Groovy Gala

About the project

Opportunity Partners celebrated their 70th year of providing services to adults with disabilities in 2023. In turn, we decided to incorporate a ’70s theme into the annual Gala! This event hosts around 400 people, including donors, staff, persons served, and families. It is an exciting occasion to come together and raise funds for Opportunity Partners.

I provided all print and digital design assets for this Gala. The Gala was in April 2023, and I started conceptualizing the theme and design in August of 2022. I like to make every design stand out on it’s own, while keeping an overall cohesive look.

Print assets included sponsorship brochures, save the dates, invitations, envelopes, invitation inserts, raffle tickets (OP’s first Gala raffle), foam board sponsorship signs, silent auction category and item description signs, and a foam board welcome sign.

Digital assets included social media graphics, email headers and graphics, presentation slides during the live program, lower thirds for live stream, a transformation video, and a mission moment video.

I was able to use my event design skills and decide on all decor for the Gala! I kept the theme cohesive with orange and gold linens, table numbers using 45 RPM records, floral arrangements, and take-home greeting card packs (featuring art from people with disabilities)! My favorite piece of decor was the photo booth camper, courteousy of Northerly Photo Booth Camper. The photo booth camper really tied the theme together and added a fun activity for the guests to do during the social hour!

A fun added project I came up with was a “Mission Wall.” I knew I wanted to incorporate vinyl records into the overall design, but how could I make it impactful? I imagined having records hanging on a backdrop and each record would feature a person Opportunity Partners serves. My coworker and I gathered about 30 quotes and photos and got to work. I printed the photos on a 4″ round label and my coworker and I hand-lettered every quote and name on each record. I installed each piece on the day of the Gala, and guests ended up using it as a backdrop for many photos! I love incorporating my crafting background into my work, and this project was so fulfilling to see come to life.