelage. Mrs. Parks is a consummate professional, highly respected in her field in Oklahoma for her accomplishments and receiving national recognition as well. “We students are indeed fortunate that such an exceptional person chooses to share her experience and skills with us. Mrs. Parks’ work ethic is admirable, she’s an outstanding role model and inspires her students to excel. I'm so grateful to be where I am.” That's why Voyles has been named a CareerTech Champion, said Dr. Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech interim state director. "CareerTech Champions are alumni of Oklahoma's Career and Technology Education system programs or student organizations who have found success in a career and attribute much of that success to their CareerTech experience." "I was the oldest student participating at the state conference and at nationals, too," Voyles said. "But, I take pride in my age and want others to know that just because you grow older does not mean it is too late to learn something new." With the skills she has learned through Metro Tech and Skills USA-VICA, Voyles plans to continue going to school after she completes her graphics arts course. She has earned college credits, which she plans to use towards getting an associates degree in graphic communications from OSU-OKC, while taking additional courses in marketing and creative writing. "Throughout my life I have had to overcome many obstacles," Voyles said. "Now I want people to know how CareerTech helps older students to reenter the work force, just as they have helped me." Related Links Oklahoma Skills USA-VICA Metro Tech
		Story by: Jeremy Porter Communications and Marketing Intern E-mail: jport@okcareertech.org posted 7/15/2003

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