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mack glass to perform art works upfront bcpa downtown

Christmas Gets “Fired Up” at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts

As the year begins to wind down and the Christmas season is set to begin, things will be heating up at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts…literally.
Join Jason Mack, owner of local glassblowing studio Mack Glass, and his team of artists as they wind hot glass into branches and needles of a Christmas tree. Mack and company will have their furnace on site and will be melting recycled glass at 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the glass is liquid, they will begin ladling it onto a large steel armature, while rotating the frame to create a spun effect.
The public is invited to view this process, which will take place the first two weekends in December. Join Jason and his team December 4-6 and 11-13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day on the front lawn of the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts. It’s a perfect backdrop for taking photos with family and friends.
“We’ll take the glass bottles and jars that are donated to us, break them up and shovel them into the furnace. The labels, caps, spaghetti sauce, baby food, or whatever remains of the contents gets burned away and out comes a crystal-like substance. The community helps build the work and becomes a part of the work. That’s what makes the tree event so exciting; it’s about building something together.”
Mack Glass will have an array of hand-blown glass items on sale just inside the BCPA near the ticket window to help fund the building of the tree. They also have a special gift for anyone who helps support their project with a donation of $25 or more. The community is encouraged to bring their clear and green glass of any kind, with the exception of window glass, to help build the tree. If interested in contributing to this project, contact Jason Mack at (630) 303-0493.
Mack Glass Company, LLC was established by Jason Mack in April 2008 as a vehicle for producing glass sculpture and fine art events. Currently, their home base is situated in a late 19th century factory in Bloomington, IL. The company is composed of three core members and a number of freelance artists who vary depending on the production. You can find Mack Glass online, including photos of last year’s Christmas tree, at http://www.mackglass.com.

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www.worldsbestphotos.blogspot.com , call for a quote, 309 824 9176

meters pay back in one year and pay for other improvements and increases retail sales dramatically.

doug farr drives home meters for downtown

by anthony saluto oct 1 2009

the presentation of the downtown redevelopment plan was presented to about 75 last night. the smallest crowd of the 3 mega meetings that have taken place during the plans year long development. farr says meters all the way. they are worth around 100k to retail sales each. all day parkers have to go. customers have to have to access to stores. the city will have them paid for in one year with all the computers etc. year two is profits to help do some of the other improvements like streetscapes, green spaces, etc.. all your neighbors have them, springfiield, champaign, and peoria, farr says. it was added normal is looking at doing them too. farr says, some are so smart, you can just wave your cell phone at them and they fill.

i know a lot of retailers that are swaying back and forth on being able to stay downtown with the current parking suffocation. many i would think would like to see the meters happen sooner than later. unfortunately when i hear the word streetscapes. thats a long process. i wouldn't think meters could get the green light until there is a final walk to install them to.

and actually this whole plan came to a finale rather quickly for the scope that it was. maybe if bloomington city council sees money in the way of meters, they will jump on it. so how long before meters are saving retail stores downtown, the meters could happen fast, since the money has been found to work on the streescapes on the rest of main street downtown.

farr says, have some greeters, info stations, pointing out tourists attractions downtown. slow down traffic around downtown to 20 mph, or so. families and neighbors will come more.

building around downtown will see 1200 condos over 20 years, trails will be extended, farr says. 20 more stores on n main, front, and washington should be developed to fill in empty spaces, and some town homes, to cushion into single family a little further. make it so everyone wants to filter into downtown from these neighborhoods, farr explains.

stroll the hill merchants association looks forward to meters so that customers will have hundreds of parking spaces freed up for parking near their desired destination.

a few shots from my studio