Carrie Chavers to compete on The Blox web TV series

Feb. 19—Carrie Chavers, local artist and business owner, will compete against dozens of entrepreneurs from across the U.S. this spring.

Chavers has been selected as a contestant for The Blox web TV series with her decade-strong business, The Chickasha Art Center.

The Blox is a reality web TV show bootcamp for entrepreneurs, small business owners and startups. Including Chavers, 60 contestants were chosen from about 10,000 applicants who will participate in challenges and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

The show will be filmed in March at the Osage Casino and Resort in Tulsa and will air in May. Chavers said she feels fortunate the show will film in Oklahoma instead of Missouri this year, since contestants are responsible for their own travel costs.

She said the opportunity will help her learn to be a more savvy business owner and make decisions to move The Chickasha Art Center forward. She looks forward to networking with other entrepreneurs and coming back empowered from the experience.

"I feel like I've already won," Chavers said. "I feel like I'm representing my family and hometown. I'm going to do the very best I can."

Between now and filming for The Blox, Chavers has been practicing her public speaking skills at a champion level. She has spoken in front of Chickasha Rotary and is the guest speaker for the Successful Business Women's Series Luncheon on March 4. She has also worked with Katie Davis at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma to combat any remaining stage fright. On top of this, Chavers is no stranger to talking in front of a crowd, She was an art teacher for 32 years, 22 of those years at the Chickasha High School.

At the Chickasha Art Center, Chavers has led several Paint on Canvas Workshops, Kids' Art Camps and offered portraits of people and pets. During the pandemic, Chavers adapted her business by offering art-to-go kits.

Chavers' murals are stretched across the canvas of Chickasha. She's painted portraits of pop stars on the walls of Legends Pub House & Venue. She's brought storybook characters to life in the children's area of the Chickasha Public Library. Her work can be seen at the Chickasha Police Department, A&E Grill, the Grady County Election Board and multiple window murals over the years. Moreover, she and a team of artists painted Christmas hay bales with one of the most prominent pieces along Grand Ave. Most recently, she has worked with Chet Hitt for work on the old Savoy Hotel, painted the monkey wall at The Jungle Ice Fun Zone and a pizza menu mural at The Flower Shop Winery and Pizzeria.

Chavers said she is thankful to the business owners and leaders who have contributed to her success as well as the team of young artists and college students who have contributed their talents.

"They brings such fresh life to my business," she said.

Chavers said she is also thankful for her family's support. She has often taught classes and workshops alongside her son, Sean Brown, who is now an art teacher in Norman.

Chavers said that when she opened the Chickasha Art Center in October 2014, a lot of the work came naturally from her experience as a teacher.

"The business part of it I'm just learning on the fly all the time," Chavers said.

Learn more about The Blox at https://www.betablox.com/theblox/home.

Learn more about The Chickasha Art Center at https://www.thechickashaartcenter.com/.