AHA presents a special award to local community members who exemplify the creative spirit AHA endeavors to foster. Some of our recent winners are below.
AHA's - Giving Wings to Creativity Award - 2015
AHA Honored Tina Baine his year with our Giving Wing to Creativity Award
AHA member, Tina Baine was recently presented with Aromas Hills Artisans' " Giving Wings to Creativity" award. Tina was the person who saw the original "Big Fish" on a trip to south Korea. She recognized how well this idea could work to involve the whole community of Aromas in a public art project for Town Square Park. She spearheaded this wonderful project and did much behind the scenes work. Since Tina is a major gardener, her award ( created by Sandee Adams and using ceramic fish created by Sally Diggory) was a large mosaic flower pot complete with an underwater scene and fish circling the pot. When the award was presented, a humorous fishy touch was added as both Sally and Sandy came on stage wearing diving masks, snorkel and flippers.
AHA's Giving Wings to Creativity Award - 2012
AHA Honored Paul Fleischman in 2012 with our Giving Wing to Creativity Award
Giving Wings to Creativity Award presented in 2012 to author, and long time Aromas resident Paul Fleischman. Paul came in fifth in the world for the Hans Christian Anderson Award for Children's Literature. This prestigious award is based on the author's total body of work.. Paul championed the creative environment of Aromas recently, And that just as the book Blessed Unrest
catalogs the vast network of people working on myriad aspects of the
environmental challenge, there's a similar low-profile web of people devoted to
creativity, beauty, and imagination, its many nodes and strands indicated by
little Aromas's long roster of artists. And that I'm honored to count
myself among you.
Giving Wings to Creativity Award - 2011
The AHA Giving Wings to Creativity Award was presented to Paul Burns, October 26, 2011
By Joyce Oroz It’s not everyday the Aromas Hills Artisans give an award to a local business owner. In fact the GIVING WINGS TO CREATIVITY award was created because of Paul Burns, owner and President of Fireclay Tile located in San Jose and Aromas. Today I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Burns and touring his Fireclay factory in Aromas where old toilets, recycled windows and granite dust are magically turned into beautiful ceramic tiles.
The magic happens when the oddest of materials, the sharpest minds and excellent equipment come together. It’s the “green magic” we’ve all been searching for. Who knew it would be found in old toilets? In this case, 1,700 donated toilets from the Monterey Presidio, but don’t worry, replacements are on the way.
Linda Bjornson, president of the Aroma Hills Artisans, presented a handmade wooden box (crafted by Daniel Smith, AHA member) to Paul Burns, owner and mastermind of Fireclay Tiles. It was a joyful moment for all and all because fourteen years ago Mr. Burns had an idea. He wanted to make tiles out of porcelain toilets. He worked at the idea for a year before he found a way to successfully incorporate ground up toilets with other ingredients to make tiles. Now his Debris Series tiles are 70% recycled material.
Mr. Burns ordered a special kiln from Wisconsin. It arrived in four boxcars—yes, it’s that big! How hot is 1,800 degrees? He says his biggest expense is labor. Gosh, do we still make things in America? YES WE DO!
Paul’s thirty employees turn out thousands of tiles ranging in size from one inch by one inch to fix-foot long solid counter top slabs. The tiles come in a full range of textures, shapes and vibrant colors. The intricate, Italian and Mexican style tiles are hand painted by ladies with steady hands and good temperaments.
The process is beyond interesting. It was wonderful to see American enterprise in action. Hat’s off to Paul Burns.