Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Van Gogh's sunflowers used to just be visible on a canvas in a climate-controlled museum, but starting Aug. 12 they'll take over the walls, ceiling and floors of Lighthouse Minneapolis at 1515 Central Av. NE. along with "Starry Night" and 400 other paintings.

Visitors to "Immersive Van Gogh" can become part of the art rather than just experiencing it. Extra points if one wears a white shirt and actually becomes the canvas for these digitally projected works.

Thinking about what Van Gogh might have imagined seeing before he passed away, Italian digital artist Massimiliano Siccardi created this hour-long, animated installation.

"Massimiliano is the [Steven] Spielberg of immersive installation art," said producer Corey Ross. "He's been doing this in Europe for 30 years and sold millions of tickets."

In true Hollywood form, U.S. audiences caught a glimpse of Siccardi's work in episode 5 of the Netflix show "Emily in Paris." His Van Gogh-themed light show from the Atelier des Lumires in Paris was featured in the show.

To date, more than 2 million tickets have been sold in 20 venues across North America, including Toronto, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Minneapolis tickets will run from $40 for off-peak hours to $100 for a VIP experience that includes souvenir merch.

The setup for each installation is quite simple: Choose an interesting building, map it, then plan the install. Everything in the building's guts becomes part of the experience, but it's the architecture that makes each city a unique experience.

Much like the recent up-close-and-personal immersive installation of "Sistine Chapel" at the Mall of America, visitors to "Immersive Van Gogh" can catch details they'd never be able to see in a museum.

"You see the scope of this 500,000 cubic feet of projection," said Ross. "You see these pieces blown up and see the brush strokes, paint specks. You'll never see an original piece under a microscope but here you can see those techniques."

Ross compared Siccardi's technique to the way a DJ samples songs, transforming tunes into completely new ones.

Yet "Immersive Van Gogh" is both an animated film and an art exhibition. But really, it's an experience that you have to witness in-person, a pleasant break from screen-filled Zoom lives.

"It becomes emotional because it dives into Van Gogh's mind," said Ross.

Excerpt from:
'Immersive Van Gogh' will turn a Minneapolis building into participatory art - Minneapolis Star Tribune

NEW ORLEANS (press release) The Terra Foundation for American Art has announced the awarding of nearly $2.5 million in grants to 35 arts and cultural organizations in the United States, including Ogden Museum of Southern Art. These grants support projects through the foundations new two-year exhibition grant initiative, Re-envisioning Permanent Collections: An Initiative for U.S. Museums. Awarded $75,000 from The Terra Foundation, in 2023, Ogden Museum will present a collection re-installation titled The New Story of the South: A 20th Anniversary Exhibition.

The New Story of the South: A 20th Anniversary Exhibition will draw from Ogden Museums permanent collection to trace the history of the visual arts of the American South from the early-19th century to the present. Spanning all five floors of the museum, this exhibition will be organized chronologically by movement and genre.

Building upon the grand opening exhibition of the collection in 2003, this iteration will seek to dispel antiquated stereotypes, promote inclusivity and representation, and examine under-represented artists contributions in consideration of the indomitable presence of place, says William Pittman Andrews, Executive Director of Ogden Museum.

The New Story of the South will illustrate how the collection and the adjacent scholarship has grown to more fully represent the diversity of the region while honestly engaging the complicated and often tragic history of the South, says Bradley Sumrall, Curator of the Collection. It will trace how artists in the American South with every developing art movement responded with a characteristic blend of tradition and innovation.

Drawing inspiration from Ralph Ellison, who said knowing where we are has a lot to do with our knowing who we are, this exhibition will provide a portrait of place. With a geographic region spanning from Baltimore to Miami to El Paso, The New Story of the South will highlight the diversity of the South its histories, cultures and proximate traditions offering a view of Southern identity that is inclusive and representative of its people. The exhibition seeks to further examine the critical role that museums can play in confronting the past, embracing the future and being a bridge for the reconciliation of both.

Subjects that will be explored through the exhibition and associated programming include women in Southern abstraction, photography of the Civil Rights Movement, LGBTQ+ artists in the deep South, the immigrant experience in the American South, and the role of art in developing community. A series of lectures and discussions will support this exhibition, both online and in-person.

