WHITING, Ind. – One of Chicago Scenic Studios’s recent projects has been a crowd pleaser.
The Chicago exhibit and display maker was part of a team that created one of the most unique museum experiences, the Mascot Hall of Fame in the Northwest Indiana city of Whiting.
The museum was the idea of David Raymond, founder of the Raymond Entertainment Group and a former mascot. Raymond was the original Phillie Phanatic, the official mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, from 1978-1993.
The Mascot Hall of Fame opened after four years of planning, design, and fabrication. Whiting mayor Joe Stahura was the main driver in luring the museum to anchor the city’s resurgent lakefront area.
Chicago Scenic collaborated with Raymond and the Cincinnati attraction design firm JRA on the 25,000 square foot museum that features state-of-the-art exhibits, activities, and events that celebrate the appeal and fun of mascots.
Chicago Scenic’s team of fabricators spent six months building the seven exhibits that make for an interactive and fun family-oriented experience. Each exhibit features a fun, playful name including Fuzzical Education, Fureshman Orientation, Science of Silliness, Marvelous Mascot Maker, Mascot Studies, The Furry Arts, and Frankenfur’s Mascots.
The company built the two special stores on site, a gift store and a build-a-bear experience. The project also involved Chicago Scenic managing subcontractors for digital interactives, graphics, specialty flooring, speciality painting, and decorative inflatables.
The team included: Emperor of Fur, David Raymond, founder of Mascot Hall of Fame; designer, Jack Rouse Associates; project management, fabrication & installation, Chicago Scenic Studios, Inc.; A/V and media, Electrosonic, Northern Lights, and Trivium, LLC; and Graphics: ProGraphics,
The Chicago Scenic team was: Jim Mallerdino (senior project manager), Doug Peer (project manager), Dana Barber (project/graphics coordinator), and Juan Arriaga (job lead).
The museum is geared toward 8-13 year olds, but is a place the whole family can enjoy.
And the Hall of Fame has its own mascot: Reggy, the purple party dude.
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