Drumbeat orchestrated the concept, design, and implementation of the Stapleton Discovery Center, the starting point for the 2011 HGTV Green Home Tour. Alongside Strada, Ideations, Legwork, and Battery 621’s own, The Public Works, Drumbeat helped Forest City Stapleton connect with its audience in a unique experiential launch pad that is surely worth a visit. Check it out while you are there consider touring HGTV Leed Platinum certified Green Home. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.

Let’s face it: The snowsports industry has seen tremendous growth over the past 10 years. New brands have popped up, competing with the big dogs that have been in the industry since the beginning. So that begs the question, what does it take to be unique in a crowded industry? One of Battery621′s very own tenants, Icelantic Skis, has figured out a way to stick out in the industry. It all boils to their Colorado roots and the construction of their skis. Watch the video below:

Icelantic: Handmade in Colorado, USA

Icelantic is committed to local processes and partnerships for many reasons. Service, convenience and a belief in supporting the local economy are important but are really just the icing on the cake. The primary reason for our local commitment is QUALITY! Our boards are Never Summer Factory Built. Never Summer Industries has been perfecting sandwich construction for over 15 years and are known throughout the industry for their bombproof durability. Every product made in the NS facility is handcrafted with skill, care and attention to detail. Combine this with Icelantic’s truly unique designs and top-of-the-line materials, and you have the most durable, innovative and exciting ski on the market! Icelantic believes that high-quality, locally handcrafted products are just plain better. Our comprehensive two-year warranty is a testament to the confidence we have in our products and we know you will feel the same way as soon as you try a pair of Icelantics for yourself.

Photo courtesy of Michael Calanan

On May 5th, Artists Creative Agency and ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) hosted a “Photographer’s Self Promotion Pep Talk” at Battery 621.

By all accounts, the event was a success! There were over 40 attendees present. Angela Mateus, with Artists Creative Agency, facilitated discussions between those in attendance who shared advice with one another about the self-promotion and social media tactics they find most effective.

Everyone walked away with a packet of information and offers from all of the generous sponsors. A lucky few won valuable door prizes to help them in their promotional efforts.

A special thanks goes out to Kelly Mossoni at Spyder, who was so gracious and helpful with providing a space for the event and other wonderful resources. Additional thanks go out to the other event sponsors, Agency Access, Blink Bid, Miller’s Lab, Icon Books, Insight, GAIAM, 8888ArtLook and to Biscuits and Berries for the delicious Fajita Bar.

We look forward to hosting more events here in the future!

Last week’s First Friday event at Battery621 was our biggest yet. The event saw a lot of new artwork from many sources, new live music, and tons of fun as always. First, the Spyder showroom transformed into its first art installation, showing the work of over 10 native Colorado artists. Spearheaded by metalworking genius and Evergreen native Glenn Vogel, the installation showcases many artistic mediums. Guests saw paintings, metalwork, and enameled pieces, just to name a few.

In the common areas, Icelantic’s artist Travis Parr came in from California to display never before seen artwork here at 621. Guests and Icelantic fans have come to know and love Parr’s artwork on Icelantics skis, but this First Friday was all about his paintings. The pieces he brought looked great, including a pattern he created for a 686 outfit and a custom Icelantic surfboard.

Lastly, live music was provided by the sounds of Vox de Ville. The band featured one of 621′s own, Dave Boger from Jiberish clothing. Dave started the night off spinning beats on the Spyder stage, transitioned one the keys with Vox de Ville, and then back to the tables for the rest of the night. 621′s guests were more than pleased, and Dave and Vox’s music capped off a great First Friday at 621.

Battery621 will be back for June’s First Friday, complete with new art and new music. Hope to see you then!

Photos courtesy of Kara Primomo Photography

We are proud to announce that we will be hosting the Rise In The West fundraiser for Japan on May 14th from 7-10pm. Put on by Ricochet Denver, the event aims to raise funds for those in Japan affect by the tsunami and earthquakes. See below for the full press release and event poster.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2011
Denver artists and creative entrepreneurs present “Rise in the West” fundraiser for Japan Tragedy

Contacts:
Jake Rishavy | (720)231-6542 | jake@ricochetdenver.com
Patrick Ryan Corrigan | (303) 910-9213 | thetiredpirate@gmail.com

DENVER—Online pre-registration opens today for Rise in the West, a visual art- and action sports-based fundraiser created by a group of Denver artists and creative professionals with personal and business connections to the people of Japan.

