Live Animal Study
Visual art workshop featuring live animals in a unique and educational setting
Event Coordination | Email and Social Media CRM | Website and Registration | Vendor Management
“Christina brought energy, organizational skills and vital networking to the project. Within a few short weeks, she had all the key components in place and we’d sold out the first of what grew to be a successful and highly anticipated annual event.”
— Laurelin Sitterly, humane educator, artist and Live Animal Study instructor
The Challenge
For years, humane educator and artist Laurelin Sitterly dreamed of teaching a STEAM-based workshop featuring live exotic and domestic animals in one of RISD's most treasured settings: the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab. Concerns for the needs of live animals (rescues from the animal shelter, now beloved classroom visitors), the historic venue's taxidermy specimens, and the school’s cross-disciplinary approach to events required extensive coordination and communication between multiple non-profit entities and a familiarity with the target audience of artists.
The Approach
Christina marketed this event as an inspirational field trip for artists to practice their craft amidst a unique environment; enjoy presentations on each creature's basic anatomy, movement, and habits; and network with peers. She sent targeted communications to local affinity groups based in New England. Expectations were high and managed with an extensive FAQ on the event registration website and exemplary customer service, providing information on art supplies allowed, age restrictions, and other guidelines to access the secure area.
The Results
Tickets for this event were highly coveted and sold out within 24 hours every year during its 5-year run. Live Animal Study was also a fundraiser that raised hundreds of dollars' worth of donated supplies and funds for select non-profit animal shelters. It was an annual favorite amongst local RISD graduates and children’s illustrators, kept fresh and engaging with a rotating cast of live animal “models” and fantastic event logos and artwork that Christina sourced from award-winning local artists.
Logo by Gaia Cornwall
Art by Jesse Smolover
Notable attendees included professional illustrators: Jorge Lacera, Robert Squier, Terri Weidner, Ernie D'Elia, Priscilla Alpaugh, Bonnie Branson and John Lechner.
