New Trash Can Mockup May 11, 2010

Howie and I just finished this mockup of a new trash can design.  What do you think?

New Trash Can Mockup

Rack Design Contest April 20, 2010

Check out this bike valet rack design contest by Ohio City Bike Co-op.

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, with the support of the Cleveland Colectivo, is holding a bicycle rack design contest. The designer of the winning rack will receive $250.00, and credit in any mention of its use by OCBC. The deadline for entries has been extended to 6pm EST, May 11th, 2010.

The objective of this contest is to find a superior rack designed for our temporary, high volume, Valet Bike Parking services: this is not for permanent installation (bikes are not locked to these racks, so security is not an issue); existing designs are eligible, but patented designs are not, as the design and construction specifications will be made available to all (see below).

The winning design will be:

1. Simple and reliable for busy volunteers to use (not let bikes fall over; accept all wheel and tire sizes; not damage derailleurs, fenders, disk brakes, seat upholstery, paint, etc.)

2. Able to hold at least 10 bikes each (we need to park up to 300 bikes at one time)

3. Easy to transport (lightweight, and collapsible or stack-able), preferably by bike trailer (designs that convert to trailers are encouraged)

4. Simple to set up (few or no tools required)

5. Durable (for 5 years of expected use)

6. Inexpensive and simple to construct and repair (welding is possible, but lowest-tech is preferred)

7. Made of sustainable materials (reuse of bicycle parts will be favored), with life-cycle costing and other environmental impacts considered.

Submissions must include plans (including bill of materials), photos, and any instructions necessary for building and use. Preliminary judging will be done by a committee of engineers, design professionals, and cyclists. The top three designs will then be built by OCBC volunteers, and evaluated by our volunteers and the public when they are used for Valet Bike Parking during Bike To Work Day on May 22nd.

This contest is open to anyone. Entrees are to be e-mailed to or snail mailed to:

Winner will be notified by June 1st, 2010.

All entrees become property of Ohio City Bicycle Co-op and will be made available on our website to everyone else, for "open source" usage and further development.

>> View the website.

Call to Artists Recycle Show April 13, 2010

REduce REuse REcycle

MAy 21st 2010-June 11th

Entirely “green” juried exhibition. We are looking to challenge the Artists to take on environmental responsibility, viewers to rethink their relationships with “disposable” objects and artists to reduce their carbon footprint. .
 
APPLICATION REQUIRMENTS
Requesting artworks created in the past two years consisting of 100% used and found objects both art (except paint), can be 2-D (or 3-D Must  hang from wall)
maximum dimensions for  works: 40 in x 40 in. Weight 50lbs
 
$20 submission fee for up to 3 works, 1 digital image per 2D work, up to 3 digital images for each 3D piece.  A brief Paragraph  about the materials used and the work in terms of the show’s theme . Please send Jpegs to
Art work must include Title, Medium, Dimensions
 
DATES
Entries Due: Friday, May 14th, 2010
Notification of Acceptance Status: May 17, 2010
Hand Delivery Dates for Accepted Works: Weds, MAY 19th 2010
Opening Reception: Friday May 21st 2010 6-10pm
Pick up: Monday June 14th 2010

I learned metalwork from watching YouTube February 24, 2010

Remediation Progress December 17, 2009

Workforce Video at the Projo! December 1, 2009

Students of steel: Different ages, occupations studying at the Steel Yard in Providence

August 29th, 2009

Eight young adults have been working at the Steel Yard, learning to weld, torch cut, work with jigs, and use power tools and hand tools. They practice their skills making frames for trash cans and then designed and fabricated an intricate fence for the Steel Yard in Providence. They will leave the program with a portfolio and work examples that they can take to future employers. This project is part of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and the Workforce Investment Act, through Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston.

Check out the video here.

Providence Journal video by John Freidah

Your Artist Toolbox September 15, 2009

Dear Yardies,

I'm writing to inform you about "Artist's Professional Toolbox" program. The (Boston) Arts & Business Council is now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 "Artist's Professional Toolbox" program.  

The Toolbox is a program designed to empower emerging and practicing artists to succeed in the business aspects of being a professional artist.  Initially offered in 2005-2006, the Toolbox has been praised by participating artists as a comprehensive and empowering program which has helped them take charge of their careers and achieve their goals.

The Toolbox curriculum was developed in response to surveys and focus groups of over 800 working artists, as well as input from gallery owners, art dealers, museum directors and other professionals, to give artists the tools they need to succeed at the business of being a professional artist. 

