Loving the Raygun Gothic Rocketship!

The talented creators of the Raygun Gothic Rocketship, which is part of the Black Rock Arts Foundation Civic Arts Program, received this drawing the other day. The artist had been to San Francisco and fallen in love with the Rocketship and wanted to creator to have a copy, so we are sharing this graphite rendering with you. This is what the artist had to say!

Dear Raygun Gothic Rocket Creators,

I was unaware that this magnificent sculpture existed until I went to San Francisco last November. The Raygun is a fantasy come to life. My only regret is that it’s not a bit closer to where I live so I could visit it again and again. While there, I took several photos for my own enjoyment, but decided I had to draw a study in graphite (If I can’t have the real thing, then at least I can have a picture on my wall) which I wanted to share with you.

I am a printer by profession, but create works on paper in pencil and occasionaly sell a piece here and there.

Thank you for making a SF geek’s dream come to life. Please enjoy the drawing.

artist: Christiane Raymond

Fashion in Russia!

One of our 2009 Grantees, Cardboardia, in Moscow, put on a Haute Couture Fashion Show recently and it is delightful. It put a big smile on my face!

Valiant Flower

Picture 057, a photo by arts.commission on Flickr.

A crowd gathers around Karen Cusolito's Valiant Flower on Market Street. It is part of Market Street Blooms. The Black Rock Arts Foundation collaborated with the San Francisco Arts Commission.

Kind of looks like a tour group. What do you think?

Happy 4th of July from Bliss Dance

Bliss danced with her friends, and photographer Sidney Erthel on the 4th of July and we hope your holiday was just as beautiful. Sidney Erthal’s 2010 Burning Man photos

A treat showed up in our email box last week from Roy Two Thousand, who I met at the Bliss Dance Opening Ceremony on Treasure Island. He sent a time lapse video with his original music, of the Opening.



To read more about the Bliss Dance Opening Ceremony – Click Here

BRAF Represents at Desert Arts Preview

The Desert Arts Preview is Burning Man's very popular annual artist lecture series, where you are given a sneak preview of some of the many notable art projects in progress right now for Burning Man 2011. You hear directly from artists who are creating spectacular works of art, often in highly collaborative ways. Some have been doing work on the playa many years and will be sharing humorous war stories associated with creating art under extreme conditions.

Once again the Black Rock Arts Foundation was invited to speak. Tomas McCabe, our Executive Director spoke about both our Civic Arts Program and ScrapEden Program and Josie Schmike, our Program and Development Assistant, spoke about the Grants to Artists Program. I loved it and hope you did too.

Desert Arts Preview Webcast

photos: Patricia "Aishah" Rusich

Spire of Fire Lights Up Downtown Reno

Fire and music create a gathering for hundreds of participants each Tuesday and Wednesday night in July as part of Artown. Over 1,000 people gathered at the corner of Sierra Street and Island Ave for the opening of the temporary interactive art installation and performance venue. Hundreds of adults and children have enjoyed the unique experience of controlling a pulsing tower of flame effects while DJ’s spin dance music for the performers and pubic alike.

Brought to Reno by the Black Rock Arts Foundation and exhibited at Burning Man in 2010, Spire of Fire, by artists Steve Atkins and Eric Smith, towers over 48 feet above the Riverwalk. The tower of pulsing flame effects will be the site of continued fire dance performances by Controlled Burn each Tuesday night at 8:30pm, with “Get Hooped” taking over Wednesdays with Velocity Movement and BoHo Hoops. All of the performances are free to the public with Tuesdays featuring a beer and wine garden provided by Wild River Grille.

“We believe the ongoing exhibition of Spire of Fire during Artown will ignite the community’s passions in many ways,” said Crimson Rose, Member Board of Directors, BRAF and Art Director for Burning Man. “By enhancing civic space through the temporary transformation of an empty lot into an inviting art space and establishing a creative gathering spot for Reno citizens, BRAF continues to bring the culture of Burning Man to downtown Reno for those who have never experienced the event in the desert.”

During Artown, fire dancers and spinners from Controlled Burn will entertain Tuesday evenings 8:30pm – 10:00pm.

Hula Hoopers from Velocity Movement and BoHo Hoops present “GET HOOPED” at Hoop Jams on Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm-8:30pm. All levels and ages are welcome.

Mark Hammon’s photos of the Spire of Fire Opening

Spire of Fire photos

Jim Freeman’s from “Downtown Reno” Photos

video: Freddy Hahne
photos: Mark Hammon