Join Me at the Vintage Motorcar Festival

Posted on 06/16/2016 by Terry Rennert

Have some fun plans this weekend to celebrate father’s day? What…you don’t? Then aren’t you in luck, I have just the thing. Grab your dad (or mom…or cat…or spouse…whoever) and head on over to the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival in New Britain this Saturday from 9:30am to 3:00pm.

grounds Come out to admire hundreds of antique and classic cars spanning decades of automotive history, all on a picturesque 40-acre hilltop campus in Connecticut. Wayne Carini of Velocity’s Chasing Classic Cars is the Grand Marshal for the 2016 Vintage Motorcar Festival.

concourso car

Stop by to see me on the Concorso of Supercars which features exotic and one-of-a-kind cars – a perfect fit for my one-of-a-kind ShopBots. I am really honored to be a part of this amazing fundraising event which benefits the Klingberg Family Centers.

All proceeds go to this private, nonprofit multi-service agency who provides help to thousands of persons across Connecticut each year through more than 25 programs and services. They extend hope and healing to children and families whose lives have been affected by abuse, trauma, severe family problems and behavioral health issues.

Hope to see you there!

STEM and STEAM and Robots – Oh My

Posted on 04/12/2016 by Terry Rennert

Most people know that STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. But what about STEAM? STEAM is what you get when you add art to the mix. And if you add robots in too? Then you have STEAM Fair Robotics Expo – now that’s right up my alley.

Danbury Library is having a special STEAM fair in their Hackerspace this May to celebrate individuals in the arts and sciences who focus on robots.The event is being held on May 14th – hope to see you there.

The fair is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hackerspace in the Danbury Library on Main Street.

Gearing up for Springtime

Posted on 04/05/2016 by Terry Rennert

craft in the park walkway

Spring is upon us and I am gearing up for when the Andover Central Park is in full bloom – transformed from the snow-covered greens of recent weeks. On May 7^th I will be in downtown Andover for Crafts in the Park.

Crafts in the Park is an annual event held in Andover, Massachusetts on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. The long-range weather forecast looks very promising…but we all know what New England Spring weather is like, so rest assured this event is held rain or shine.

Celebrating their 41^st year, this event is hosted by The Christ Church. Proceeds from Crafts in the Park will be used to support their mission and outreach to the local community, including Habitat for Humanity, Esperanza Academy, Bread and Roses, Neighbors in Need, Lazarus House, and the Merrimack Valley Project.

Crafts in the Park is held on May 7^th from 10-4pm – so grab your mom and come out to enjoy a fun afternoon for a good cause!

Sharing My Heart

Posted on 02/11/2016 by Terry Rennert

One of the questions that comes up a lot is “how do you do what you do”. When I first started out, I’d share my welding background or stories about a robot that was on display – but I wasn’t sure exactly how to answer that question.

Now as I’ve been exploring and creating more over the past year, I think I have a more concrete answer to that. I build what makes me happy, what speaks to me at the specific moment. I put my energy and all my heart into what I do.

When Rachel at the Elusie Gallery/Big Red Frame in Easthampton Ma. asked me about a piece for an upcoming show I knew just what to share – my heart. When the exhibition is over, the piece is going to the person who will always have my heart – my amazing wife Kimberly.

Robot Profiles : Shinda

Posted on 02/05/2016 by Terry Rennert

Shinda is named for Shindaiwa, a global company that makes outdoor power equipment (leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, edgers etc.) that started in 1955 in Japan with a chain saw. Shinda

I got this weed whacker at a tag sale from a fellow tinkerer, he had customized it into a boat trolling motor…prop and all! Now this weed whacker has been reinvented 2x since its original form. trimmer

The head is from the motor, the muffler makes up the body and one arm is the piston. I made the legs from the motor shafts. I wanted to make a piece mostly out of one item I had, so other than 3 pieces (the door lock arm, wrench for a hand and the bobbin eyes) – it’s all the Shindaiwa trimmer.

If the people that made this could see the many transformations their work has had and what is has now become, I’m sure they would be happy. I know I am.

Artists for Artists

Posted on 02/02/2016 by Terry Rennert

Created this custom stand for my killer postcards made by Ross Stauss. He’s a graphic artist from Portland, Oregon who brought the gritty, industrial but whimsical nature of my Shopbots to life with his design.