 The program addresses three main areas identified as being of chief interest to artists: career planning, marketing, and financial/legal issues. Over the course of 8 months, including an initial day and a half long retreat, artists learn and practice a host of career-enhancing skills, including:  

· Clarifying your own career goals and making a plan to achieve them, all under the guidance and personalized attention of a professional career coach. 

· Marketing strategies, including understanding your customer base, positioning yourself in the market place, branding, developing your own personal marketing plan, and more.  

· Effective networking, including mastering your "elevator speech," talking about your work in any situation, and setting yourself apart.  

· Participating in a portfolio review by gallery owners, directors of visual arts organizations, grant makers, residency program directors and more.  

· Building a supportive network of fellow artists and gaining the value of feedback through structured and facilitated peer groups.  

· Negotiating so that everybody wins, and managing conflict resolution when everyone doesn't.

· Understanding copyright infringement, contract snafus and real estate problems.  

· Financial planning, including tax and estate planning strategies tailored to your needs as a working artist. 

· Managing your time to achieve these and other goals!  

· And Much Much More! ....... 

"Participating in the Toolbox came at just the right time for me, as I was really confused about what direction I needed to take. The Toolbox gave me the tools to analyze my situation, articulate what my work is about, come up with a marketing plan, and now I'm in the process of executing it."     2006-2007 APT Participant  

For more information about the program and an application form, please visit the Arts & Business Council website and click on the "Programs" tab.

Yankee Steam Up! September 15, 2009

The Original Yankee Steam-Up

For model makers, Machinists, Engineers & Historians
Saturday October 3, 2009
8:30AM-4:00PM

1300 Frenchtown Road
East Greenwich, RI 02818

Steam & Compressed Air for Models.
Licensed Boilers & Licensed Engineers.
New Englands Largest Steam-Up Boiler.
Giant Working Steam Engines & Hot Air & IC.

Admission, $15.00         Children under 12 $5.00

All Steam-Up Proceeds go to Upkeep of the Museum
Free Parking         Food on Grounds
Registered Exhibitors No Charge

To register your exhibit please call or E-mail by Sept. 1
Phone: (401) 885-0545,
 E-Mail:
Web Site: http://www.newsm.org
Volunteers please call or E-mail

Community Music Works at the Steel Yard September 8, 2009

Community Music Works' summer program performed their first ever show last month at the Steel Yard!

Check it out!

4 Thieves: New works by Monica Shinn, Andrew Moon Bain, Anna Shapiro and Angel Quinonez September 1, 2009

4 Thieves

Monica Shinn, Andrew Moon Bain, Anna Shapiro, Angel Quinonez

Sept 17-Sept 29, 2009

Opening Party: September 19th
6-10pm | free
Live Music & Dance Party
after 10pm | $5

Butcher Rings
Atlantic Thrills
Micah Jackson

Firehouse 13
41 Central St. Providence, RI
401-270-1801
www.firehouse13.org

Less is More July 21, 2009

Today an office mate leaned over my shoulder and whispered a secret.  Now I'm going to share that secret with you.  Obviously I can't be trusted.

Ecofont!

Ecofont is a font designed to use 20% less ink than a standard body text font.  Full of small holes that make it look like swiss cheese, when printed, it looks just any other san serif type face.  Best part is, its free to download!

Get it here.

New Work by Lu Heintz June 3, 2009

Lu - Mama Turkey

New show at KMOCA

Molting: New sculpture by Lu Heintz

Opening reception
 Saturday, June 6, 5-7pm

Lu Heintz's latest show, Molting, presents a collection of sculpture combining the strength of her metalwork with more delicate materials culled from her personal life. The contrast helps to suggest a subtle dialogue between toughness and femininity, between builder and dreamer.
 
The metal portions are heated in a coal forge and hand-fashioned on an anvil, traditional blacksmithing techniques that require a lot of strength. The softer aspects of the work include such materials as wool from sheep Heintz helped raise, fur from her pet dog, and hair from her own brush. These elements speak to a molting process (hence the show's title) through which we shed the old and make space for the new.
 
Lu Heintz grew up in a remote portion of north central Vermont. She spent most of her childhood outside, and the landscapes of the natural world are a constant feature in her work. She began metalsmithing at age 15 and has steadily produced sculptural and architectural commissions since graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2001.
 
Heintz has received grants from both the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. Her work has been featured in numerous trade magazines and group shows. Her first solo show was in Providence, RI, in 2006. This is her second solo show.
 
Molting continues at KMOCA through June 27.

