Creative Workshops and Tasty Pairings

As part of our corporate culture we set aside time every few weeks to explore a design topic.  As professional development a topic is chosen and each team member (and interns too!) get to research and present their findings.  Since our entire team is made up of avid foodies we each volunteer to bring a surprise aperitif for the team.  Michael out did himself with roast lamb on crustini with mint aioli, paired with mint juleps to celebrate Kentucky Derby week.  Oh yes, and our design topic... was focusing on the use of icons and key objects in exhibitry.

Interns & Volunteers

For many years Andre & Associates has offered an exhibit planning and design internship program.  This year was exceptional.  We were pleased to be flooded with resumes from talented applicants for internships from all over North America!  

This Spring we were thrilled to have (from left to right) Miko Betanzo (volunteer) as well as Irma Rodenhuis (University of Victoria Intern), Carlyn Clifford (Grant MacEwan University Intern), and Alandra Miller (volunteer) join our team!

Carlyn and Alandra worked together to create a scale model for the 20th Anniversary of the  Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Exhibition we are creating for the Valdez Museum and Historical Archives.  This model will be donated to the museum to assist in the fundraising process. This model was created using 98% recycled materials.

Alandra, always cheerful and game for any challenge, finishes up the walls.

Miko, a gifted artist, worked on developing his media skills.

Irma's internship will continue through August 2010.  Stay tuned for the developments of her exciting project!

Working With the Information

Bianca, Tom and Nick work out storyboards for the Wanapum Heritage Center.

Meanwhile, back at the office, Andy down loads the digital files...

And the team transcribes the memorable stories.

Filming Commences for Wanapum Heritage Center Project

As part of project objectives for the new Wanapum Heritage Center, Bianca, Tom and Nick Johnson (videographer) recently drove south to interview Wanapum community members for interactive and video units within their forthcoming Center. The rusty-red basaltic beauty of the hills along the Columbia around Wanapum village were lightly furred with spring green, and the sun shone brilliantly, intermittently filtered by white clouds, (playing havoc with light levels during filming). We shared the traditional Wanapum hospitality of a supper in the longhouse with members of the Grant County PUD prior to a walkthrough, by Bianca, of exhibit design progress to date. We were mobbed by an enthusiastic younger generation, eager to participate in the running of the new Center. They are a key focus group and their ideas will be incorporated as the exhibits are developed.

We filmed interviews in the Longhouse and outside on the village site, getting fine footage of both net weaving and string making. Those Wanapum that we interviewed were generous with their time, their life stories, and their eloquence. We are honored to have a part in helping to transmit these stories and traditions, not only to Heritage Center visitors, but also to future generations of Wanapum. The oral tradition is very strong in the Wanapum community, as is the teaching and the passing on of traditional ways of living.

We thank all those who made the sessions so successful.


Bianca Message and Nick Johnson film an interview.

Tom Palfrey lines up a shot.