Tenhulzen’s Twelve
The Poster That Started a Tradition
Before movie-inspired posters became a yearly celebration, there was Tenhulzen’s Twelve. This poster launched an unexpected tradition that blends creativity, teamwork, and Design | Build culture. It started with a simple desire to take a company photo. Yet it quickly evolved into something much bigger—an event, an experience, and a story still remembered.
The walls of our design center already displayed movie posters. So the first challenge was choosing which poster to replicate. That decision sparked a creative process that shaped not only the photo, but the future of our AVATAR program.
The Event That Set Everything in Motion
This idea began with a Kirkland Performance Center auction package. We purchased an evening of theater access without knowing how we would use it. After months of brainstorming, we chose to transform the venue into a celebration honoring our vendors, trade partners, and associates.
More than 150 guests filled the theater for our first Annual Vendor And Trade Awards Recognition (A.V.A.T.A.R.) event. We hosted it in theatre, complete with stage lighting, professional atmosphere, and a dramatic reveal of our theme-driven Design|Build approach.
Guests pre-registered and received backstage passes. The experience included beer, wine, appetizers, and a lasagna dinner woven between a two-part awards ceremony. Presentations highlighted our emerging brand identity, introduced our thematic marketing style, and set the tone for years ahead.
Clever Content and Scrabble-Style Inspiration
The creative details ran deeper than the poster image. The word “creative” itself is worth 12 points in Scrabble—just like Tenhulzen’s Twelve. AVATAR stands for Annual Vendor And Trade Awards Recognition, reinforcing our purpose clearly. At the time, we also had 12 employees, which became a fun connection—24 thumbs up in total.
Mac MacDonald emceed the ceremony with presenters including Chris Ballard, Dan Davidson, Carol Didier, and Ryan Gaylord. Their energy supported the event and gave the evening professional polish.
We also honored our first round of AVATAR award winners:
- Tenhulzen Painting – Safety Award
- Rosemary Photography – Memorable Moment
- Sterling Electric – Reliable Service
- Ronda Webb – Creative Solution
- Cary Longmire – Customer Service
- Dunn Lumber – Vendor of the Year
- Riley & Sons Drywall – Trade Contractor of the Year
These winners set the foundation for the recognition program we still host today.
Costumes, Characters, and a Thrift Store Treasure Hunt
Recreating the movie poster required creativity and improvisation. We spent 45 minutes at Value Village in Woodinville searching for outfits. The mission was simple: find ten costumes that mirrored the original movie poster for under $200.
Each person became a character based on clothing style and fit. Our “grease man” emerged when he proudly selected a jacket from the women’s section. The moment sparked laughter, identity, and personality—all captured in the final image.
Lights, Camera, Camaraderie
The photo shoot became far more entertaining than anyone expected. Working alongside our photographer felt natural and fun. Adult beverages kept the environment relaxed as everyone stepped into character.
To simulate movement, we choreographed a synchronized walk, stepping together again and again. From roughly fifty shots, we narrowed the selection to fifteen strong images. One final frame became the official Tenhulzen’s Twelve poster.
More important than the poster itself was what happened during the process. People connected, laughed, collaborated, and shared an experience that strengthened the team.
The Beginning of a Legacy
Tenhulzen’s Twelve marked the first chapter of a creative marketing tradition that continues today. It blended performance, personality, and the craft of building homes with the art of storytelling. That night did more than capture a photo—it built camaraderie, celebrated partners, and set the tone for every AVATAR poster that followed.
The poster hangs as a reminder of where it began. The tradition lives on, and the best chapters continue to unfold—one poster at a time.
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