Flaco Commemorative Keychain: A Tribute in Wood

I’ve worked with El Buho Mezcal since their launch 12 years ago, so when they approached me about creating something special to honor the life of Flaco the Owl, I knew it had to be meaningful. Flaco, who had been set free from the Central Park Zoo, became a symbol of resilience and freedom, soaring above New York City for 386 days.

At first, we considered a simple plastic keychain as a promotional item. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt we needed something elegant—something that truly reflected the spirit of Flaco. That’s when I turned to Rob at Visual Mechanics, someone I had worked with before and whose expertise in wood etching felt perfect for this project.

I created an illustration of Flaco, ensuring it fit seamlessly within the iconic shape of the El Buho Owl logo. The team at El Buho loved the concept, and Rob brought it to life with carefully selected materials and precision engraving. The result was a limited edition run of 386 wooden keyrings—one for each day Flaco was free.

To launch the project, we partnered with the New York Bird Alliance and hosted an event celebrating Flaco’s legacy. The event featured a cocktail contest, and I designed hand-tinted posters to promote the occasion.

All proceeds from the keychains went to the NYC Bird Alliance to support their bird conservation efforts, particularly in reducing window collisions—a major cause of bird fatalities.

This project was more than just a design challenge; it was a way to celebrate a beloved bird and raise awareness for bird safety in NYC. Seeing people connect with Flaco’s story through this keepsake was incredibly rewarding, and I’m honored to have been part of it.

Hand-colored posters for commemorative party