by Jean Heyer
Marketing Director
VEE Corporation
Minneapolis, MN
and Jill Palmquist
The Situation: VEE Corporation was selected by The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in Milwaukee, WI, to take concepts to final design and then build and install the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home exhibit.
Everyone knows Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. Their famous lines, “Only you can prevent forest fires,” and “Give a hoot, don’t pollute,” are not only fun and familiar to every generation, they’ve played a huge part in the USDA Forest Service’s ongoing tradition of reaching out to Americans on behalf of conservation.
It seemed, then, like a natural fit for the USDA Forest Service to collaborate with The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum to create a program that would inspire children to discover and care for the natural resources that sustain their world. Betty Brinn staff members developed content and feature concepts for an interactive experience with these characters. Then VEE Corporations’s Production Services Division brought the 1,500 square foot traveling exhibit to life.
The Challenge: Creating an exhibit that can travel, is durable, will last 10 years and can be built within the client’s budget, is just business as usual for VEE. This time, however, we knew it was important to integrate our client’s message of sustainability into the proposal. We challenged ourselves to extend the philosophy of being environmentally friendly and crafted the exhibit from recycled and sustainable materials whenever possible. From previous experience. Betty Brinn knew VEE was resourceful, and that our corporate philosophy included leveraging the three R’s of environmental sustainability: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This time, they were excited to see what VEE could do to take it to the next level.
The Solution: Since we at VEE were building an exhibit that emphasizes the importance of protecting ecosystems, we were diligent about using our own resources the same way.
For framing and structure, VEE used farmed, sustainable wood. The Museum and VEE worked together to take a completely different approach to creating trees, using innovative technology, products, and techniques that truly created a greener exhibit. Whenever possible, we used materials that emit little or no chemicals and water-based paints. VEE also worked to eliminate as much waste as possible, designing exhibit components that were not only able to be refurbished, repaired and reused over many years, but were also light in weight, saving on transportation costs and fuel emissions. The journey through this project was amazing and the final destination was just as delightful. We arrived there on time and on budget.
It was challenging, but VEE discovered and developed new practices and possibilities that allowed us to provide the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and the USDA Forest Service with an interactive exhibit that not only entertains and educates, but encourages kids to be conscientious caretakers of their world. Everyone who experiences Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home feels keen on green, and VEE feels privileged to be part of an exhibit that truly inspires. eb
