This year our theme of “Growing Pains” became quite literal what with the chaos of ticket sales, our very hastily trained Gate staff, and the necessitated moderately dramatic relocation. There are may questions and small hurdles for Balsa Man going forward and we would like to hear your feedback — as long as it isn’t excessively loquacious.

A general response highlighting the most prominent feedback will be posted later on the Balsa Blog. We want to hear from new and old Balsars alike. Please email your comments both good and bad to gro.namaslabnull@kcabdeef or in the comments below.

Thanks for taking the tiny amount of time to contribute your thoughts. We promise our intern will at least glean what you have to say. Looking forward to 2012!

Really this is the last time — we swear on our grandmother’s grave. We worked are asses off on this issue so you all better actually read the whole thing this time!

In case you missed last year’s issue of Dress Warm here’s a PDF of the issue! Dress Warm, September 2010 [pdf]

Pre-release copies of the 2011 issue of Dress Warm will be available at tonight and tomorrow’s Balsa Social! Of course, Dress Warm will also be available at the Balsa Man event and the Balsa Black Rock Regional.

And here is a exclusive sneak peak at the cover for the 2011 issue of Dress Warm!

Save the Tiny Man, photo by sninky-chan

Balsa Man is hosting two pre-burn Balsa Socials after work this Thursday and Friday. We encourage all you tiny art enthusiasts to come enjoy a beer and meet your fellow balsars! A Balsa Man representative will be on hand for sales of tickets, stickers, and patches.

San Francisco Balsa Social

Thursday 6pm at The Sycamore
2140 Mission, between 17th & 18th
Great beers, and delicious tiny sliders!

Oakland Balsa Social

Friday 6pm at The Trappist
460 8th Street
Amazing Belgian specialty beers! The distinguished tiny artist Morleyroarly, lead artist for The Temple of Baby Steps will be there!

 Suzanne Forbes was there creating her largest sculpture yet, a huge phoenix. You may remember Suzanne from some of her gorgeous works from years prior like the magnificent Balsa Betty.

Many tiny artists were thankful for the balsa wood and tools provided by the Black Pebble Arts Foundation — which we were able to provide thanks to our donors! New tiny artists such as Tom Cauchois were able to show up with only a ounce of an idea and leave with a finished art project!

At the end of the evening Tom had finished his COLINWOOD sign. We interviewed Tom and he had this to say…

My affection for Balsa Man triggered the connection in my brain and heart to combine a “take” on the famous “Harveywood” sign, the name of Colin, founder of Balsa Man, and how his passion for art has turned Baker Beach into a thriving tinytropolis full of art.  I also hoped to create an art platform that would honor all of the fabulous artists whose works have thrilled me since my arrival on baker beach for the first time.

Granted we have no idea what this “famous Harveywood sign” is — when pressed he said it was a in-joke among Black Rock Desert campers — but hey at least it means something to Tom.

The BPAF looks forward to seeing all this tiny art and more at this year’s Balsa Man!

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.

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.

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.

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!