Excerpt from:
Ogden Museum of Southern Art Awarded $75,000 by The Terra Foundation for The New Story of the South: A 20th Anniversary Exhibition - My New Orleans

Their home was built in the 1890s, and their front door was likely the first and only front door the home had ever had -- until now.

As winners of LumBros. Building Solutions first-ever "Shut the Front Door!" contest, the Steinkes just got a brand new front door, at no cost to them. The door was professionally installed on June 25 by Justin Waagmeester, of Detroit Lakes-based Limitless Carpentry.

The Steinkes worked with LumBros. to select the door, deciding on a Bayer Built Front Entry Door with a craftsman style and rich wood tone that matches the overall look of their home and its original wood trim and floors.

Originally built on Summit Avenue, the house was relocated to its current spot near Snappy Park sometime in the 1950s or 60s, the Steinkes believe. While they love the look and feel of the historic house, they said they wont miss the old front door, which was an energy-sucker and would sometimes stick, making it hard to open and close.

Were just really appreciative; it's such a blessing to us, Katie said of winning the contest, adding with a laugh that, "I dont know if we ever would have replaced that door ourselves!

The Steinke family, from left: Simon, Raven, Abram, Katie, Corey and Lucy. (Submitted Photo)

The "Shut the Front Door!" contest called on the community to submit nominations for worthy winners of a new front door, and the Steinkes received several nominations, according to Susie Felt, who runs LumBros. with her husband, Zach.

Katie said a Facebook post she made about the contest probably helped garner some of those nominations. The post included a link to contest information along with a comment that said something along the lines of, We could really use this!

"The front door is over 100 years old. It has a big crack in it where you can see the sun shine through it and feel the cold air blow through it," stated one of the Steinke family's nominations. Another stated, "They (the Steinkes) are both amazing people and do so much for everyone around them without expecting anything in return. Their front door is in desperate need of a change. It lets in too much cold air and they have to block it off to hold in heat."

LumBros. received more than 45 nominations in all for the contest, according to Felt. They intend to make "Shut the Front Door!" an annual contest, as they've found it to be a fun promotion that also helps make a positive difference in the community.

For more information about future contests, follow the LumBros. Building Solutions Facebook page, or visit the business website, lumbros.com.

The Steinkes' old door was more than 100 years old. (Submitted Photo)

The family's new front door, a Bayer Built front entry door, is more energy efficient while still matching the look and feel of their historic home. (Submitted Photo)

A close-up of the crack in the old door. (Submitted Photo)

Visit link:
Steinke family calls 'Shut the Front Door!' contest win 'a blessing to us' - Detroit Lakes Tribune

A garda who suffered injuries when the lift he was in at a Kerry hotel plummeted three floors to the ground has settled his High Court action.

Paul Meehan, 45, helped other members of his extended family who were seriously injured when the lift at the Killarney Plaza Hotel crashed into the basement car park 10 years ago.

He helped pull the doors of the lift open after it buckled on impact as those inside shouted for help.

In the High Court on Tuesday, the Meehan family counsel Richard Kean SC, with Barney Quirke SC, told Mr Justice Michael Hanna that Mr Meehans case was the last one before the courts in relation to the lift fall and it had been resolved.

Mr Justice Hanna congratulated the parties on reaching a settlement.

After he had helped with other members of his family, Mr Meehan was put in a neck brace and stretchered out of the basement to hospital.

It was later discovered he had suffered injuries to his lower back and knees.

It was claimed he later suffered extreme pain in his knees when he tried to return to sports or running and after any such exertion he would be unable to walk for a few days.

Post traumatic stress

It was also said he suffered daily back pain, had flashbacks of the accident and was diagnosed as suffering from post traumatic stress.

Paul Meehan, from Lucan, Dublin, had sued the hotel owners, Shawcove Ltd with registered offices at Castleisland, Co Kerry, and companies involved in installing and maintaining lifts Ellickson Engineering Ltd, in receivership of Kilmurry, Waterford; Kilell Ltd also of Kilmurry, Waterford; and Otis Ltd, Naas Road Business Park, Dublin and Otis Elevator Ireland Ltd of the same address, as well as lift components manufacturer Daldoss Elevetronic Spa of Valsugana, Italy.

It was claimed there was a failure to ensure the intended pathway from the car park was safe and free from hazard. There was a failure, it was also claimed, to install a proper functioning lift from the car park to the hotel.

