WP Engine powers the liberty to create on-line, and our dedication to this goes far past our instruments and platform.
We present our dedication to the builders liable for creating distinctive digital experiences by internet hosting thought management occasions, producing informative webinars, and creating showcases like Crafted With Code, which highlights spectacular tasks constructed on the world’s favourite CMS.
However it’s inside WP Engine workplaces across the globe the place you’ll discover the true supply of our energy: our folks. They make it attainable for us to help our group in artistic and significant methods.
Just lately, a frontrunner of one among WP Engine’s worker useful resource teams (ERGs) took that artistic spirit to new heights, organizing a dwell artwork occasion at our Omaha hub that makes use of art work to attach, educate, and help a charitable trigger. After a brief exhibition within the WP Engine Omaha workplace, their completed piece can be auctioned for charity.
Learn on for the story behind this significant occasion, and the way WP Engine is powering the liberty to create, each on-line and in the actual world!
Rise and WP Engine’s ERGs
ERGs are voluntary, employee-led teams devoted to fostering office inclusivity. These teams empower staff to carry their distinctive views to work and contribute to a supportive, high-trust atmosphere.
“All of us wish to be seen, heard, revered, understood—to really feel comfy being our genuine selves within the office,” says Tarsha McCormick, VP of DEI, Tradition, & Growth at WP Engine.
“So the significance of our DEI applications and ERGs is to create and foster environments the place everybody can thrive and do their greatest work.”
Rise is one among WP Engine’s longest-standing ERGs. Its mission is to offer a protected, inclusive atmosphere for the development, advocacy, and schooling of BIPOC and allies. Members use their distinctive skills and pursuits to advance this mission, internet hosting occasions, bringing in audio system, and conducting impactful initiatives all year long.
“I turned a frontrunner with the Rise ERG as a result of I noticed it as a possibility to do one thing larger than my day-to-day,” says Jason “Geo” Geolingo, a product supervisor and Rise chief based mostly in our Omaha workplace. “I noticed it as a platform I can use to influence my group whereas persevering with to coach myself on social points.”
WP Engine’s continued dedication to investing in our ERGs has helped construct tighter group bonds throughout our world hubs, bringing teammates collectively to collaborate on tasks that have an effect on lives each inside and outdoors the workplace.
The artwork occasion in Omaha
Throughout a dialogue with Rise management, Geo first thought of utilizing artwork to attach, educate, and do some good locally, all within the context of Rise’s mission.
“Via this explicit occasion, I actually wish to display the stance that WP Engine has on range, fairness, and inclusion,” says Geo.
“I really feel that is the time for us to make an announcement about the place we stand and what we consider: that work ought to be an area the place staff really feel protected to debate troublesome subjects.”
Geo shared this concept together with his tattoo artist, Russ Oberg, throughout one among their classes. Oberg, who would go on to create the commissioned art work, was drawn in by the concept that artwork supplies a novel perspective.
“I really feel like artwork is usually used because the voice of a group,” says Oberg.
“Whether or not it’s a city-funded mural or graffiti on the streets, artwork has an influence, from the person stage all the best way as much as a communal stage.”
Geo’s unique idea was to fee the creation of a chunk that asks viewers to consider the variations between fairness and equality—how every time period is outlined, and the way the variations between the 2 can play out in the actual world.
As a know-how firm and since Rise’s mission extends throughout the globe, Geo additionally wished to dwell stream the creation of the art work in order that any WP Engine worker might log in and watch the method. In additional methods than one, this art work was geared toward creating group, connection, and understanding.
On August 8, 2024, a small crew arrange area within the WP Engine Omaha workplace the place Oberg might paint and convey his imaginative and prescient to life.
The completed piece is a fable set to canvas. It exhibits a scene of two rabbits, every wanting to offer for its household. A dragon items every rabbit with a mountain, however the mountains are unequal in sources. Whereas every has been given the identical resolution for his or her downside, a disparity nonetheless exists of their outcomes as a result of distinctive circumstances of every rabbit’s atmosphere.
“I wouldn’t say that I hope the viewers learns any particular lesson,” says Oberg.
“Moreso, I hope it invokes a deeper thought that may be translated into different sides of life. I hope viewers make connections to their very own experiences and apply these reflections of their every day lives.”
After just a few closing touch-ups, the artwork now hangs within the WP Engine Omaha hub. Leaders are at the moment discussing plans to create and promote prints of the work to lift further funds in addition to future plans to public sale the unique piece. All proceeds from each the prints and the public sale will go to a Rise associate charity group in Omaha.
Powering the liberty to create, in Omaha and past
From our merchandise and platform to our group outreach and occasions, WP Engine powers the liberty to create in a myriad of the way.
The chance to energy the creation of impactful art work in Omaha wouldn’t have been attainable with out the assistance of many individuals, together with many WP Engine crew members. We’re grateful to everybody concerned, together with our artist Russ Oberg, for his or her dedication to this impactful mission, and we’re excited to see the influence this mission continues to make as soon as it’s auctioned for charity.
To study extra about WP Engine’s worker useful resource teams, go to this web page.
To study extra about Russ Oberg and his artwork, go to his Instagram.
