US Magnetix Helps Walker Art Center Attract Families

Art Business News, Dec, 2000

MINNEAPOLIS--The Walker Art Center of Minneapolis recently turned to US Magnetix to help them create a unique promotional promotional magnet to attract more families to their Free First Saturdays educational programming.

"We rarely do promotional giveaways," said Adrienne Wiseman, associate director of marketing for the Walker. "We wanted to highlight our family-friendly programs, and we wanted something whimsical and different in a fun shape that both kids and adults would enjoy."

Working together with US Magnetix, the Walker selected an extra-thick magnet that could be used as a give-away at Walker events, as well as off site at festivals, trade shows and the Minnesota State Fair. "The magnets are literally flying off the shelf," said Wiseman, who has just placed her second order in three months.

Wiseman and her in-house creative department drew from the previously commissioned illustrations of J. Otto Seibold for the magnet's artwork. Seibold and his family had visited the Walker in 1998 when he provided illustrations for a map of the Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens, including perhaps its most famous piece, the "Soonbridge and Cherry."

In addition to his work with the Walker and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, Seibold is known for his darling illustrations for the popular children's book and holiday television classic, "Olive--The Other Reindeer."

"The mixture of illustration, unusual shape and the weight of the chunky magnet make this ideal for promotional use," added US Magnetix director of business development Steve Cieslukowski. "We hope others will be inspired by this creative application."

US Magnetix is a magnet manufacturer specializing in promotional magnets and magnetic-based retail products.