Regular hours are Saturdays 12 - 4, or by appointment.

Kingston Museum of Contemporary Arts
103 Abeel Street, Kingston.
 
http://www.kmoca.org
http://www.myspace.com/kmoca

Fragile Memory May 19, 2009

A fragile memory: turn of the century glass negatives from Providence Public Library's Special Collections Department

Monday, June 1st – Saturday, June 27th 2009
Opening Reception June 1st, 6-8pm
Lectures begin at 6:30 PM

Providence Public Library
Special Collections Exhibition Hall
150 Empire Street
Providence RI 02903

Over one thousand glass plate negatives have long lain forgotten in the Special Collections of the Providence Public Library. Now a select handful of them will be hand printed and revealed to the public eye, possibly for the very first time. The project was conceived and curated by Agata Michalowska and was brought to bear through a close collaboration with local photographers working out of the AS220 Paul Krot Community Darkrooms. Around two dozen plates will be printed and exhibited along with a selection of glass negatives. The plates represent a wide range of topics including portraits of wealthy Rhode Island families, interiors of textile factories, and landscapes of New England. These glass negatives constitute a cabinet of wonders and a glimpse of a world long past.

Michalowska, the Special Collections, and AS220 Darkrooms hope the editions will offer the community a valuable resource and that additionally, sales of the photographs, might help provide financially for the long term archival storage of these delicate plates.  An edition of the prints is also being donated to AS220's Darkroom Program and a number of these will be part of the biennial Photo Lottery fundraiser returning to AS220 this May 30th.

During the opening reception, James DaMico and Richard Ring will lend their expertise to help us further imagine the stories these photographs quietly suggest. DaMico, the Rhode Island Historical Society's Graphics Archivist, will talk about the technical development of photography with his presentation "Glass plate negatives: A Look at a 19th Century Photographic Innovation". DaMico will also discuss how Rhode Island photographers, both amateur and professional, were making use of the glass plate technology. Richard Ring, Providence's Special Collections Librarian, will offer us a historical perspective on the city at the dawn of the twentieth century with his presentation, "The Beehive of Industry: Providence in the Late Victorian Era, 1890-1910”. The contemporary use of the glass plate technique will be presented by Paul Taylor, a Master Photogravure Plate Maker, Director of Renaissance Press and a instructor at Rhode Island School of Design. Taylor will exhibit glass negatives and prints that he made of New England landscapes. That evening additional artifacts of photography will be shown, including a turn of the century camera and a magic lantern together with glass slides. The presentations will start at 6:30 PM.

AS220's Paul Krot Community Darkrooms are the only public B&W facilities in Rhode Island.  Their mission includes accessibility for all artists, affordable space, and providing low and no-cost educational opportunities. The Special Collections department houses over 40,000 books, posters, pamphlets, photographs, broadsides, manuscripts, and other artifacts in an attempt to preserve, augment, and provide public access to these collections.

For more information about this free event, please contact:

Agata Michalowska -
curator, "A fragile Memory" project
401-527-1240

Steel Yard on BSR! May 14, 2009

Brown Student Radio (BSR) recently did a piece on the Steel Yard.  It consists of compiled interviews from our students.  The full episode aired last week, but you can listen to the archive here.

Read the full post here.

Washington bridge bike path, now open! May 9, 2009

Finally, cyclists from Providence can ride the East Bay Bike Path without crossing the Henderson Bridge and risking life and limb.

From thebiggestlittle.org

(photo: efo on Flickr)

Summer Volunteer Housing May 6, 2009

Hey Yardies!

The Steel Yard is hosting 10 more Ohio State Univeristy volunteers from June 14th - the 20th!  We are looking for an inexpensive place where they can stay during that week.  All they need is room to spread out 10 sleeping bags plus a restroom with a shower. 

If you have some available space please e-mail .

Thanks!

Old Friends / New Visions II May 4, 2009

An exhibit of painting, photography and sculpture at the Chapel Gallery.  See the work of Terrence J. Boylan, Richard B. Grant, and Ed Lyman Rondeau during the month of May. 

Gallery hours are Sunday - Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.  Meet the artists on May 21st from 5:00 - 9:00 pm.

134 Mathewson Street in Providence. 

Bike Trailer Photos April 16, 2009

For those of you who follow our course offerings (who doesn't??), you should know that our first offering of "Build a Bike Trailer" is underway.  If you weren't able to take the class, but want in on the fun, check out current photos on our Flickr page. 

Slow Motion Welding January 19, 2009

Check out this wild slow-mo: