Bucks County Courier Times November 11, 2004 Section: FOCUS ON NEWTOWN Edition: FOCUS EDITION1 Page: 10A FIRST NIGHT POSTER STACY STANISLAW FOCUS ON NEWTOWN Creative director at NAC knows how to design advertisements, but when her boss encouraged her to join Newtown's First Night creative committee and design the poster for this year's New Year's Eve celebration, Liz Battaglia couldn't say no. As the creative director for the Newtown Athletic Club, Liz Battaglia is accustomed to designing banners and advertisements. So when her boss encouraged her to join Newtown's First Night creative committee and design the poster for this year's New Year's Eve celebration, Battaglia couldn't say no. " People do all sorts of things for their posters. Last year we had a photograph of hands holding [noisemakers,] but I really like graphic design projects. I wanted to use a graphic design piece this year so it would be bright and colorful. I wanted something bright, fun and happy," Battaglia said. Battaglia began working for the NAC as the coordinator of marketing and public relations two years ago. Recently, she was promoted to creative director, which also helped facilitate her involvement in the First Night creative committee. By designing the poster, an essential element of First Night, Battaglia will have the opportunity to showcase both her talents as a self-taught graphic designer and her commitment to the community. Although she had help from other committee members, Battaglia deserves much of the credit for the poster. " At the meeting we poured out a bucket of buttons from First Nights held around the United States to help us brainstorm. I really liked the jester as a symbol of First Night, so that's what I picked for this year's poster," the creative director said. As an employee of the NAC, Battaglia's involvement in First Night Newtown brings something a little different to this year's New Year's Eve celebration. " I'm glad Liz had the opportunity to create the poster because it brings new art to the event. It's the first time we've had an in-house person do it. We've always asked someone from outside the community do it," Linda Mitchell, director of marketing and public relations for the NAC said. "It's nice to have art from an insider. It gives us a fresh perspective." A poster unveiling was held Oct. 6 at the Gallery of Fine Art in Newtown to present the poster to the community. Battaglia had the opportunity to describe her inspiration for the piece and the creative process used to design it. " With the jester, there's all sorts of different ones around. I just liked it and the possibilities it provides," Battaglia said. The First Night poster design will appear on flyers, advertisements and the First Night admission buttons. Battaglia's job does not end at designing the poster, however. As a committee member and employee of the NAC, Battaglia will also assist in overseeing operations at the athletic center for much of New Year's Eve. " Hopefully I'll get to be in the procession, but I'll be back at the NAC eventually," Battaglia said. "It gets very crazy, and there's lots of traffic through [the NAC]. It's so big; people are bound to get lost." Over the upcoming weeks, Battaglia will also be responsible for advertising and marketing the event, along with managing her regular daily operations. An art-based, alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration, First Night Newtown provides the community with a family-oriented celebration of the New Year. The event features music, food, entertainment, games and midnight fireworks. For more information on First Night Newtown or to learn how to get involved, visit the Newtown First Night Web site at www.firstnightnewtown.com. Stacy Stanislaw can be reached at 215-322-9715 or sstanislaw@phillyburbs.com November 11, 2004