2003 WISCONSIN OUTDOOR SQUIRREL CONVENTION
In summer, 2003, tectonic industries organized the 2003 Wisconsin Outdoor Squirrel Convention to coincide with the 2003 Wisconsin Outdoor Sculpture Invitational. The events were held on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan, amongst 75 acres of rolling woodland.
The conference was a huge success, drawing squirrels from across the midwest, both real and artificial. Posters for the convention were posted around Wisconsin and the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Information packs were sent to a large number of people, including a guest pass and a copy of the agenda to be passed on to any squirrel they may know.
Refreshments were placed at the site to entice local squirrels to participate. Attached to a tree within the convention site was a waterproof leaflet box, containing copies of the printed agenda. Priority seating was allocated for the first 75 participating squirrels. Numbered, laminated identity cards were clipped onto the branches of the trees at the convention site. The assigned seating was filled on a first come- first served basis. The cards with the lower numbers were positioned in the most prominent positions, near the chair and therefore central to the debate. Later participants and visitors sat wherever they found a space. The 75 cards allocating tree-based seating for the squirrels at the convention were spread over an area of four trees. Although the individual cards are colourful, the overall effect was designed to be arresting to the eye of a squirrel, whilst inconspicuous to the human eye. Discussion topics were scheduled for every weekend on the Convention agenda. Although no formal lectures or presentations were planned, the Chair, Dr Sarah Sciurus, was present to facilitate proceedings. Dr Sciurus was seated centrally at the convention site