In Fall 2023, Westfield Washington Schools had the extraordinary honor of welcoming First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to Westfield High School. As part of her national campaign to address youth mental health, Dr. Biden visited to speak with students involved in Robbie’s Hope—a student-led club focused on teen suicide prevention.
This nationally-covered event was a major undertaking, and I had the privilege of working alongside my team on every aspect of the planning and execution. From initial logistics and event flow to decor and external promotion, we ensured that every detail reflected the importance of the occasion.
One of the most meaningful parts of this experience for me was designing and illustrating the “Welcome to Westfield” mural that served as the visual centerpiece for the ceremony. Contributing both creatively and strategically to such a high-profile event was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience—one that showcased the power of collaboration, storytelling, and community pride.
Our team captured Dr. Biden's visit and later had the task of strategically highlighint the event on social media. We understood the political nature of such a large-scale event so we were diligent in analyzing the overall online response. Our official photography was also sent out and used by local media sources.
One of the most challenging and time-crunched projects of my life, I had less than 48 hours to conceptualize and illustrate a mural that would be the backdrop for Dr. Biden's visit. This mural was meant to greet the guests while also showcasing school pride. Through the use of warm tones, the mural serves as a charming invitation to. While warm and inviting, it also boasts the school's bold presence in the community-a force certainly to be reckoned with in Westfield. The airplane serves as a nod to Dr. Biden's airport visit to Indianapolis.
The mural made two separate appearances throughout the event. The first was in a small classroom where Dr. Biden held a private conversation with students. The second appearance was at the press conference, in a room with a hundred-person audience. This meant that the mural had to be intricately redesigned to meet the different dimensions of each room, while still maintaining the integrity of my original design. It was a fun challenge and an honor to be hand-selected to create this art piece. (And yes, I got a signed version of my poster!)