Mr Meehan is one of five from the same extended family who sued over the accident as they tried to return to their rooms in the Killarney Plaza Hotel after a wedding ceremony on July 9, 2011.

His brother, Kevin Meehan from Celbridge, Co Kildare, who suffered multiple severe injuries in the lift accident was last week awarded 508,000 by the High Court.

His wife Jennie Wong settled her action on confidential terms and Andrew Meehan and his wife Patricia OLeary, both garda from Co Meath, also settled their actions on confidential terms.

Liability conceded

The court has previously heard liability was conceded in the case in 2019 and the cases were before the court for assessment of damages only.

In 2017, engineering company Ellickson Engineering Ltd now in receivership was fined 750,000 after it was found guilty at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court of a single breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act over the installation of the hotel lift in and around April 2004.

See the article here:
Garda injured when lift in Kerry hotel fell three floors to the ground settles case - Irish Examiner

While wall colors, cabinet finishes and window treatments might be some of the more well-known ways to style a room and the most visible, since all are at eye level the surface beneath your feet is just as important. And today, there are several versatile selections to choose from.

As people of the 21st century, we can benefit from the beauty of different flooring styles and new advancements in the industry, with innovative features that make them suitable for nearly every area of your home.

"Luxury vinyl plank is selling like hotcakes, because it is waterproof, says Kari Muse, who owns C. Dalton Flooring, 2405 Main St., Ste. 6, with her husband, Anthony Muse.

"Because it looks like wood (or tile), you can put it everywhere instead of having it cookie-cutter around the house, she adds.

Christine Prater, owner of The Carpet Lady, 1174 Main St., Ste. C, agrees, and says there are some considerations as to where it should be placed.

"I highly recommend thinking about whether you want to put it on your stairs, she says. "People get used to putting carpet there, and it is a different feel (that affects) how you walk up and down on it.

There are two different types of luxury vinyl plank WPC and SPC.

WPC wood plastic composite has the benefit of being waterproof. For heavily trafficked areas or households with children and pets, SPC stone plastic composite offers greater durability and has the same waterproof features of WPC.

"You can put it in laundry rooms and bathrooms, says Muse. "There are all different wood looks and colors.

And, she says, there is a smooth finish, and a beveled finish. The beveled finish gives the "hardwood styles a more pronounced and authentic look.

"It looks like real wood I have it in my own house, says Prater, adding that it is reasonably priced, beautiful and easy to maintain.

With so many colors and styles to choose from, this versatile flooring option can help elevate a room and give it an all-new feel.

Whether paired with additional architectural elements or installed on its own, luxury vinyl plank could be the design key youve been waiting to discover.

Continued here:
Versatility and Style - Ramona Journal

Wilmington-based JSL Home Repairs started about five years ago and since then has been gradually growing and learning first-hand the wants and needs of area homeowners.

At the same time, residents began learning at first hand what they could expect from JSL Home Repairs.

We deliver quality work. If there is an issue we deal with it head-on. We dont dance around it, said Jake Lambert, owner and CEO who runs the production end of the business and makes the projects happen.

Lambert is originally from Clarksville and his life partner and JSL Office Manager Nita Lambcke is from Wilmington, and they wanted their company to focus on Wilmington and surrounding communities.

Business has been good and the customers have been great, said Lambert.

Early on, the work was basically roofing, siding and gutters as well as a lot of storm claims Nita has a background in catastrophic storm services.

As a general contractor, they now pretty much do anything, said Lambert.

In addition to roofing, siding and gutters, JSL Home Repairs does bathroom and kitchen remodels, flooring, insulation, windows, concrete work, decks, doors and more.

We get calls on anything from installing a toilet seat, to building a pole barn, to a roof, he said.

Along with homes, JSL Home Repairs has roofed churches (Wilmington Baptist Temple) and barns and a three-story building in downtown Wilmington (a metal roof on Rose & Dobyns).

They also did gutters and rubber repair at the Wilmington Public Library, and an extensive redo of the Cowan Lake State Parks Nature Center and bird sanctuary.

The Nature Center project was a full remodel, involving concrete work, a gravel driveway pad, 130 feet of sidewalk, two decks with ramps, two metal roofs, an interior and flooring.

JSL also does work for New Housing Ohio, Inc. in the region.

The range of work they offer is wide, and includes house additions and interior work like complete bathroom remodels, Lambcke said.

JSL has the ability and manpower and experience to be that one-stop shop, she added.

