A fun poster project from earlier this month with Tim Simons for Friends of LAHSA’s Third Annual Benefit night. The concept emerged from the Highschool of the Performing Arts current location on the former site of the historic Ambassador Hotel, which was home to the Coconut Grove Nightclub, and how that might be a source for visual inspiration for a gala poster.
In researching the history and design of the buildings I also became enamored with the venue for the event, the Wilshire Ebell Theater which is owned and operated by the Los Angeles Women's Organization (founded in 1894) with the current campus designed by architect Sumner Hunt and built in 1927. The Ebell has an incredible history of speakers and events, including but not limited to the final public appearance of Amelia Earhart.
Our brainstorming became an exploration of how the history and presence of the Coconut Grove, the Ebell and the nights performers, Jamie Lee and Luke Null might overlap. The comedians were amazing to research, the spaces were all larger than life, and there was also this statue in the courtyard that stuck in my head as timeless and epic.
The three sketch concepts were variations on the themes of scale and history. The palm tree statue sketch had the quickest read, so that became the goal of trying to develop it into something that felt grounded and believable as a little historic artifact but also would hold up for promoting the event over the next few weeks. Also three large format prints were made as commemorations of the night, which was fun to see come together.
A few alternates and process experiment variation here as well. Overall super fun, would recommend. Thanks to Tim, Annie, Jamie Lee, Luke Null and everyone involved.
