Summerfair Cincinnati

We are looking forward to presenting Fire Pit Art at the Summerfair Cincinnati this weekend. Summerfair has been identified as one of the 200 best shows in the United States hosting 400 visual and performing artists. While at the historic Coney Island park on the banks of the Ohio River this Friday, Saturday and Sunday stop by our booth Green Street - 16C or call Fire Pit Rick at (615) 668-3311 for directions.

Rick Wittrig's Olympic Third Rock Fire Pit in Whistler Olympic Village!

Third Rock fire pit has arrived and been installed at the Whistler Olympic Village. It did not really sink in how important the Vancouver Olympic Committee's choice of my art work was to me until I saw it there and I am a humbled by their choice. On the link select photo number 20.

Haiti

For the last nine years a friends of mine Bob and Denise Snyder have been doing mission at Riviere Mancelle in Haiti. They are as close to God as any folks I have ever met and I know that every single penny of donations they recieve have been for the benefit of Haitians. At this time people are flooding out of the cities into the countryside seeking food and shelter and need our help. Bob has given me the opportunity to build rocket stoves (very efficient wood burning stoves) for three schools in that area and they will feed about 1200 kids daily, I greatly appreciate that he chose me to assist them in this way. We have also had the opportunity to sponsor a child for just $70.00 a year. This includes tuition, books and two uniforms and a lunch as long as their funding lasts. So here is the deal. If you want to help these folks and I know you do, there is not better person to intrust with your hard earned dollars. Administration costs are kept at less than one half of one percent. If you do not have funds now its OK these people needed help before this disaster and they will need it for a very long to come. Thanks to you all. Here is the link to The Haiti Project at Rivere Mancelle.

For all that want to keep up with our Haiti project, please go to http://haitiprojectsds.blogspot.com/
Please pray for all
Bob

Bob did not ask me to do this but would appreciate all you can do. If you want to contact him directly here is how: dream@dtccom.net

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Rick Wittrig Functional Steel Artist at FirePitArt.com

We are very excited that the Associated Press has picked up the story and today it was printed in The Tennessean newspaper.

2010 Winter Olympics Third Rock!

Well it has certainly been an emotional time. I left home last week on Wednesday for the village where I grew up. I was head for the ICU bedside of my elderly mother who had been involved in a car crash. She broke and dislocated her arm but the real problem was the pulmonary embolism that formed later. On the seven hour trip I was contacted about confirming the order for the Olympic Third Rock for the Winter 2010 games in Vancouver BC. I explained that the piece was started but not anywhere close to being finshed and that I could not meet there timeline which was essentially - we need this now! Although a great compliment and something I was very eager to do there was no decision to make and I just kept driving. I did however offer to return, if all went well with Mom, Sunday and to work thirty hours over two days to complete the piece. And they agreed! This made me very very happy and put considerable pressure on my performance -as you might expect. Mom made steady improvement over the five days I was there and I felt very comfortable leaving here in the capable supervision of the staff at the hospital and my sister Beverly who is a nurse. I did return and worked diligently and was extremely pleased with the outcome. I modified the fire pit to be capable of accepting a 150,000 gas burner and raised it about ten inches from the normal height plus added a round base plate. It has been crated up (put those carpenter skills to work) and headed out for the Olmpic Village where it will reside at an inner courtyard surrounded by the athlete's residence. If my family and I get security clearances we will go visit and be certain - we will take and share some pictures!

PS Mom is getting stronger and is now back in her home, thanks for your prayers and cards!

Fire Pit Art at The Pigg Pin

Kevin,
Thanks for posting your Fire Pit from Fire Pit Art on your blog The Pigg Pin.

Best,

Rick

Artist's Fire Pit To Be Used At Olympics

LEBANON, Tenn. -- When the Winter Olympics begin in a few weeks, a family from Lebanon will be glowing with pride.

Rick Wittrig, the owner of Fire Pit Art, made a steel globe that will burn brightly at the Olympic Games in Vancouver.

His fire pit will be the centerpiece in the courtyard where the athletes are housed. A 150,000 British Thermal Units flame will burn in the pit. Wittrig said his company started after an accident.

"We wanted a fire pit for our family, and I bought one at a yard sale. I took it home, it fell apart and caught the yard on fire, which was really exciting but not what we wanted. So, I made one for myself and our family," said Wittrig.

When friends saw his fire pit, they wanted one. Wittrig started going to art shows, set up a Web site and the rest is history.

Some of his vendors helped get him in touch with Olympic organizers. It took Wittrig 30 hours to create the fire pit that will be used in Vancouver.

The games begin Feb. 12 with exclusive coverage on Channel 4

Bringing the World to the Olympic Games

A world of thanks Hillary Trenda and the Lebanon Democrat for reporting on the making of the Olympic Third Rock. We are so grateful for this incredible opportunity.

The Olympic Third Rock images

This has been an Olympic week. I have added some images of the Olympic Third Rock in the making at firepitart.com and my facebook fan page.

Fire Pit Artist, Rick Wittrig commissioned by The Vancouver Olympics

Fire Pit Art will ship The Olympic Third Rock on Tuesday to be placed in The Olympic Village for the Athletes of the World to enjoy. Words can not describe our excitement....

Local Artisan's Work Bound for Vancouver's Olympic Village