Watch the Deviled Egg in action!
BattleBots is Back on Discovery starting Friday, May 11th a 8:00pm, and Wednesday, May 16th at 9:00pm on Science Channel. Also see them streaming live on Discovery Go!
Obtainium Works on TV!
May 16, 2018
UPDATE! OUR FIRST FIGHT WILL BE SHOWN ON SCIENCE CHANNEL ONLY ON MAY 16 AT 9PM
The Vallejo Times Herald recently revealed Obtainium Works' recent forays onto national TV!
Not just one, but TWO shows:
"Jay Leno's Garage" 2018: current season will have a special episode on Steampunk cars. Shannon and Kathy O'Hare, along with Obtainium Works' alumni Kimric Smythe, brought Kimric's Kristy's Flyer (a real, home-made steam-powered vehicle), and the Steampunk Pirate Ship (originally built for recently deceased crew member Gregory Nett). The episode will premiere some time in May 2018.
"Battlebots" 2018: Obtainium Works teamed up with Recoil Robotics (Zak Hassanein, a local builder), to compete in the reboot of the famous fighting robot TV show with the "Deviled Egg" battlebot. Shannon O'Hare, Kathy O'Hare, Stephen Jacobson, and Angie the mascot dog went to Long Beach in August with "Steamy," the robot carrier bot to transport the Deviled Egg when it is not in the fighting arena. Obtainium Works also did the brass decor on the "Deviled Egg." Also, the crew provided technical support and a wacky Steampunk ambiance to the team, because Hollywood loves stuff like that. Check out our info page on our website!
Obtainium Works’ Shannon O-’Hare, left, helps Vallejo artist Jean Cherie, center, evaluate gun parts gathered from a recent gun buyback sponsored by the Robby Poblete Foundation. The artist is one of several chosen to create pieces of art for the foundation’s Art of Peace project. The Phoenix in the photo is constructed by O’Hare using metal scrap from Obtainium and cartridge brass donated from local gun range. Photo: MIKE JORY/ROBBY POBLETE FOUNDATION
Robby Poblete Foundation Earns Big Grant
The Robby Poblete Foundation recently received a big grant to From California Wellness to pursue their goals of reducing gun violence. Obtainium Works is assisting the Foundation to gather artists and resources for their Art of Peace project. Article Link:
Obtainium Works Featured in "Jay Leno's Garage"
Kathy & Shannon O'Hare and Kimric Smythe will be guests on an upcoming episode of Jay Leno's Garage which features the Airship, Kristie's Flyer, the Wine Trike, and a number of other steampunk designed vehicles from other fabricators. They just returned from filming this week and the show should air sometime in April or May. We will update you as we get firm details. They had a wonderful time with Jay and his crew who were very professional and made them feel at home among all the steam powered vehicles and engines.
2018 Obtainium Work Schedule!
Off to more adventures! The crew of Obtainium Works are building new vehicles and running several events!
- March 17: The 6th Anniversary Fundraiser, Dinner and a Show! Featuring a new mystery play!
- July 21-22: Obtainium Cup and Art Car Jam
- November 10-11: Vallejo Open Studios
- December 1: 9th Annual Mad Hatter Parade & Festival
"Art of Peace": Transforming Guns into Art
Obtainium Works hosted a guns into art day at the shop. Here is the text from KTVU's "Bay Area People" Facebook page:
The #ArtofPeace project was started in memory of Robby Poblete who lost his life to gun violence in Vallejo. His mother faced with overwhelming grief started the The Robby Poblete Foundation to turn tragedy into hope.
The exhibit will open in the spring and is all about transformation. Artists have now been chosen to take confiscated weapons and turn them into pieces that will inspire and educate. For many this journey is personal.
Some of the weapons came from a gun buyback with the Vallejo Police Department. The Richmond Police Department also donated confiscated weapons and @alameda county is also signing up to get involved. Thanks as well to Omnific Pictures Director TJ Walkup for help with video for this story.
Shannon O'Hare being interviewed by KTVU news with the leaders of the Robby Poblete Foundation.
Vintage News: Steampunk triumphs in the Neverwas Haul
Found this recent article about our famous house:
The Vintage News: Steampunk triumphs in the Neverwas Haul, a Victorian house on wheels inspired by science fiction novels
This article is mostly accurate, and contains some new photos not seen before.