Its been her experience that Wilmington-area residents are looking for a contractor that will do everything, rather than going to five different contractors.

So its nice to provide them an estimate of everything they need. If they need to break it down and do one project and then go to the next, they know they have a little company that can fulfill that for them, said Lambcke.

Take note veterans: JSL offers a 10 percent discount for military, either veterans or active military.

They have a 15-year warranty for a roof replacement.

It has two roofing crews, a couple siding crews and a gutter crew.

JSL has its own gutter machines which can be taken on-site and then perform continuous roll-off gutters at the house, making for seamless gutters instead of sections.

And JSL offers free estimates and free roof inspections.

Soon, there will be a show room at the 712 South South Street offices and base of operations for JSL Home Repairs. There will be display samples of siding and roofing, windows, and maybe some bath items for interior projects.

There are two different forms of financing at JSL. One is through Synchrony which gives you different options including interest-free promotional financing.

Then there is Hearth for which your credit score can be less than perfect. Lambcke called Hearth a good product for those who need it.

Its nice to have different options to give them, she said regarding financing.

Speaking of options, JSL can do roofs of the following types: asphalt shingles, metal, clay or concrete tile, wood shingles or wood shakes, and slate; and for commercial projects or factories there is EPDM synthetic rubber and there is the TPO alternative to rubber.

Both Jake and Nita emphasize the importance of customer service.

Jake said they try to treat customers equally, even if one job is $350 and another project $10,000.

Nita said that at the end of every job each customer no matter how big or small gets a thank you letter and receives a packet that lets them know they can give JSL a review and say how it did. Your feedback is going to make us better in the future, she said.

The company has provided a lot of donated work, said Nita, such as to shelters and the like.

We believe in helping the community, she said.

The past year or so has been a bit challenging due to the pandemic, said Lambert. Workers started wearing masks and JSL paid for staff to get tested for COVID-19.

To fit the company to the changed circumstances, they transitioned a good deal to online for example, for contracts they started using DocuSign as a way to handle electronic agreements. DocuSign offers eSignature, a way to electronically sign upon different devices.

We just adapted to the times. Tried to keep everybody safe, Lambert said.

As a roofer, JSL offers a tarp service. People can call at any hour when water is bursting through a ruptured roof, and if the call is made in the middle of the night, somebody should be there at the break of dawn to cover the area.

This is usually a situation where a tree has come down on a house. JSL has a service where you can get the top of the house waterproofed as an emergency stopgap solution and get the tree off the roof, too, said Lambert.

When weather damages roofing shingles, did you know Ohio is one of a comparatively few states to have a matching law? Thus if your house has, say, older roofing and that type of shingle has been discontinued and is no longer available, then your insurance company must pay for a full replacement because they cant use a shingle-type that doesnt match the rest of the roof in a patch repair job.

Looking ahead to the future, Lambert anticipates they probably will add an excavating service, having obtained Bobcat machinery a while back. He said they would grow into the service, similar to the organic growth that JSL Home Repairs as a whole has seen.

JSL is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business. It is a member of the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business. Jake holds a contractor license with the City of Cincinnati.

The company phone number is 937-382-3350. The email address for Office Manager Nita Lambcke is nita@jslhomerepair.com .

Jake and Nita

Jake

Nita

JSL Home Repairs team

Jake and Nita emphasize customer service

More here:
JSL Home Repairs in Wilmington has the ability, manpower & experience - Wilmington News Journal, OH

Sign up for The Daily Reach, and get all the news thats fit for your inbox.

When City Hall was undergoing its recently completed $38 million renovation, architects Ford, Powell & Carson uncovered 18 shallow niches in walls that formerly held indoor windows, a common source of interior ventilation in buildings built before the advent of air conditioning.

Architect Allison Chambers suggested using the niches for artwork, and the staff of the citys Department of Arts & Culture saw an opportunity. It commissioned six artists to fill those niches, which are situated in groups of three abutting hallways in the main lobbies of floors two, three, and four in City Hall.

The resulting works are by contemporary San Antonio artists Ruth Leonela Buentello, Ana Fernandez, Emily Fleisher, Raul Rene Gonzalez, Megan Harrison, and Mari Hernandez. All reflect aspects of the city they call home. The artists were tasked to consider the theme creative geographies, which could include notions of mapmaking, local culture, and the history of the areas residents.

