Laughter & Live Art: Inside the New Embassy Suites Gulf Shores Grand Opening

Even the DJ got into the act! (Off duty, of course)

When the brand-new Embassy Suites by Hilton opened in Gulf Shores, the whole town turned out — city leaders, business owners, and neighbors ready to celebrate. I was hired as the live caricature artist, which meant my job was to add a little extra laughter to an already sparkling evening.

But before I even set foot inside, I had my own private drama going: I’d parked in a sandy lot across from the hotel, and all night long I worried my truck might sink and I’d need a tow. (Spoiler: it didn’t, but that nervous undercurrent stayed with me the whole night!)

Inside, the lobby was gleaming — balloon arches, a giant photo booth with a real photographer, staff bustling to get everything just right. I was set up at the entrance to the ballroom to sketch staff and then guests as they arrived. My very first subject? The DJ, who wasn’t even “on duty” yet. We talked shop about corporate events while I drew, and he liked his caricature so much he said he’d use it as his business logo.

Soon, the hotel staff began to trickle in, exhausted but smiling. They’d been working around the clock to make this grand opening perfect, and the manager told me she wanted to give them something fun to thank them. So one by one, in their work clothes and big smiles, they sat for me — laughing, teasing each other, and walking away with keepsakes of a night they’d worked so hard to make happen.

When the ballroom doors opened, the tone shifted. The suits and dresses arrived, mingling with champagne glasses and plates of Gulf Coast seafood (including the famous Royal Red shrimp). I drew council members, local business owners, couples, and even the interior designer who had shaped the new space. We talked about art, creativity, and how lucky we are to do what we love for a living.

One of my favorite moments was when the hotel owner himself came by, checking in on the guests in my chairs to make sure they were having fun. That kind of hospitality always impresses me — when leadership doesn’t just manage from a distance but leans in to make sure people are smiling.

By the end of the night, I’d sketched staff, city leaders, and strangers-turned-friends — four hours straight of laughter, chatter, and live art. I even left with a photo from the hotel’s photographer, thanks to a kind staffer who dragged me into the booth with her.

When I walked out, tired but happy, my truck was still safely on solid ground. And when I got home, my husband was resting — waiting for a heart surgery that, by God’s grace, had been postponed until after the event. He’s since come through beautifully.

So yes — it was an honor to be the caricature artist for the Embassy Suites Gulf Shores grand opening. But more than that, it was a reminder of why I love this work: the people, the laughter, the connections, and the stories that stay with me long after the last portrait is handed out.

✨ Flattering. Fast. Unforgettable.

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