keri atchley
experiential design · philanthropy

Emeril Lagasse Foundation Throwdown

01 / 06

A fifteen-year creative partnership that helped a spirited backyard fundraiser grow into a polished, high-energy philanthropic experience.

Emeril Lagasse Foundation Throwdown logo over an outdoor event scene
role

Logo and identity creator, creative director, designer and hands-on event partner

disciplines

Identity, print, presentations, environmental graphics and production

engagement

Fifteen-year creative partnership

Building the visual language of a philanthropic tradition.

The challenge

Each year needed to feel new, memorable and worthy of a major fundraising weekend while remaining connected to the warmth, humor and generosity that defined the original Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown.

The approach

Keri created the event’s logos and evolving identity system, then developed a fresh annual theme and carried it across every audience touchpoint—from the first invitation through the live auction. The work combined high-energy storytelling with disciplined production, creating a cohesive experience for guests, sponsors, volunteers and beneficiaries.

Selected deliverables

Annual themes and event identities
Invitations and patron materials
Auction catalogs and collateral
Live-auction presentations
Environmental graphics and signage
Merchandise and event support

Outcome + legacy

The work gave a growing fundraiser a recognizable sense of occasion—supporting its evolution into the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Throwdown Weekend and a lasting source of support for children’s charities.