Rise in the West, taking place Saturday, May 14, from 7 to 10 p.m., will feature a silent auction of works from a number of local artists and creative professionals, as well as a variety of products donated by local businesses. Attendees will enjoy samplings of local craft brews and food from a number of local mobile food trucks. All proceeds from the event will benefit the American Red Cross in its efforts to provide relief to the people of northern Japan affected by tsunami and earthquakes.

The event, spearheaded by local artist Patrick Ryan Corrigan, AKA The Tired Pirate, will be held in partnership with a number of local creative entrepreneurs at Battery621 at 621 Kalamath Street, in the Denver Santa Fe Arts District.

Event space, auction items and promotional support have been generously donated by Battery 621 resident companies and friends including well-known action sports, lifestyle and media brands Jiberish Clothing Company, Icelantic, The Public Works, Spyder, and many others. Services ranging from chiropractic sessions to beauty services will be available for bidding. Artworks will include original works and prints from local artists including Corrigan, Kurt Redeker and Knew Conscious, Tripps Prints, Digital Mavrik, AugArt Design (the big art division of Eye Candy Graphics), and many others.

Artist print services are being generously donated by Denver-based visual media company, Harmonic Media.

New artist and product sponsors are being announced daily from today until the event date on the event’s Facebook page.

For Corrigan—who has family living fewer than 60 miles from the Fukushima nuclear power plant—the cascading tragedies that followed an 8.9 magnitude quake off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 hit far too close to home.

“My family and I have an intensely personal connection to Japan, and we were devastated to hear of the recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster,” said Corrigan, who creates locally under the moniker Tired Pirate. “Because of my own ties to the area and those of my friends— many of whom have travelled to Japan for various action sports—the tragedies of recent weeks have inspired in me an intense desire to help.
“This desire, along with my passion for our thriving Denver art scene, has inspired me to create an exciting event that would not only raise money for the beautiful country and people of Japan, but also shed a light on the Denver’s growing cultural movement,” he added.

The event will feature live music, craft brews from official beer sponsor, Fort Collins, Colo.- based Odell Brewing Co., and food from a number of local mobile food trucks. Rise in the West is currently soliciting additional event sponsors and product donations. Registration for the event ($16 online in advance, $20 at the door) is now available online HERE. For additional details, please visit www.riseinthewest.org or www.facebook.com/riseinthewest.

The Public Works, Icelantic, and Battery621 represented each other and our unified mission at the Sports Career Fair during Sports Career Day, an event sponsored by Denver Public Schools, Denver Parks and Recreation and Goodwill Industries. The event was held at Denver’s Auraria Campus, with the intention of the fair to expose young people to careers related to sports that go beyond professional athletics and coaching.

This marked the first time that Battery621 and its tenants were able to give back to the community in a unified effort. The Public Works was part of a speaking panel which gave insight into sports careers and how young people can begin planning for a career in sports. Afterward, The Public Works teamed up with Icelantic and Battery621 to provide further information to interested students about the great things going on in the snowsports industry, as well as the synergies happening on a daily basis at Battery621.

More more information on Battery621, check out the rest of our website. If you or anyone you know is interested in having those involved with Battery621 speak at a sports or business related event, please email info@battery621.com.

Progress on Battery 621 is coming along at a rapid fire pace, which hopefully explains the lack of updates. Our last (and only post) thus far was 2 months ago to the day. Since that time, many, many important things have happened at 621. Here’s a brief list:

- Drywall and painting is complete
- Electrical is 95% finished
- WIFI and internet is active
- Wink Inc. has moved in and started doing business
- Icelantic is prepping their space with beetle kill walls, custom desks made from Boulder county wood, and lots of fresh colors
- The Public Works has been working tirelessly on Spyder’s two floors of showroom space (see picture)
- A BBQ was held today to celebrate the buildings near completion and to thank all the crews who worked over these past few months
- And many more items that will be talked about in the coming weeks and months

Here are some photos of the space and happenings at 621:

Main Spyder showroom, beetle kill ceiling

One of Icelantic’s offices

Kitchen and eating area

Today’s BBQ – photo by Kara Primomo