Gonzalez chose genres of local music as his subject for a set of three paintings. Hernandez created photographic portraits of members of the Tap Pilam Nation. Fernandez depicted three San Antonio streets, while Harrison elegantly framed three views of acequias and local waterways. Buentello highlighted migrants role in the city.

By focusing on the very niches that would hold her artwork, sculptor Emily Fleisher said she tried to pick apart the truth of the site that City Hall is, and always has been, an office building since its construction in 1889.

In her three-part work titled Foundational Elements, Fleisher pays homage to the original City Hall while bringing to light other generally unseen aspects of City operations.

A miniature rendering in concrete of the pre-renovation City Hall is set atop a miniature desk, with a slew of stacked papers and file folders, also cast in concrete, between the building and desk surface.

I thought it would be a fun nod to all of the people who have worked in the building over the years and all the mundane office tasks they must perform, she said.

Behind the more glamorous and public roles of mayor, city manager, and City Council are the many staff members who make City Hall what Councilwoman Melissa Cabello-Havrda (D6) called the house of the people work.

They are the backbone of the city, they are making the city run, she said. Without them, Im not here. Without them, all of the work I try to do to get your streets fixed doesnt happen.

Joining City Hall are miniature renderings of the Bexar County Courthouse and Mission Espada. Above each are glass lamps that echo the three tiny Espada mission bells in the center niche.

Fleishers sculptures sparked a joyful reaction when Cabello-Havrda first saw them, both because Fleisher is a resident of District 6 and her work represents the talent there, and for what she chose to represent.

Those are very important buildings to me as a native San Antonian, the councilwoman said, in that they represent law, government, and the citys deep and complex cultural identity.

While Fleisher highlights the work most constituents of local government rarely see, most members of the public wont be able to see any of the new artworks for some time. Due to standard security precautions, only people with official City Hall business are permitted access inside the buildings newly renovated floors.

An open house is in the works, however, to give San Antonians a chance to see not only the new building, but the artworks that now adorn its many niches and walls, said Department of Arts and Culture Executive Director Debbie Racca-Sittre.

In addition to the six commissioned installations, Stephanie Torres, a senior management analyst with the department, curated a selection of the Citys art collection to fill the walls of the basement level and other floors with framed artworks by a selection of the citys artists.

Included are works on paper by Jose Villalobos, who has lately received national recognition, small portraits in pencil by Csar Martnez, who has been collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and a distinctly Trumpian visage by Richard Armendariz titled Time Will Tell.

The basement features an oil painting honoring the Tuskegee airmen by Howard Roeder Jr., portraits by Anthony Francis, and drawings by Joe de la Cruz, one of which features a Black Lives Matter hoodie.

Racca-Sittre said final approval of the artworks rested with the city managers office, which had no issues with the installation.

In a media statement issued by the city, Mayor Ron Nirenberg praised the inclusion of local art: These artworks bring much more than interior dcor for this space. They intrinsically set the tone for the important issues tackled here, rooting us in the fabric of San Antonio.

Cabello-Havrda emphasized that including art in the seat of local government is a point of distinction for the city.

It warms my heart to go into City Hall and know that Im in San Antonio City Hall, she said. This isnt just any city hall across the country. It is San Antonios City Hall. And you see that everywhere you look in that building. I love this city, this city is my whole heart. Seeing [the art] just inspires me.

Excerpt from:
City Hall renovation includes hallways filled with San Antonio art - San Antonio Report

LIFESTYLEBest events this summer, 2021

Jane Farrell

July 1, 2021 - 7:36

Summer is finally here and weve never been in more need of sun and fun. While it might be tempting to loll about with buckets of ice and savour the sweet salvation of the air con, there are far too many cool happenings to miss out on.

