The Making of the Waxy Awards for the Hollywood Wax Museum

A little history about the Hollywood Wax Museum:

The Hollywood Wax Museum, located on Hollywood Boulevard along the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, is the longest running wax museum in the history of the United States, with more than 48 years of continuous operation by the same owners since 1965.

--HollywoodWaxMuseum.com/

In the fall of 2012, for their new Waxy Awards program, they commissioned MK Shannon to interpret and copy their company's highly-recognized outdoor display sign (shown here).

This design is very complex and required several days work to construct as a model for final approval by the owner (see mockup in black and white). The original artwork had to be redrawn to make it suitable for model making and casting. Aileen Stein, Director of Corporate Communications for Kuvera Partners Inc., was tireless in her efforts to co-ordinate this project quickly and efficiently, assisting MK at every turn and providing excellent support. This project could not have succeeded without her.

Once the designs to be modeled and cast were approved, MK constructed the model, worked with the mold-maker, and oversaw final assembly of the cast parts. Five awards were completed and plated in Sterling Silver for the first Waxy Awards event at the new Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (see photo of final Waxy Award).

Within four weeks and a lot of phone calls, emails, and hard work, the awards were completed and shipped. Aileen's comments say it all: "Approved. It's looking great. Please proceed. Thanks so much for your amazing effort!"

These are the names of the 5 WAXY AWARDS presented on October 24, 2012 and their recipients:

WAXY AWARD—Creativity: Studio Y Creations

WAXY AWARD—Excellence: D and S Builders

WAXY AWARD—Community Service: Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains

WAXY AWARD—Camaraderie: City of Pigeon Forge Community Development

WAXY AWARD—Founder's Award: Chanchil Sundher

The Special Event Show in San Diego Special For Us Too!

Jenny Hamilton of Jenny Hamilton Weddings is my Irish "cousin" don't you know! She is seen here posing with me and my customizable award named Appreciation in front of our tradeshow booth at this year’s Special Event Show. I appreciate that Jenny has traveled all the way from Ireland to be at The Special Event here in San Diego. We managed to get in a little chat time and even a side trip to the Hotel Del Coronado. The weather was just beautiful and inviting.

The exhibitor show was a lot of fun this year with so many people stopping by our both to tell Kelle Reich, our Sales VP, and I what they have been hearing about our unique awards from their recipients or telling us how they want to use the awards for exciting new events. Big thanks go to Wanda McKnight who makes it all happen for the exhibitors each year and still bigger kudos to Kim Romano, the queen of fun, who put the whole grand conference together for us all. For those who couldn't make this one, you missed one of the best, by the best.

The Importance of An Artist's Signature

Historically artists have used their signature to mark their work. Consequently it has become a hallmark of the level of quality. Perhaps, it is simply the idea of pride of ownership. The artist signs their name to not only show ownership of the design of the work but also to announce themselves to the world along with their satisfaction with the completion of a work of art.

Many awards, particularly sculpted awards and even some custom awards do not carry the signature of the artist, or if the awards or trophies do carry a signature it is stamped into the sculpture. It is my belief that the work we do at MK Shannon Awards and Rewards is Awards Fine Art. Our sculpted awards, custom awards and commissioned awards all carry my signature etched into the metal by hand. It is a mark of quality and craftsmanship. It marks the sculpted award as an original created by my hand and no other. So when you are looking for unique awards or trophies to give for achievement, recognition or motivation, look for the artist’s signature on the award. It will tell you immediately that the artist is committed to the originality and uniqueness of their work and most of all to the quality. After all, you want to give an award that will be more that a decoration or momentary acknowledgement of accomplishment, you want to give a gift or award that has enduring meaning because of its artistic design and high quality.

Welcome to My Blog

Here’s my personal philosophy about the work I do:

“I create awards for people, to touch them, to honor them, and to praise them. This is my highest ambition and what I have built my life’s work upon. In my heart I am giving and someone out there is receiving and it makes both of our lives richer in that moment.”

Awards when presented are just that, something given to someone; it is a prize, an honor. However, once the event is over, and the award has been presented, it will go into someone’s home or office. Once that happens, I believe, the award now becomes something more; it becomes a focal point, something that every time it is seen, a wonderful memory is revisited. I consider my awards art in every sense. When I am creating them I want to capture a feeling or attitude so that when you look at my work you will consciously or unconsciously share my vision. It’s my hope that in this blog, I’ll be able to share with you some insight into my creative process along with my thoughts on the industry I’ve chosen as my career.