Updates from the PAR-Projects blog...

With Brass Meets Bronze 2 less than two weeks away, we thought we'd spotlight a few artists to give an idea of the artistic bar we're setting with this exhibition. Pictured here is one of Robert "Boomer" Moore's pieces that will be featured in Brass Meets Bronze 2. Made from Indigenous Ohio Clay, Stoneware, Slip-cast Whiteware, Glass and Wood, "Drink Me" is a process oriented piece that allows the artist to reflect on his responsibilities as a father. As the West Virginia-based artist states " More conceptual and sculptural in nature, these pieces predominantly have gained their identities from concepts of utility, pacification, and environments stemming from being a parent. As a new parent, I was submersed in new forms and ideas of utility. Ideas bounding from breast-feeding to the same toys I looked at when making pots. However, I found myself looking at toys not as playthings but rather as pacifiers and their importance that infants/kids pl...

1,400 miles and counting... On Saturday, May 10th, the second year of Brass Meets Bronze lands in the heart of MainStrasse Village (Covington, KY) and it recently dawned on me that a lot of folks have no idea the lengths we're going to put this event together. With that in mind, we've decided to create a mini-blog series (thanks Ray) to loop people into this journey …and what could be more fitting than to start with the first major road trip?!? The adventure to bring some exciting out of town work to the Northern Kentucky/Southern Ohio region began last Thursday with a journey to meet up with Felandus Thames , a recent Yale grad who's creating all new work for Brass Meets Bronze 2. Our conversations were rewarding and when all was said and done, it was good to be in New York again …especially since the arts brought us there. Regretfully, we couldn't stay as a few other points were calling. From there, we rolled down to the Washington DC Metro Area to connec...

"Cheers!" to an exciting 2014 season. We're looking forward to sharing all of our collaborative efforts ...and we hope you're ready.

Sometimes you just gotta take a break for a little dancin' and happiness! Hopefully your holiday season treated you well. Cheers to a happy 2014! And if you have a little time on your hands, the 24 Hour video experience can be found at: +  24HoursOfHappy.com

It was about three years ago when Vincent Sansalone introduced us to LOT-EK, the NY-based architectural firm that's widely known (and awarded) for their exceptional repurposing of shipping containers. Since then, we've made it a habit to re-visit LOT-EK.com for inspiration, motivation and a continuos stream of "of course we can" thoughts, often derived from their projects and imagery. Pictured above is Puma City, an early project of the group that served as a retail and event space, created out of 12 repurposed shipping containers. With that, we salute LOT-EK for being an innovator in the field.  PAR  ...and on a side note: Congratulations Mr. Sansalone! We wish you and yours many years of continued joy and dedication.

In this industry, if that's indeed the proper terminology, there are tons of highs and lows. There's your first art sale; there's your first show rejection. There's your first international art exhibition; there's that first time someone steals your concept, then excepts your admiration. Then there's that first invitation. Whatever your take, I'm sure most can see ways to relate the arts to the Rockies: vast, beautiful, treacherous and oftentimes overwhelming. We're talking mountains here. So why be part a part of this mountainous machine some call the art world? When considering this question personally, two things come to mind: What the h___ else would I do? ...and... The moments; those golden moments that can only be achieved by following one's soul are often worth it. Pause: Officially, consider this a two part blog-post as I thought I'd be jotting "Detroit this, shipping container Detroit that by now." In all honesty ...

Don't worry, we'll have more to report in the next few days ...and we'll probably post two or three more blog posts to further detail our visits to Detroit and Chicago. For now though, we'd just like to let you know we had a great meeting with Shel from Detroit Collision Works / First Container yesterday (pictured above) and the energy is definitely high. We're currently in Chicago visiting our shipping container supplier (as well) and touring their facilities ...while grasping all that's possible with these little bundles of steel joy. Still, as our Makers Mobile fundraising campaign is still going strong (40% funded with 14 days remaining), we'd like to invite you to join in before time runs out. Luckily, we get to keep all funds raised AND all donated funds are instantly doubled, so we hope you'll consider visiting http://parprojects.com/MakersMobile to learn more about how you can help us help the creative conversation ...as our adventure ...