I love supporting other artists and couldn’t wait to get these out at my shows. That way you can take 5 robots home with you while you are trying to decide which actual one speaks to you and needs to be yours. Or perhaps even think about a custom one with special items from your life.

What would you create with the objects around you?

Rural Arts Haven : Shopbots in Franklin County

Posted on 01/29/2016 by Terry Rennert

Overlooking the Village of Shelburne Falls and the Deerfield River, Salmon Falls Gallery is simply a great place to take in the view: inside you are looking at gorgeous works of art, outside the river flowing under The Bridge of Flowers and over Salmon Falls, the gallery’s namesake.

Was visiting Franklin County earlier this week to see Donna Gates, who is the Director/Curator for the gallery owned by Josh Simpson a fellow artist and creator of fantastical glass work, and we finalized a year-long engagement. Yes – that’s right, you can now see my “Shopbots” in this breath-taking place. I’m so thankful to have my work around so many great artists and great people all living/working within 50 miles of the town.

If you find yourself out and about, spend the day in town or stay the weekend, there are so many venues to explore. Shelburne Falls is a walk-able village that is home to more than a dozen art galleries, as well as fine dining, shops devoted to vintage clothing and collectibles, bookstores, a trolley museum and a pharmacy that still has a working soda counter (yum!).

Knack Knack – Who’s There? The Knack!

Posted on 01/27/2016 by Terry Rennert

Sometimes when I’m looking for inspiration I venture out to junk/scrap yards, rummage around in my garage or reach out to friends who might be thinking about discarding items around the house. I have even received packages from clients or people I’ve met shows who thought a particular object might inspire me (just wait to see what I can do with roller skate trucks and fuses!). But the one place I always know will have some inspiration for me is Knack.

Knack, is creative reuse center that collects discarded materials, sorts them, and makes them available for people to use in any creative way they wish. Founded in 2012 by Amber & Macey, it is now owned by Marjory Zaik – that’s her with Joe, the robot I created with materials from the store.

They host Open Studio hours — where you can use all of their tools and selected materials, as well a variety of workshops and classes. Have a mini-maker in your house? They have craft parties that any kids would surely enjoy for a birthday. Hell, I’m even thinking about having mine there this summer – you are never too old to roll-up your sleeves and get crafty.

Visit their Instagram for some ideas or pop on in yourself to check it out, they have collage parties running all this month too. Don’t forget to say hi to Marjory and Joe for me!

Aprons Ahoy!

Posted on 01/25/2016 by Terry Rennert

Thanks to Burns Maxey for the wonderful picture of me and my stylish new gear.

Super stoked about my custom apron designed by Malinda Lovic. We met at the LOOP show over the summer and totally dig what she does.

You might know her better as Ballistic Miss L from the Pair O’ Dice City Rollers, the Roller Derby League of Springfield, MA. That’s her in the front in purple tearing it up!

Had a blast with her spit-balling all the ideas for what might go into mine. She totally nailed it!

Here I am rocking the new apron in the shop giving Buzzer a bit of a buff job for his birthday.

For all of the southpaws out there, have her create a left handed version for you. The chest pockets and waist straps can be flipped, allowing for greater ease of use.

Eastworks Holiday Pop-up

Posted on 01/22/2016 by Terry Rennert

A few months ago I was introduced to Beth McElhiney, a local artist and Master Silversmith recently relocated from the Cape, she shared with me some of the details about a pop-up shop she envisioned at Eastworks.

For those of you who aren’t familiar Eastworks it is the old Stanley building, a large tool manufacturer, that has been re-purposed into a series of studios and art galleries including a live-in residential area for the vibrant community of artists who live or work there. The artists come together at many different times during the year, one of which is at the Eastworks pop-up shop which opened right after Thanksgiving with a variety of local artisans.

I am thrilled that she asked me to be part of the shop this year. We had a great time setting up the shop and she snapped these wonderful pictures of me along with members of my robot army, including “Stanley” made from old parts made in this building.

Pop Up Shop Collage

Stop by to see Beth and catch some of my newest shop bots, including Decker, they’ll be open only for a few more weeks.

terry michael rennert

found object art