The dramatic Forte di Belvedere is a historic site for some of the citys most interesting exhibitions ever. Under the umbrella title of Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Italys Self-Portrait in the Mirror, two large photographic exhibitions are set up on the three floors of the Buontalenti building. Italiae: From Alinari to the Masters of Contemporary Photography, curated by Rita Scartoni and Luca Criscenti, dives into the archives of the best photography with Italy as its focus, while Pienovuoto, curated by Sergio Risaliti, is dedicated to Como-born Massimo Vitalis contemporary masterpieces. The project by Museo Novecento will be on display from June 25 until October 10, with free entrance. Guided tours and workshops for young photographers can be booked by calling 055 2768224 or emailing [emailprotected]

via di San Leonardo 1, Florence

The 33rd edition of the chamber music festival opens at the Teatro Verdi in Florence with a concert featuring the Orchestra della Toscana, conductor Andrew Litton and a line-up of stellar soloists. Audiences will be treated to Mendelssohns Violin Concerto in E minor with soloist Francesca Dego, with renowned trumpet player Sergei Nakariakov playing his fathers transcription of Tchaikovskys Rococo Variations on the flugelhorn. Alessio Bax is the artistic director for the fifth time and plays Tchaikovskys Piano Concerto No. 1. Following the performance in Florence, events return to the place of the festivals origins at La Foce in the mesmerizing Val dOrcia setting.

via Ghibellina 99, Florence

and La Foce, Val dOrcia

Born in Garessio and living in Turin, Giuseppe Penones sculptural tree in piazza della Signoria has heightened curiosity ahead of the contemporary exhibition to be installed in the Uffizi Gallery this July. Set up in the Detti and Camino rooms, drawings, photographs, sculptures and installations form the series thats scheduled as part of the Dante 700 celebrations. Allusions to the Divine Comedy are peppered throughout the works, as anticipated by the 22-metre tree in front of Palazzo Vecchio that has raised many an eyebrow.

piazzale degli Uffizi 6, Florence

Rifle through the Pimp My Vintage rails to seek out some unique and sustainable garments. One-off items and innovative creations inject some cool into your summer wardrobe, with street art, artists stalls and vinyls mean youll bring home much more than style. See the Facebook event page @PimpMyVintage for info. Free admission.

viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72, Florence

The Tuscan capital will host the first edition of the four-day festivities celebrating kindness. The events mark the signing of the Manifesto delle Citt Gentili, a project by the national Italia Gentile movement and the non-profit My Life Design. The days signify the start of serious efforts to bring about a kinder society and a deepening of values such as optimism, gratitude, joy and forgiveness across diverse fields. The idea was formed during the first lockdown, inspired by the book Biology of Kindness, co-written by Daniel Lumera and Immaculata De Vivo (both will be present during the festival). MUS.E, the City of Florence and TuttoVita ONLUS Association are involved in the events that will take place across the Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Novecento and Santa Maria Novella complex.

Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger (Florence 1568 - 1647) The Cult of Memory is curated by Alessandro Cecchi, Elena Lombardi and Riccardo Spinelli, and explores the cultural legacy of Leonardo di Buonarrota, Michelangelos great-nephew. Born in 1568, four years after the death of his renowned relative, Michelangelo the Younger became a notable figure in his own right in the 17th century, becoming a favourite of the Grand Duchess Cristina di Lorena and a personal friend of the Grand Duke, Cosimo II de Medici. The exhibition explores Michelangelo the Youngers work as a curator, man of letters, poet and his various other endeavours, which led to this collection of first editions, preparatory drawings and paintings. Tickets cost 5-8 euro.

Museo della Casa Buonarroti,

via Ghibellina 70, Florence

Curated by Lucia Mannini with Eva Francioli and Stefania Rispoli, the rooms on the second floor of the museum fill with a solo cycle dedicated to the major 20th-century artist. A participant in many noted exhibitions and prized among private collectors, the show looks at the links between the artist and Tuscany, with intriguing works such as a bronze Ulysses from 1935 and the exceptional Woman Swimming Underwater made from Carrara marble on display.

piazza di Santa Maria Novella 10, Florence

Launching Manifattura Tabacchis latest installation is a three-day programme from June 18 to 20, prompting reflections on humankinds links with nature through a series of talks, workshops, film screenings, and a flower and plant market. A giant installation aimed at encouraging flora and wild fauna fills the loggia that separates piazza dellOrologio from Giardino della Ciminiera. Curated by architect Antonio Perazzi, it acts as an experiential laboratory and is home to 1,555 plants and more than 50 botanical species, installed until September 18. Make sure to check out the open-air cinema in piazza dellOrologio until August 31, set to screen an eclectic mix of genres curated by Fondazione Stensen.

via delle Cascine 33/35, Florence

The Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti fills with soaring strings as musicians from the Cherubini Conservatory of Florence feature in six evenings through to the end of July. The performances take place at 3.30pm on June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, with music by the likes of Chopin, Bach and Beethoven bound to delight audiences in the awe-inspiring setting. Tickets cost 16 euro.

piazza de Pitti 1, Florence

Original post:
Best events this summer, 2021 Our top picks for the months of July and August - The Florentine

Joanna Wilsonbeamedwhen she lookedat her hot pink shipping container with black and white checkered flooring and a mini chandelier.

