When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, well, that’s Project M at Winterhouse. This year’s Project M, sponsored by the good folks (William Drenttel and Jessica Helfand–below top) at Winterhouse in Falls Village, Conn., this past Saturday, was called Pizza Farm, a collaborative effort between designers and local produce-producing farmers in Litchfield County. The notion was to show the community the bounty in their midst, through the wonders of homemade pizza. All the ingredients, from the flour for the crust to the vegetables and meats were donated by local farmers and offered to all for free. And hmmmm, it was good.
The event, which was advertised in the local Lakeville Journal, was a resounding success (as the line below attests). But more remarkable was how in just a short two weeks, the students identified a need–to promote local farm goods in an area where farms are closing down–and bring awareness to the public. In addition to getting the farmers’ cooperation, prepping the food, finding a venue in Canaan, Conn., and promoting and advertising with smartly designed tees, ads and signs, pulling off the massive event would have taken even veteran planners weeks, if not months.
Bravo goes to Winterhouse/Project M and this year’s student participants (in orange). Do you know of other such initiatives that bring designers together with social entrepreneurism? Share them here. (Photos taken by me.)
About Steven Heller
Steven Heller is the co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer /Designer as Author + Entrepreneur program, writes frequently for Wired and Design Observer. He is also the author of over 170 books on design and visual culture. He received the 1999 AIGA Medal and is the 2011 recipient of the Smithsonian National Design Award.View all posts by Steven Heller →