My Very First NFT Project
What I learned and gained from the experience
Last year, I led an NFT project called “The Gentl9man” where all proceeds benefitted the non-profit Howe Foundation. Beginning the process in the spring of 2021 and revealing last October, it was a truly rewarding experience that I will always cherish.
Prior to deciding to make this project, I needed to know “my why” first. For me, that was very easy and you can read my first article on the project, before it was revealed, where I share my reasons.
The purpose for the Howe Foundation specifically was two fold:
fundraise
raise more awareness
There are so many ways that charities can try to fundraise and generate more awareness.
So why NFTs?
a digital collectible that can easily be shared and displayed across multiple mediums
and yet, still provides the ability to print the artwork out should one wish to display in a traditional art format such as a print
Perhaps the best examples I can think of as a collector is my hockey card collection. I have collected almost every single hockey card ever made of my father, Mark Howe (see pic below of part of the collection). And although I love my collection, it sits in a binder, on a shelf, collecting dust. Unless someone is physically sitting with me and I bring it out, nobody can even view it. Furthermore, the cards are prone to damage from handling and/or sunlight.
If NFTs were available during the period when my father played, it would be an easy decision for me where I would MUCH rather have the digital collectible.
can display NFTs in so many ways and to the entire global population
With NFTs, I can display them on a digital frame (to hang or sit on a shelf), within my crypto wallets on my phone & computer, in digital art galleries (which are free to use), in the metaverses (such as my Portals NFT unit below where I am displaying some), and/or just print them out to display a physical version.
can animate and/or include audio
Digital art allows animation as well as audio whereas physical art does not. Perhaps my favorite piece of “The Gentl9man” collection is the “Nine” piece (pictured below). I own Edition #4 of 9 which you can view here (to see the animation). I love this piece so much it’s even my PFP (profile pic)!
easy to verify ownership and authenticity of your collectible
Due to blockchain technology, all transactions are publicly accessible and verifiable. Unlike many collectible industries where forgery and fakes occur, all can see if an NFT is part of the actual collection or not.
In the end, I wanted to do something “out of the box” that pushed the boundaries of traditional sports collecting. And to do that, it had to be something that you didn’t see at a “sports expo” or “card show.”
NFTs provided the perfect opportunity to do just that.
BUT….it had to have meaning and involvement from the entire family
It’s one thing to say it but it’s another to commit to it. So as a family, we committed to finding stories to tell of Gordie that we wanted to share with his fans. We wanted to capture a balance between telling who Gordie was as a man but also sharing fun hockey moments too.
To us, it is a collection that transcends sport (just like Gordie did).
Here are just some of the preparations made in advance of the artwork:
converted over 200 units of 8mm film, 16mm film and VHS tapes from family footage to digital files (this took a long time!)
reviewed all of the footage and clipped down to 62 minutes to share with the artist to provide a better understanding of Gordie (and Colleen)
reviewed (and shared) thousands of personal family photos
determine what platform to use (where to mint)
Blockparty (on Flow blockchain) was chosen as there are no gas fees, you do not need a crypto wallet to transact as you can pay in credit card. And Opensea (which is currently the largest NFT marketplace in the world) is integrating with Flow in the near future too.
regular meetings amongst family members and also with the artist to discuss ideas, review concepts and ultimately bring our vision to life
building out the website & creating a YouTube channel where more details are shared on each piece
& so much more
Easily the most personal piece of the collection was “The Hall.”
As described:
This piece imagines an intimate moment between Gordie and Mark Howe, moments after Mark's heartfelt Hockey Hall of Fame induction speech, in which he wore Gordie's number 9 jersey for the first time.
The work shows a relaxed father and son talking in the hallway of a home. Family photos hang on the walls, showing this is truly a family accomplishment.
This was a very emotional moment for the entire family and a piece which includes so many different people and aspects of that moment (both joy and sadness) when my father was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and donned Gordie’s (his father) #9 jersey at the end of his speech.
In addition to meaning behind the entire collection, my family wanted to gift a 1/1 “The Beginning” to the NHLAA. As my uncle Marty (who was also a former NHL hockey player) said, “they have done so much for former players and their families in need.” So here was an opportunity to give back even more by including such a wonderful organization in this awareness campaign.
The Support
The support was overwhelming from not only the hockey community but many outside including the entertainment industry and I am forever grateful to all of those who helped raise more awareness to the Howe Foundation.
What came from this?
Undoubtedly, more people know about the Howe Foundation today then they did before this project started. That certainly makes me incredibly proud.
Although I would’ve loved to see the collection sellout (there are still pieces available), the feedback on the artwork and project was overwhelmingly positive. And hopefully as more people come across it and/or learn more about NFTs to begin collecting, they look at our collection.
On a personal level, I was able to gain even more knowledge and experience in the crypto space. And the memories created from this will certainly last a lifetime.
A scholarship program was also formed and (10) people were awarded them in 2022.
Finally, there is a potential internship program the Howe Foundation will be starting which came because of this project.
All in all, it was a very rewarding experience and one that aimed to improve the lives of others through charitable work and giving.
Special Thank You
I just want to say one last time Thank You to all of those who helped make this project happen.
And especially to Zelley (artist) and Craig & Kaitlyn of Telemetry. Your passion and enthusiasm for this project was evident from the very start and I am forever grateful.