Less Bitter, More Sweet
After drawing caricatures at many graduation celebrations — from kindergarten graduations to high school and college events — I’ve noticed something interesting. What people remember most isn't the food or the decorations.
What they remember is the Feeling. Its a little bit sweet, and a little bittersweet.
My graduation party caricatures can help make it a bit less bitter, and a lot more sweet.
Here's how:
A Graduation Party
To Remember
Last May I was drawing Grad Night caricatures at a Project Graduation event for seniors from Hale County High School in Florida.
If you’ve never heard of Project Graduation, it’s a really cool tradition. After the ceremony, the graduates gather for an overnight celebration — a safe place to hang out with friends one last time before everyone heads off in different directions.
This one was held at the high school. They had food, games, and the seniors brought sleeping bags so they could camp out on the floor together. And of course they also had me drawing caricatures as entertainment and a fun giveaway for the teens.
When I first arrived, there was a slightly different feeling in the room than you might expect at a party. The students were excited, of course, but you could also tell something else was there.
A little sadness.
After all, this was the last night many of them would spend together as a class. In just a few months they’d be heading in different directions — different colleges, different cities, different futures.
But then the caricatures started.
By the end of the night, something had changed.
People were laughing, having a great time, and remembering all the good times they had shared during their years together at the school.
They weren’t sad anymore.
They were laughing.
What a way to send them off.
Grad Night Caricatures-
A FUN Interactive Experience
An informal graduation celebration at Columbia Southern University. Moments like this are my favorite — friends gathering around, laughing during the drawing, and leaving with a keepsake from the celebration.
Moments like that are one of the reasons interactive graduation party activities can make such a difference at a celebration.
The best activities aren’t just something people watch.
They’re something people participate in.
That’s why things like photo booths, games, comedians, and live art tend to be what people choose to entertain at graduation parties.
But my themed fun Caricatures happen to do something a little different than traditional entertainment.
They’re entertainment while they’re being drawn, keeping the crowd laughing, interacting and off their phones... they also are a personalized keepsake the graduate can take home.
By the end of the night, students aren’t just remembering the party.
They’re walking away with a piece of it.
Over the years I’ve drawn caricatures at kindergarten graduations, middle school celebrations, high school Project Graduation events, and even college graduation parties.
Every one of them has the same thing in common.
Once the laughter starts, people line up.
And before long everyone is comparing drawings and showing them off to their friends.
They're laughing instead of crying.
And That’s what everyone will remember.
Why Caricatures Are One of the Best Graduation Party Activities
It's a blast!
If you’re looking for fun graduation party activities that work for guests of all ages, caricatures check a lot of boxes.
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They bring people together.
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They create laughter and interaction (not scrolling on their phones!)
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And every guest leaves with something unique.
During a grad night or graduation party, guests often watch the drawings happen, cheer each other on, and enjoy seeing how their friends are captured in caricature style. It becomes part of the entertainment of the entire event.
At the same time, the drawing becomes a personalized keepsake. Instead of a generic party favor, guests take home artwork created just for them.
That combination of entertainment and keepsake is what makes caricatures such a smart choice when celebrating a graduation.
About Miss Kathy
Hi, I'm Kathy Buskett, and I'm a professional live caricaturist.
How long have I been doing this, you ask?
Probably longer than you've been alive.
Yep. I've been drawing fun caricatures for TWENTY-SEVEN years! And if I have been doing something THAT long, you KNOW I love it.
That love of what I do shows up in my work. And your guests
will FEEL it.
Those are some great reasons to hire me.
A few other reasons:
Kathy Buskett, Caricaturist near me known for
her flattering style and speed sketches
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27 years of Experience
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10 years drawing caricatures in Las Vegas at some of the biggest events in the world
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Fortune 500 clients such as Coca-Cola, Samsung, Zappos, even Cirque Du Soleil!
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People Skills I dont just sit there and draw- I TALK to your guests and make it FUN
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FLATTERING style - I make your guests look better than real life!
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Speed - I'm one of the fastest caricaturists in the world.
How do I know? We literally have competitions at our conventions.
The last time I competed, I came in fourth place in the world for speed.
Why this matters to you: My high speeds saves you from having long lines AND it allows many more of your guests to be drawn. Twice as many in fact. SO you're getting twice as much for your money!
Not all caricature artists are the same.
Some go for shock value. Some are inappropriate. Some don’t know how to read a room.
That doesn’t work at school events.
I’m a mom of teenagers. I’ve been doing this for 27 years. I know how to keep things fun, flattering, and appropriate for all ages.
Students feel comfortable.
Parents feel comfortable.
Staff doesn’t have to worry.
My daughter Grace at her Graduation.
I have another one graduating this year!
Grad Party Inspo (That’s Actually Doable)
If you’ve been deep in Pinterest looking for grad party inspo, you’ve probably seen a lot of ideas that are…
a lot.
