Thomas Cole Historic Site Benefit 2011

The third in a series of Thomas Cole fundraisers, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Thomas Cole Museum. This year's photo-op backdrop consisted of two 8-foot numbers surrounded by mylar stars, modeled here by two local 10's (Brett and Justin) who generously helped for 3 days with the event.

The design focused on the birthday theme, hinted at by the invitation which included a single balloon tied to Thomas Cole's easel.

On the back on all 330 chairs was tied a single red or fuchsia balloon on a red string in various lengths conforming to the height of the tent. The coolest effect of this design is that not until you physically enter the tent do you see the 300+ balloons, making for a great (birthday) surprise! The color scheme continued with red and fuchsia tablecloth and contrasting napkins. Locally grown and donated centerpieces ( by Story's Farm in Palenville) with geraniums and other flowers in a 4th of July color scheme finished off the design.

As you can see, the event was held at an estate with a breath-taking view of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and Hudson River ( and two of Geoff's helpers, Will and Brian)

Special holographic laser lighting by Hudson Talbot.

A spectacular fireworks display, set off down the hill from the main tent, capped off the evening's festivities with  BANG and some OOOHS and AAAHHS

 Thomas Cole National Historic Site (where American art was born)

LYONEL FEININGER DINNER AT THE WHITNEY

To celebrate the opening of the late German expressionist artist Lyonel Feininger's exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art, we were asked to design the members only dinner party. Inspired by Feininger's frequent use of architectural imagery (in particular, arches), Geoff designed zig-zag folding screens made of homosote to create a whimsical architectural folly. The chartreuse tablecloths and soft pink palette of the floral centerpieces are reminiscent of his color palette. The next evening, the same decor was re-used for the public opening, an event for several thousand people.

 

Here's a look at a few of Feininger's paintings which inspired Geoff's design:

Lyonel Feininger: At the Edge of The World
June 30 - October 16 @ The Whitney

Geoff Howell Studio: behind the scenes on 22nd St.

Here's a recent look at our team of trusty carpenters and crew in the midst of production for various projects. Photos snapped by one of our own talents, Angelo.

Sunglass Hut

NEVER HIDE! is the new slogan of Sunglass Hut's latest promotion for interchangeable lenses. For the window on the right, we produced a series of mechanized lenses that moved up and down, behind the FLIP OUT vinyl on the window.

Inside the store, we installed a series of floor-to-ceiling photographs interspersed with video projections of floating lenses which you can see above in the 'shades' of blue.

Elite Enclave

Back in sparkly Las Vegas,  a fancy jewelry fair was held at the Mandalay Bay. And in that fair there was a special location for high-end designers, the new and exclusive Elite Enclave...

Within the Enclave, New York designer Temple St. Clair had a special niche, made more special by us! Working with their team, we created and installed framed images, jewelry vitrines, vinyl signage and cabinetry.