Jim Mees

Jim was introduced to the world of design at the age of 12, when he became a protégé of the now iconic textile designer, Vera, working alongside her during her heyday, participating in the creation of images that would be reproduced and distributed internationally on Vera scarves, sportswear, tableware, and linens. The balance between practical experience and formal/academic training that Vera encouraged played a primary role in shaping Jim’s career as a mature designer, craftsman, technician, mentor, and teacher.

Jim launched his career as an art director in Los Angeles collaborating on designs for live shows featuring The Beach Boys; Earth, Wind and Fire; Chicago; and Diana Ross. These opportunities led to more creative challenges both in television and film production. A few initial seasons on The Lawrence Welk Show were followed by years working for the legendary Norman Lear on hit shows like The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, Sanford, Who’s the Boss?

Just as he completed work on the groundbreaking film, Second Serve, Jim received a new offer that would dramatically alter the course of his career.

In 1987, Jim joined the crew of the starship Enterprise, retaining the position of designer and decorator for 17 years on three consecutive Star Trek series including The Next Generation, Voyager, and finally, Enterprise. He masterfully created future environments and consistently brought original, sensitive, and thought-provoking ideas to the screen. It was for these designs that he received five EMMY® nominations, and, in 1990, won the EMMY® for Art Direction/Set Decoration on the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode titled “Sins Of The Father.”

Jim’s innovative work on Star Trek paved the way to producing television commercials, furniture and fabrics, theme park installations, residential interiors and exterior landscapes, as well as a series of office complexes, runway fashion shows, and multimedia special events.

In 1995, Dr. David Hinton enlisted Jim’s aid in developing a design curriculum for the newly created Film School at Watkins Institute of Art in Nashville, TN. Shortly thereafter, Jim was appointed adjunct instructor in set design and decoration and advisor to Watkins Department of Interior Design. In 1996, he was installed as a member of the Watkins Board of Trustees.

Jim expanded his career once again to serve as artistic director and production designer/producer for a number of nationally recognized fundraising events including The Swan Ball for Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art (Nashville, TN), Candlelite Concert for The Orange County Performing Arts Center (Costa Mesa, CA), and in 2007, the opening ceremonies for the Nashville Symphony Hall and Opening Night Gala (Nashville, TN).

In conjunction with his creative and organizational skills on these projects came the added responsibility of budgeting and offered new and exciting challenges which enhanced his expertise in set decoration, interior design, construction, display, and production.

Most recently, while he has continued his work in Nashville and in Hollywood on such television shows as Private Practice (ABC Television), and Bones (Fox Television), and the forthcoming feature film, Maniac (Barbes Bros. LLC) Jim has again widened his endeavors and skill set to include a series of residential design/build projects on which he has served as both interior designer, construction consultant, and liaison, representing client interests in their relationships with architects, artisans, and builders.

In  2008, Jim relocated his primary residence, along with his design studio to Selinsgrove, PA, where he now lives with his long-time partner, Michael Smyth, a researcher and professor of sociology at Susquehanna University.

BIG Events, Inc.

BIG Events, Inc. has established itself as a premier resource for event decor design, florals, and event planning. BIG Events specializes in weddings, non-profit and corporate events and production. It is BIG Events belief that a successful event hinges on continuity and a clear creative vision on every level. From the grand social ball to the intimate backyard soirée, BIG Events manages all elements of an event to ensure its full potential. With the combined expertise of Martha Greenwood’s artistic mind and floral designs, Denise Sikes’s attention to detail, and Malcolm Greenwood production expertise, they and their team will bring years of combined knowledge to the task of Visual Designers of the Fiftieth Anniversary Swan Ball and The Décor Designers and Event Planners for The Swan Ball Late Party 2012.