Name: Coach turned artist Mark Butts reflects on person GROWTH
Start: 2025-11-21T08:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-21T10:00:00-05:00
Location: The Creative Well Arts Foundation

Coach turned artist Mark Butts reflects on person GROWTH throughout his career and life
The Creative Well Arts Foundation at 536 Virginia Beach Blvd. FREE Parking at Hearth 605 Virginia Beach Boulevard across the street.
Light refreshments provided at 830am– bring your own reusable mug for coffee. Come network with your creative community. The talk begins promptly at 9am followed by Q&A.
This event is supported in part by grants to the ViBe Creative District nonprofit the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Mark Butts
Retired Educator, Coach, Artist, and Mentor
Mark Butts devoted 38 years to Virginia Beach City Public Schools, leaving a lasting legacy as both an educator and coach. His career included teaching and coaching roles at Hermitage Elementary, Salem Junior High School, Green Run High School, and First Colonial High School. Known for his unwavering commitment to student development, Mark was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1986, and received multiple coaching accolades including Beach District Coach of the Year (2007, 2020) and Eastern Region Coach of the Year (2020). In 2007, he was named Sports Person of the Year by the Virginia Beach Sports Club.
A graduate of Virginia Wesleyan University, Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art Education in 1979. As a standout athlete in men’s basketball, he set multiple records and was inducted into the Virginia Wesleyan Hall of Fame. His collegiate achievements include being named MVP in 1979, two-time All-South Region, two-time All-Dixie Conference, and 1979 Converse All-American Honorable Mention. Prior to transferring to Virginia Wesleyan, Mark also studied at Tidewater Community College and a New Jersey community college, experiences that helped shape his academic and athletic journey.
Mark’s artistic style is deeply influenced by pop art and architectural form. His “building portraits” feature geometric and organic shapes, emphasizing letters, numbers, and colors found in societal structures. Rather than realistic depictions, his work invites viewers to fill in the visual gaps, creating a personal and reflective experience.
In retirement, Mark continues to serve his community through volunteer and mentorship roles, supporting students both academically and personally. He remains active in athletics as an assistant basketball coach at Virginia Beach Middle School. When not coaching or mentoring, he enjoys golfing, painting, and spending time with his wife, two adult children, and three grandchildren.