When she received it, it was a plain-old, dusty, drab, big, nondescript metal box made to carry stuff transatlantic and transcontinental.

"There was nothing, just the container," Wilson said."No floor, no nothing."

But like many of Joanna Wilsons neighbors in the Artisan Marketplace at 16 Tech food hall, she had a vision for and a dream of the business she wanted and how it should look.

Punkins Pies Sweet Treats took months of work and years of dreaming.

It began with her love for baking pies and a day in the kitchen with her daughter experimenting with chocolate covered strawberries. It grew into a dessert catering business named after the childhoodnickname she never grew out of: Punkin. When it came time to expand, AMP food hall seemed to show up at the perfect time, and Punkins was their ideal tenant as a startup with potential.

There were long nights. There were moments when Wilsons imposter syndrome and fear of failure threatened to swallow the project whole.

And then there were moments of joy as the ribbon was cut and Wilson introduced herself and her husband as the official owners of Punkins.

BBQ, arepas, poke and more: You need to try these 19 dishes at AMP food hall at 16 Tech

In the food hall, Punkins stands testament to what can be done when a woman has a vision, family comes together, risks are taken, and a little sparkle is thrown in for good measure.

At Punkins, chocolate covered strawberries and pineapples coated with everything from sparkles to Oreo crumbs fill one case, while caramel apples, truffles and cheesecake fruit bowls fill another. People peer through the glass, carefully making their decisions.

She always hung around the kitchen, cooking or baking, said Jaunice Lee, Wilsons mother and inspiration.

Growing up, Wilsons mom would make at least 20 sweet potato pies at Thanksgiving to feed her large family. Wilson quickly learned to make them as her mother aged and started selling them to other families at the holidays.

She liked making people smile with her pies. When she began making decorated strawberries, she felt the same satisfaction. Wilson had no formal training and mostly taught herself.

People started sending me, Can you do this? Can you make these? Can you make this? she said, gesturing to the case of sweets behind her on a recent morning at AMP. I didnt come up with all these flavors.

Every time someone would request a new flavor or coating, she found a way to make it. She taught herself through YouTube tutorials and spread the word of her home business on social media and word of mouth. She spent long nights in the kitchen preparing orders for weddings and parties. She once went to bed as her husband was waking for work. And there was the challenge of working out of her own home.

Ready to eat out again?: You might find changes at your favorite Indianapolis restaurants

"It was hard with the family, trying to stay sanitized, trying to stay clean," she said."And I'd need my scissors, and myscissors are missing out of my cabinet."

It was worth it though. Someday, Wilson wanted to get a shop where she could sell her desserts, but she wasnt sure where or how or when it would happen, until she learned about AMP.

AMP food hallwas developed by Craig Baker to bean incubatorfor businesses wanting to take the leap of having a retail location without the risk and high rent of having a standalone storefront. Each business is given a shipping container or booth and the freedom to make it their own.

When Wilson decided to move Punkins from her kitchen to AMP, it was all hands on deck.

With handiwork from her husband, Mark Wilson, and help from friends and family, she installed a sink, counters, display cases, signs anddecals. Joanna Wilson received one $5,000 grant, but they spent much more on preparations. Even though she and her husband paid mostly out of their own pocket, she wanted it to look just as good as everyone elses shipping container turned restaurant shop inside AMP.

Meanwhile, friends and family members asked if they could be Joanna Wilson's employees. Michelle Sanders, wife to Joanna Wilsons nephew, told Wilsonshe wanted to work for her before Wilsoneven heard about AMP. Sanders said Wilson'sdrive and vision made it obvious that someday shed have a store.

We always believe that everything happens in Gods timing, Sanders said. So I knew it was bound to happen.I just didnt know when.

Even with all the support, a bit of self-doubt ate at Joanna Wilsonwhen she saw other business owners in AMP who already had owned businesses and restaurants before coming to the food hall. She admittedly was intimidated.

What are Black chefs cooking up?: 50+ Black-owned restaurants to try around Indianapolis

Im scared, she told Mark Wilsonin the weeks leading up to opening. I dont want to do this anymore.

