In the wake of the tragic collapse of the 35W Bridge in Minneapolis, AIGA Minnesota (of which I was a board member at the time) wanted to find a way of contributing to the relief efforts for those affected most. We wanted to do something to help, but we didn’t want to just give money. We knew that we could have a much greater impact by using our members’ talents to say something unique about the tragedy. To that end, the organization solicited posters from local designers that reflect some aspect of the 35W Bridge collapse. Then, on November 8, 2007, each one-of-a-kind, gallery-quality poster was put on sale through silent auction during an exhibition of the work at Spill The Wine, a restaurant located just blocks from the bridge collapse site. All proceeds went to benefit the Minnesota Helps—Bridge Disaster Fund.

As project coordinator, I made all of the arrangements, created the promotional materials, found a printing sponsor, and designed the post-event book, with the complete collection of posters. I also wrote the press release, which resulted in a story in the Pioneer Press, an interview on local radio, and mentions on local television stations.

Christelle Langer, vice president of marketing and communications for The Minneapolis Foundation, said the poster project “has been a wonderful illustration of the way this community gathers together, and provides its resources—money, time and talent—to help each other in a time of need.”