Final Product Progress Assessment:

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            For my final product, for the most part, I have stayed on top of my calendar. However, when scheduling out goals while working with professionals is difficult because I am truly merely a side project for them and it takes a while to either get a response or to keep fluid communication. Nevertheless, I have created a three independent media advertisements as well as a website. I have painters with the Center for Discovery, as well as a secured gallery. All that is left is to get the canvases, which I am working with Michaels to get a discount or donation of canvases to help cover the cost. Furthermore, I am working this local vendors and grocery stores to get refreshments to the event without it costing me more money. This event planning process has taught me so much, especially how to deal with rejection and move forward. However, not everything has been difficult, I have accomplished so much thus far. I have found an art gallery in a prime location that rents for $4,000, and negotiated a deal at $200. I have introduced and met with so many professional clinics in the Dallas area that will be career long connections. The gallery themselves, and the other professionals I’ve worked with have also helped promote the event. I have developed marketing campaigns as well as started a new website. I have gotten NHS, and Orchestra involved in the event. I created a donation site, and learned about what canvases to purchase. With all my purchases, I learned how to bargain, seek deals, make relationships, and pursue donations from so many big businesses.

             The most challenging part of the entire endeavor is finding treatment centers that respond, are willing to help, or hold art therapy in general. I finally got eight painters from Center for Discovery however I want to still get anywhere from 10-15 painters, so we are still searching for one more clinic. Furthermore, trying to get people to donate or attend the event is difficult because I would like at least 100 people to come and $400 donated, however a more realistic goal is around 25 people and $100 donation. So to overcome this conundrum, I have to continually advertise like crazy. I am pleased with the product so far because it is much larger scale than I ever anticipated therefore feels like so much more than just a school assignment. However I am concerned about the paintings either not being enough or not being done well- there are just so many things left in the air for the clinics to fill that stresses me out. With the volunteers list, music, painters, continuous advertisements, banner, brochures, and actual event to be completed my mind is ever winding. On  the other hand, everything seems to be coming together slowly.

            Through my final product, what I have learned about dietetics is mainly centered around different treatment centers. Each center I have met with or communicated with has told me all about what they do, or I’ve gotten to see what they have done and it is so interesting the different services provided, or how they operate. I have also learned a lot about therapy in regards to the ways they incorporate it into their treatment successfully. Lastly, I have learned how to run an event and all the pieces that come into play, particularly in an art studio. As I continued to work through this product, I have learned that I am a very people pleasing person and I have to have the nicest event space, and a successful turn out, and the best art work to impress people, however I know that it will be what it will be and I have put my heart and soul into this event. Furthermore, I have learned that I am driven and work extremely hard when faced with a task, which is great to know as I pursue to own my own business. My mentor has played a tremendous role in this entire event, and I wouldn’t be successful without her help. Not only did she email all of her colleagues to see if they would participate, but she has given me promotional guidance, design guidance, advice, and weekly check ups which help remind me of all I’ve done and all that is to still be done. Her encouragement and interest in me has really paved the way for this project.