If you're planning your own graduation party, you'vve got enough goign on with finals, prom, graduation, college apps...
Caricatures are simple to add, easy to set up, and instantly elevate the entire event.
They work at:
graduation dinners
graduation after parties
senior nights
grad night events
kindergarten celebrations
college graduation parties
…and pretty much anything in between.
BOOM. Your Grad party planning is DONE.
How My Caricatures Work for Graduation Parties,
Senior Night and Grad Night
It's as Easy as 1 2 3
1
2
3
Once you say yes, lets do it!
I’ll send over a booking agreement. It protects both of us and includes a 100% money-back guarantee if I don’t show (which has never happened in 27 years).
You sign it, I countersign it, and then you have 7 days to send in A 50% retainer, Once I receive that, your date is locked in, and you’re officially set.
From there, we’ll schedule a quick chat so I can understand your event.
Whether it’s a grad night, senior night, kindergarten celebration, or graduation after party, I'll answer any questions you may have.
We'll then decide if we're a good fit for each other
And Then You're All Set!
I show up ready to turn your graduation party into something they will remember for years to come - maybe even hang it in their dorm room at college to remember you by.
What Happens at a Grad Night, Senior Night or a Lock-In?
Grad night looks a little different than a typical party — and I’m used to that.
If it’s a lock-in, I’ll arrive early, get set up, and coordinate with your staff so everything runs smoothly.
I draw continuously until I’ve finished the agreed time (or we adjust based on your schedule). No awkward downtime, no confusion — just a steady flow of students coming through, laughing, and getting their drawings.
These events are perfect for caricatures because there’s always a natural line, and once the first few students go, everyone else wants in.
Great Graduation Party Activities for Backyard Celebrations
Many graduation celebrations today are backyard parties or open house style events where guests come and go throughout the day. In those situations, the best graduation party activities are ones guests can enjoy at any time.
Caricatures work especially well for backyard graduation parties because people can watch the drawings happen, laugh with friends, and take home a personalized keepsake from the celebration.
Instead of guests simply eating and leaving, caricatures create an activity that keeps the party lively and interactive.
Graduation Dinner Ideas
Looking for graduation dinner ideas that feel a little more special than just going out to eat?
I can come right to your home or restaurant and draw your guests during the celebration.
While everyone is already gathered around the table—laughing, catching up, celebrating—I’m there adding something extra. Guests take turns, watch the drawings come to life, and suddenly dinner turns into an experience, not just another meal out.
It’s easy to add, doesn’t disrupt the flow, and gives everyone something to take home at the end of the night. Perfect for smaller gatherings where you want it to feel personal, memorable, and just a little bit more special.
Graduation Party Activities for Guests and Grads of All Ages
Graduation parties aren’t just for high school seniors
Over the years I’ve drawn caricatures for many different milestone celebrations, including:
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Preschool graduation
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Kindergarten graduations
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Elementary school celebrations
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Junior high milestones
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High school graduation parties
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College graduation celebrations
Senior Citixens fullfilling a lifelong dream of finishing their college degree at Columbia Southern University Graduation in Orange Beach, AL
Each type of celebration has its own personality, but they all share the same goal — bringing people together to celebrate an important milestone.
Interactive activities work especially well for these events because they help guests connect and enjoy the celebration together.
Graduation Party Caricature Pricing
Grad parties on a budget? I offer special School and nonprofit pricing
Caricatures are both entertainment AND graduation party favors.
Instead of paying for multiple activities plus favors that get left behind, you’re covering both in one.
And because I draw fast (20–30 guests per hour), most events don’t need a second artist — which saves even more.
My standard corporate rate is $299/hour.
BUT
For private events, such as grad parties, my fee is only $199/ hr - that's a 33% savings!
For schools and graduation events,
I offer an even further reduced rate of $149/hour.
That's a full 50% off my corporate rate!
Custom Graduation Gift Caricatures
What to give a grad who already has everything they want?
How about a bucket - list item that isn't too expensive?
Graduation caricatures are only $149 for one person and make a thoughtful gift for the graduate. I can even put them in a cap and gown! (see photo of a piece I did, above)
In addition to drawing live at graduation parties, I also accept a limited number of custom graduation gift caricature commissions each year.
These drawings are created from photos and are often used for:
Graduation announcements
Party invitations
Graduation gifts
Party display artwork
Because each illustration is drawn by hand and customized for the graduate, I only accept a small number of commissions during graduation season.
Celebrating a Graduation
Graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Whether the celebration is a backyard graduation party, a Project Graduation event, or a college graduation gathering, the goal is the same — bringing friends and family together to celebrate the graduate and the memories they’ve made along the way.
The right graduation party activities help make those celebrations even more memorable.
If you’re planning a graduation party, grad night, senior night, or kindergarten celebration, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.
Check your date and reach out here: