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Propolis at the Orlando Mini Maker Faire 2012
The Orlando Mini Maker Faire was quite the success! It was much larger and better attended than I could have hoped for and many people, kids especially, seemed to enjoy Propolis. We were placed in the dark room next to the R2 Builders and I had a blast meeting and talking to other makers and makers in the making.
The first ever Orlando Mini Maker Faire is coming up May 26th at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. I am really excited to be a Featured Maker and to have the opportunity to show Propolis again. I am also looking forward to meeting other Makers in the area – the Faire has been more popular than expected and they have had to move to a larger venue. Orlando is certainly not known for it’s art/maker community but it is there and much more vibrant than I expected. Come check it out if you are in the area!
Despite my previous assertion that David and would not be attending Burning Man this year, we are of course going. I am going back to the Bay area for a week to help out the Flux Foundation with their piece, Zoa. I’m excited to get back in the shop and get dirty again and I can’t wait for the crappy San Francisco summer weather – I need a break from this heat! I will also be attending the Bay Area Maker Faire and I am looking forward to a weekend of amazing people and inspiration.
David and I moved to Orlando, FL back in October of 2011. We have spent the last 4 months renovating our house and planning our wedding (are we nuts? yes. yes we are.). I have not had much time to explore the art scene in Orlando yet, though I have learned enough to know that yes, there is an art scene in Orlando. It’s just a little spread out.
First off I found Burnt Oranges, the local Burning Man non-profit. They put on 2 local burns a year and provide grants for local artists. I also found the local Maker Space, FamiLab right around the time they were moving in to a new and larger space and starting to build a metal studio. While it’s still in the works, it is super exciting to see it coming together. They are also hosting the first ever Orlando Mini Maker Faire May 26, 2012 in which I am a featured maker with Propolis. I have also been told about but have not yet visited the Crealde School of Art, a community organization that provides classes and studio space for local artists.
Now that I have some more free time I need to explore and get involved with the scene here. I will also be making in out to San Francisco in May for Maker Faire and hopefully later in the summer to help out with some Burning Man projects. David and I are not planning on attending the Burn this year, and while I do feel a little sad I am excited for what comes next. And no worries, we’ll be back on the playa soon enough!
A lot has been going on recently, both professionally and personally. In April I finished up a class at Pratt called Sculpture in Motion. I worked in wood for the first time and made a piece that explores a variety of motions and in which the mechanism is part of the art. Though currently unfinished, it will be shown in the Pratt lobby with other works from the class in July 2011.
The Alley Art Project has mostly wrapped up. We installed the panels and sculpture in the alley last week and they are ready and waiting for our opening on Thursday, May 5th. Each of the interns will be displaying a work for the evening (or longer). It should be a fun party with music, food, and of course good company.
I was also recently contacted by Beyond Wonderland asking if I wanted to show Propolis for their event. Luckily I just obtained replacement circuit boards and have finished up soldering all the lights back together so we’re good to go. So, Propolis will be back up and running on May 14th for what looks like an amazing party.
This summer is shaping up to be completely insane. I’ll be traveling for much of it, going to Maker Faire for the first time as well as Burning Man (of course!), and also hopefully working with the Flaming Lotus Girls down in San Francisco.