We hear at Balsa Man Org is overwhelmingly excited to announce that the excellent Angelica Aguilar has volunteered to head up San Diego’s first Balsa Man Regional! Angelica is a multi-talented Ecologist, SFX artist, and geek, and a totally bad-assed hoop dancer.

And here she is to announcing the San Diego Balsa Regional in her own words…

San Diego Balsa Man Regional Lead and bad-assed hooper Angelica

San Diego will be hosting it’s very first Balsa Man event on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 5:30pm.  The event will take place at one of the bonfire pits on Fiesta Island (look for the pit with the Balsa Man!).  This year’s man will be 2.5 feet tall, with a fire pit as the base, to celebrate one of San Diego’s favorite summer past times.  The man will burn 7pm, just before sunset.

We look forward to all the tiny art that the community will bring.  Please remember that the burning of artwork, along with cleanup, is the responsibility of the artist.  However, because the man base is a fire pit, we will also permit tiny art to be thrown in after the man falls.  We have a couple tiny DJ sets lined up already, and will have supplies available with which to make tiny s’mores!

More information can be found on the Facebook event page. If you would like to get involved or have questions about the regional you can email gro.namaslabnull@DSaslab.

We are overwhelmingly excited for this year’s Temple! We weren’t even sure for a while there that there would be a temple this year.

Unfortunately, when grant committee member Sunshine saw the front of the postcard she suddenly leaped out of her chair and ran out screaming “Not Happy Birthday!!! Not Happy Birthday!!!” The last time Sunshine reacted so vehementally to an art grant request was for the Roving Hoagie back in 2009. After waiting a whole 6 minutes for Sunshine to get back, the committee decided to go on without her.

Temple of Baby Steps by Morley (front)

Temple of Baby Steps by Morley (back)

Ms. Morley Roarly, the artist who submitted this proposal, was involved in 2009 with the Balsa Man Krew and is a well recognized tiny artist. We are honored to have her take on the mantle of building the temple for 2011.

Some on the committee were concerned by the lack of any sketch or even hint at a design, but in the end it was agreed to award her the grant based on her meticulous handwriting and the theme-perfect name The Temple of Baby Steps. Congratulations Ms. Morley Roarly, the Black Pebble Arts Foundation has awarded you a nearly-full request of $34.90! *

*Randy Razorwire demanded we minus 10¢ for misspelling the word bourbon.

After the huge success of last year’s first Balsa Opera, we were overjoyed to receive notice that Fred Rinne is bringing his magic back to Balsa Man 2011! Sunshine was so touched by last year’s opera that she cried.

Balsa Opera by Fred (front)

Balsa Opera by Fred (back)

It is will unreserved glee that we unanimously voted to grant Fred Rinne his full grant request of $5.00 for the Balsa Man Opera Kunstgruppe! Fred Rinne will also be granted a complimentary Balsa Man Sticker and 5 tickets for Balsa Man for his acting troupe.

Last night the Black Pebble Arts Foundation Art Grant Committee met for the first time. And this was the first art grant in out inbox. I mean really…

Big Worms by Billfrog (front)

The description on the back was slightly better. I mean Razor thought the sketch of the worm was rad at least.

Big Worms by Billfrog (back)

Grant committee member Sunshine just wanted to throw it in the trash but we wouldn’t let her. Others wanted to give it a grant for shitz and giggles. If there was anything the committee agreed on it was that ”Gimme lots of $ or I’ll poke you w/ my penis”  was not a proper grant request monetary amount.

Razor suggested we just give a grant based on how many letters were in the proposal, which everyone decided was good enough. We even allowed punctuation to count because we were feeling generous.

Congratulations Billfrog you have been awarded a grant of $2.81 and a complimentary sticker and artist ticket to Balsa Man!

Balsa Man Japan at sunset, photo by cabcab

Once again Balsa Man is being celebrated around the world! Both Balsa Man Japan and Balsa Blighty, the London Balsa Regional are on again after such a resounding joyful success they were last year!

Check out the write up from Balsa Man Japan 2010  and the video from Balsa Blighty 2010!

Whether you live across the Pacific pond or the Atlantic pond highly encourage you to join the tiny fun!

Balsa Man Japan

Date: Aug 21nd, Sunday, 5pm
Location: TBA; contact gro.namaslabnull@napajaslab

Balsa Man Japan Twitter
Balsa Man Japan website
Balsa Man Japan Facebook Event

Balsa Blighty, Balsa Man London

Date: Sep 3rd, 7–10pm
Location: TBA; follow Balsa Blighty on Twitter or Facebook

Balsa Blighty Twitter
Balsa Blighty Facebook
Balsa Blighty Facebook Event

Balsa Betty being built at the 2010 Tiny Art Party

Are your Xactos sharp? Is your glue ready to stick? Got wood?

Actually I don’t care what your answer is come anyway, even if you only have an ounce of an idea and not a scrap of balsa. Supplies will be provided as will the creative spirit! You may walk away inspired or just have fun lending a hand to other tiny artists trying to realize their small dream.

This art party is welcome to Tiny Artists who are attending the main event or the Black Rock Balsa Regional. The Black Rock Regional Lead, Feral will be there if you have any questions about the regional or if just want to congratulate her!

San Francisco Tiny Art Build Party

Thursday Aug 18th
6:30pm to 11pm-ish
Location is near Guerrero and 16th St in the Mission. Email gro.namaslabnull@ofni for exact location.

Note to the allergy prone and the ailurophobic: there are cats.

RSVP on the Facebook event page

Build Party FAQ

• Will there be free food and booze?
  • Maybe but don’t count on it. While it’s not required, anyone who brings potluck food will be greeted with joyful squeals of glee!*
• Will there be art materials & tools for me to use?
  • The BPAF has donated some art materials (wood and glue) and tools (pencils, knifes, and rulers); however is is highly recommended that you bring your own art supplies/tools if you have a specific project in mind.
  • In-kind donations of extra art materials are always welcome!*
• Can I buy tickets, patches and stickers to help support tiny art at the event?
  • but of course! As long as we have received them in time.
• Can I hand deliver my art grant proposal at the event?
  • Yes! A representative from the Black Pebble Arts Foundation will be on present to accept art grant proposals.
• I have fear of leaving the East bay
  • There will be likely be an Easy Bay Tiny Art Party later this month.

*Particularly bountiful (or delicious) in-kind donations of art materials or shared food will be receive a special gift from the Black Pebble Arts Foundation.

We hope to see you and your creativity at the San Francisco Tiny Art Build Party!