Focusing on a renovation for the 100 year old theatre, the board wanted to update the existing, hard to read donor recognition panels and they wanted to include past and present donors. At the beginning of the renovation stage is when we were asked to scout a location for the new donor wall. Within moments of entering the new atrium lobbywe knew where the new donor panel should be located. A 30’ x 20’ wall next to the concession counter was the perfect spot to give the most visibility and recognize the generous donors. The beautiful floor length windows opposite the proposed donor wall allowed viewing from the street, even when the theatre was closed. Throughout the ornate theatre there are spectacular plaster theatrical masks, so when we picked the iconic tragedy/comedy theatrical masks for the overall design, it seemed a natural fit. We began by hand drawing the masks, and then through graphic art a pointillist art piece was designed. Composed of individual, black matt Plexiglas pieces with screened names, each size denotes giving level and a star represents prior status. Most importantly they are easy to read.
Because the Theatre Board wanted to make sure all of the arts were represented, a custom wallpaper ribbon with other theatre concerns was developed for the center of the donor wall. The tragedy/comedy faces were a focal point in the spacious new lobby.
Sadly, because of the devastating flood of June 2008, the Paramount Theatre is closed and the spectacular donor recognition wall no longer exists.