As three Washington University students working for the Center for Experiential Learning’s nonprofit consulting program, we had the rewarding experience of working with Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective this semester.
Our goal was to create a marketing plan for their summer tour, “Pick the City UP.” We have gotten to see the artists diligently prepare dance, song, and slam poetry for the series of performances in the coming months. While art and performance is their medium, speaking out against gun violence and food insecurity is their message. It was incredibly powerful to see how Story Stitchers youth came together to discuss difficult issues that so many St. Louisans face every day. In hopes of making their tour a success, we needed to create a campaign that would both draw an audience from the St. Louis downtown area and spread their important messages. We sought to understand various downtown communities, learn the ins and outs of radio PSA messaging, and create inventive ideas for encouraging participation in the tour.
We loved getting to work with director and founder, Susan Colangelo and all the talented individuals at Story Stitchers!
Aviva Mann, Taylor Ohman and Gary Wang
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The Pick the City UP Tour presents Saint Louis Story Stitchers unique brand of urban storytelling, featuring live hip hop, spoken word and story magic on public health issues St. Louis cares about including gun violence and food insecurity. Pay tribute, join the fun, and make a difference.
Pick the City UP Tour starts June 3rd for National Gun Violence Awareness Day in South City! Check out the Tour Schedule!