Youre doing this, he told her.

So she did.

On June 3, Joanna Wilson filled AMP hall with nearly 200 family members, friends, customers and Facebook followers she had never met.

Everything matched Punkins colors: She wore a black-and-white stripped dress and pink necklace. She made milk and white chocolate dipped strawberries to go along with pink fizzy drinks. She cut a black-and-white ribbon with a giant pink bowon it to celebrate the opening of Punkins.

Even though she hasnt started officially selling her pies at AMP yet, she sold them on her opening night and dedicated the first slice of sweet potato pie to her 83-year-old mom. Leetook the piece, lifted it over her head and smiled proudly.

A pastor prayed over Punkins and the rest of AMPs businesses and read Psalm 65, a prayer of prosperity.

We want everyone here to prosper, all of us, Joanna Wilson said.

Now acquainted with several of the other business owners in the hall, Joanna Wilson doesnt feel intimidated anymore. Andre Louissaint, owner of Andres BBQ and Seafood, told her that she can use his oven to bake pies. Cindy Hawkins, owner of Circle City Sweets, catered macarons for her sons wedding reception.

I love it, Joanna Wilson said. Im hardly ever home anymore. Im here from morning to night every day.

A lover of all things bling, Joannais an admirer of Gwendolyn Rogers, owner of the Cake Bake Shop. They both love beautiful sweets, edible sparkles, the color pink.

Someday, Joanna Wilsonwants to have a place that has the same magical allure as Cake Bake and more room.

For now, shell bump hips with her employees in her little pink shipping container and laugh about it. For now, she will sigh with relief as she thinks about everything that got her to this point. For now, this is hard work paying off.

Contact IndyStar Pulliam Fellow Lilly St. Angelo atLStAngelo@gannett.com.

Read the original:
Strawberries, a shipping container and some sparkle: The sweet story of Punkin's Pies - IndyStar

For Sale/Rent

This double-unit condo in Lynn is almost too hot to handle.

Photos by Noel Poage

88 Franklin St Unit 103-104, LynnPrice: $499,900Size: 2,114 square feetBedrooms: 2Bathrooms: 2

Converting old businesses into housing is en vogue right now, and hardly surprising, given the age of all the buildings around New England. Check the real estate scene in Boston and youll find it chock full of converted churches. But head north to find a fun variation on the concept: a converted 1890s fire house turned condos. Formerly home to the Ladder 3 Company of the Lynn Fire Department, Ladder 3 Lofts are rumored to have been originally wired by Thomas Edison. The buildings undergone a complete makeover since thenwhich unfortunately means no firemans pole for quick getawaysbut the exterior still sports some gorgeous architectural traits from its original design, including large arched windows and a brick faade.

This bright and spacious double unit currently on the market offers over 2,000 square feet of living space along with the aesthetic of an industrial design lovers dreams. Were talking exposed brick, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. And while there may be no firemans pole, there is an antique ladder to help you get to the top shelf of this homes floor-to-ceiling bookcase.

While the home may have vintage elements, its modern where it matters. The recently updated kitchen has custom cabinetry, granite countertops, high-end stainless steel appliances, a garbage disposal, and a built-in wine fridge that can hold up to 56 bottles. Central air conditioning, ceiling fans, and insulated windows help with climate control throughout the two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit, while a brick patio provides a private place to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is good.

In addition to having an array of contemporary amenities, this firehouse was built near the citys hub. While firefighters may have used this to get to emergencies more quickly, you can take advantage of the location to enjoy all Lynn has to offer. Take a stroll down the block to enjoy some public art in the form of a mosaic mural, installed there during The Beyond Walls Mural Festival in 2019. Walk a little further out to spend some time on the Lynn Common or enjoy a concert at the Lynn Auditorium. Need to commute into the city? The unit comes with two deeded parking spots so you can venture near or far whenever youd like.

For more information, contact Alexis Lograsso, Redfin Corp., redfin.com.

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

Photos by Noel Poage

The Boston Home team has curated a list of the best home design and home remodeling professionals in Boston, including architects, builders, kitchen and bath experts, lighting designers, and more. Get the help you need with FindIt/Boston's guide to home renovation pros.

See the original post here:
On the Market: An Industrial-Style Loft in a Converted Fire House - Boston magazine