Let me start by saying this was by far the best Stencil1 event ever! Let me tell you why. First, the space. Converse generously offered me their community-based recording studios, RUBBER TRACKS to hold my event. This former warehouse was beyond fitting with it’s street art murals, cool lounge areas, and a stage normally for bands, in this case for the craft area. This was the first art party held in the space, normally it’s music events!
You know what else makes a cool event, a cool media sponsor. COOL HUNTING. There’s history to tell. CH was the first to write up my little old company Stencil1 in 2004! This lead to the NY Times calling, and so on. Very grateful to the crew at Cool Hunting for sponsoring and introducing me to BUSHMILLS. Yes, the drinks were provided by Bushmills Irish Whiskey. I can’t count how many people were thrilled to be able to make something while having a delicious drink made from their whiskey with Polar Seltzer mixers(vanilla pear was my choice of the night!).Oh and what’s a party without music. Great music that is. The Broken Arms Crew hooked it up!
Ah yes, the creative part…With generous donations from Pebeo Fabric paint, Stained by Sharpie fabric markers, DIY Bangles, Art Alternatives wood panels, canvas sticky patches and stencil brushes, ColorBox by ClearSnap ink pads, and more brushes and supplies from Plaid, we all had so many choices! we made several stations – you could stencil a Converse white t-shirt, a wooden bangle bracelet, a wooden circular ornament, wooden panels, canvas patches, and give a try at stenciling Converse hightops.
My staff not only assisted in the crafts, they hooked up the chalkboard at the space with our social media contests. We asked all who attended to use hashtag Stencil1Style on images they took in the space. The lucky winner would receive a milkcrate of creative supplies!
Everyone posed in front of a canvas backdrop I painted with two 6 foot pigeons on it. Many more event photos on our facebook page. They all left with whatever they made plus a hand spray-painted gift bag filled with samples from the sponsors as well as a Stencil1 journal. For all those that were a part of the making of this event, I am extremely grateful for your help and for those of you who attended I hope you had as much fun as me! Be on the lookout for more customizing events, we have plans for many in 2013!
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