Event Overview

Venue: Pier Sixty-Six Marina Superyacht Village, Fort Lauderdale
(5,000 linear feet of dockage, vessels up to 400 feet)

Occasion: International SeaKeepers Society Founders Event
$475/plate VIP gala celebrating ocean innovation and leadership

Attendees: Ultra-high-net-worth ocean stewards, marine industry leaders, noted scientists, conservation influencers

Format:

60-minute cocktail hour live painting activation
Awards presentation featuring custom lionfish leather artworks

Artwork:

Live creation of a 24" x 18" reef-inspired abstract painting on invasive lionfish leather
Two award pieces created in advance on lionfish leather (commissioned by SeaKeepers)

Activation Goals

The purpose of this activation was fourfold:

Demonstrate feasibility in a luxury event setting.
The setup was completed in under 15 minutes with no disruption to event flow, confirming the activation can be deployed easily and professionally.
Engage VIP guests in meaningful conversation through fine art.
The activation achieved continuous guest interaction, drawing attendees over to the easel to discuss both the artwork and the lionfish issue.
Showcase innovative material usage.
Numerous guests expressed curiosity about the process of painting on invasive species leather and the broader conservation strategy embedded in the work.
Validate potential for future activations and partnerships.
Several guests inquired about how similar experiences could be brought into other events and venues, demonstrating interest in scaling this format.

Engagement Results

Guests approached the easel consistently throughout the activation
Many expressed curiosity about both the artwork and the invasive lionfish issue
Several guests commented they had “never seen live fine art presented this way at an event before”
Conversations often turned to:
- Curiosity about the lionfish leather medium
- The conservation story behind the materials
- Ideas for bringing this type of activation to resorts and private events
Activation was both conversation catalyst and silent atmospheric enhancer, continually drawing guests organically

Post-Event Amplification

Video & reel content shared by SeaKeepers and the artist
LinkedIn post from award recipient Emily Cunningham MBE
High-value social reach:
- Via marine conservation professionals
- Via Discovery Fleet award networks
- Via artist’s conservation-engaged collectors
Expanded professional network via pre- and post-event digital sharing

Measurable Ecological Impact

This activation removed the equivalent ecological pressure of approximately 30 lionfish — protecting an estimated 2 million native reef fish.

Every painting created on lionfish leather directly reduces predation pressure on coral reefs, supporting habitat resilience and marine biodiversity.

Executive Feedback

“We were happy to have your thoughtful approach to creating artwork on display. It was the perfect match for our mission and beautifully executed!”
— Ruth Robinson, Chief Operations Operator

“Your live painting brought such a vibrant energy to the evening, and it was incredible to watch you engage with so many guests while creating something so beautiful.”
— Ivonne Gamboa, Director of Marketing & PR

Why Partner With Laura

Art as activation, storytelling & measurable impact.

1. Engages Guests Meaningfully

Draws guests into intimate engagement moments (both individual conversations and 2–4 person clusters)
Guests initiate conversations organically, and Laura occasionally engages those showing interest — always in a way that remains optional, quiet, and unobtrusive to the event flow.
A natural “gravity point” for networking energy

2. Tailored for Luxury & Sustainability Audiences

Abstract fine art using invasive animal leather
Positioned for:
- Eco-luxury venues + island resorts
- Chef-partnered conservation dinners
- VIP recognition ceremonies
- Regenerative-focused corporate retreats
- Ocean, wellness, and sustainability programming

3. Seamless & Low-Footprint

The activation is intentionally designed to be effortless for the hosting venue. It requires minimal space, no special infrastructure, and presents zero operational risk or disruption.

Space required: Approximately a 4 ft × 4 ft footprint
Setup time: Under 15 minutes from arrival to readiness
Materials: Water-based only — no aerosols, solvents, or chemicals
Power needs: None
Impact on event flow: Entirely self-contained and quiet, allowing guests to engage at their discretion without interrupting presentations, catering, or service logistics

4. Proven Market Interest

Generated six direct partnership inquiries during the evening, validating the demand for immersive conservation-based luxury activations.

5. Creates Tangible Ecological Benefit

Each activation contributes to measurable environmental restoration, making the host organization or venue an active participant in conservation impact.

Available Activation Formats

Each activation can be customized in duration, setting, and level of guest interaction. Format options include:

Cocktail or gala live painting (60–90 minutes)
Ideal for opening receptions, VIP gatherings, or fundraising galas. Provides an elegant focal point that guests engage with naturally throughout the event.
Daytime or poolside activation (2 hours)
Works well for resort programming or slow-flow environments where guests explore and return throughout the day.
Artist residency-style engagement (1–7 days)
Allows for deeper integration into the venue experience. Ideal for luxury properties looking to offer guests curated artistic programming that aligns with their cultural or sustainability efforts.
VIP dinner or tasting experience (around 60 minutes)
Pairs the art process and storytelling with culinary elements, perfect for chef collaborations or sustainability-focused hosted meals.
Custom award artwork or commissioned piece (created prior to event)
Integrates bespoke artworks into honoree recognition ceremonies or high-level presentations.