VIDEOS

Technology Unsalted!

The Grand Traverse Bay Area has become the technology hub for Northern Michigan. And we have both the data and the videos to prove it!

Earlier this year, I completed a research and science communications project for the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce (http://tcchamber.org/) and their economic development group, Venture North. I found literally hundreds of advanced manufacturing and technology companies. Lots of them are leaders in their fields, with patents and copyrights on logistics systems, laser technologies, precision machine tools, database designs, and lots more.versus_technology_demo_300high

I loved working on this project. Building the website content and interviewing our region’s technology leaders and young entrepreneurs was both enlightening and fun. Their personal stories of challenge and success are simply inspiring. If you’re interested in learning more about Technology Unsalted, take a look at:

http://www.ventureupnorth.com/

And I send out my special thanks to those great people who have shared their personal experiences for my Technology Unsalted interviewstrantek_welders_300high_2, including:

  • Dale Westerman, RJG, Inc.
  • Jeff Pattison, TranTek Automation
  • Fernando Meza, OneUpWeb
  • H.T. Snowday, Versus Technology
  • Jay Mueller, MacUpdate
  • Craig Tremp, Tellurex
  • Marty Lagina, Heritage Sustainable Systems
  • Janese Horton, OneUpWeb
  • Xiomara Cordoba, Heritage Sustainable Systems
  • Kevin Lizenby, TranTek
  • Michael Kent, MacUpdate
  • Marta Trimble, MacUpdate
  • Bonnie Deigh, Versus Technology
  • Maureen Berger, Electro-Optics Technology
  • Elaina Dodds, OneUpWeb

Meet Mixed Media Artist: Bill Allen

Creating video-based narratives is one of my great joys. Working with creative, engaging artists like Bill Allen makes it even better. (The video is for his website.)

With a studio tucked into the hills of Leelanau County, Bill Allen has been creating amazing sculpture forMain_Street_Animals over 30 years. The animals and other creatures are sometimes lifelike, sometimes more fanciful, but always engaging and beautiful.

Over the years, Bill has developed beyond the familiar animal sculptures. His creative drive took him to New York for several years, where he explored new art forms. He began express himself in paintings and wall hangings. Back in Leelanau County, he developed a form of unique mixed media art, including colorfully painted structures that incorporate materials found along the beaches of Lake Michigan.

A man of great integrity and creative drive, BIMG_0684ill is also one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Creating a video presentation callensouthseasshrineof the man and his work was a real pleasure.

Take a good look at Bill’s website to get a feel for his newest work. Of course, you won’t want to miss his animal sculpture either on display at the Main Street Gallery, Leland, MI as well as Shidoni Gallery in Tesuque, New Mexico and Bier Gallery, Charlevois, MI.