SFGATE: Makers, painters, steampunk bohemians all flock to Vallejo’s eclectic art scene
The San Francisco Chronicle stopped by the other day and interviewed the crew of Obtainium Works as part of a larger feature about the growing arts scene in Vallejo. Much of the verbage came straight from our website!
SFGATE: Makers, painters, steampunk bohemians all flock to Vallejo’s eclectic art scene
http://m.sfgate.com/news/article/Makers-painters-steampunk-bohemians-all-flock-12285826.php#21
2017 Obtainium Cup and Art Car Jam!
Once Again, the local newspaper covers our wacky little adventures!
Vallejo Times-Herald, "Art Car Jam kicks off Obtainium weekend in Vallejo
The London Speedster
Obtainium Works is going to MAKER FAIRE!
Once again, Obtainium Works is a featured Maker at the 2017 MAKER FAIRE! Come see us on May 20-21 and our latest creation: the London Speedster! (any resemblance to another contraption is pure coincidence!)
Happy 2017! New Events!
The new event schedule is now available for 2017!
April 14: 5th Anniversary party at the Empress Theatre! (Premiere of "Vintage Tomorrows" documentary featuring Obtainium Works!)
May 19-21: Maker Faire at San Mateo Fairgrounds
July 4th: Parade in downtown Vallejo
July 22-23: Obtainium Cup & Art Car Jam
August 28-Sept 1: Burning Man in Nevada
October 28-29: Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
December 2: Mad Hatter Holiday Parade
All events are in Vallejo, California unless otherwise posted.
As usual, the shop is open on Sundays for work days and tours.
2016-12-04: VALLEJO TIMES HERALD, "7TH ANNUAL MAD HATTER FESTIVAL TO DELIGHT ON SATURDAY"
The Mad Hatter Festival in Vallejo gets “curiouser and curiouser” every year.
The Festival is an amalgamation of all sorts of creative expression, from art cars, to singers, to dancing Spanish horses doing the polka; to a 12-foot high, 20-foot long mechanical rhinoceros that shoots flames out of its tusk.
Oh and Santa, of course.
2016-11-28: Vallejo Times Herald, "Obtainium Works featured in Mad Hatter Parade"
Come check out the whimsy!
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/lifestyle/20161125/obtainium-again-whole-hog-in-mad-hatter-festival
Haunted Halloween Madness Returns!
OH NO! NOT ANOTHER HALLOWEEN SHOW!
Yes! That's right! For two nights only! It's a scary variation on the classic Sherlock Holmes story: "The Hound of the Hibernians, A Murder Mystery" will shock you and possibly get slobbered upon! Ewww! Plus if you arrive early, there will be a 1920's themed SpookEasy Haunted House for the whole family!
Dates: October 29 & 30th, 2016
Times:
Haunted House: 4:00pm to 7:30pm
Dinner and Show: 7:30pm to 11:00pm (Showtime: 9:00pm)
Show only: 9:00pm to 11:00pm
Price:
Haunted House: $5.00 (pay at the door)
Appetizers, Cocktails, Dinner, and Show: $35
Show only: $15
Tickets: https://www.paypal.me/ObtainiumWorks
JUNE 25TH, 2016: BOB SAMPAYAN FOR MAYOR TIKI FUNDRAISER!
Obtainium Works likes Bob! We want to support his bid for Vallejo Mayor this election season by throwing him a fundraiser party! In proper Obtainium Style, of course! So put on your loudest Hawaiian shirt and join the luau at the TIKI PARTY FUNDRAISER at Obtainium Works Studio!
Date: June 25th, 2016
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Obtainium Works, 510 Pennsylvania Ave., Vallejo, CA
Admission: $35 suggested donation
- Chow on grilled Mahi-Mahi, fried rice, finger munchies and more.
- Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a week in Hawaii.
- Be there for the Diversitycab art car unveiling.
Image from Vintage Tomorrows.
2016-05-17 Steampunk Documentary "Vintage Tomorrows" picked up by Samuel Goldwin
Holy Cow! The steampunk documentary "Vintage Tomorrows," produced and directed by Byrd McDonald and host by our very own Mr. James Carrott, has been picked up by Samuel Goldwyn film for global distribution!
"The movie includes a collection of Steampunk’s pioneering voices, including writers William Gibson, Bruce Sterling, China Miéville, Cherie Priest, Gail Carriger; graphic novelists Paul Guignon and Anina Bennett; musicians Abney Park and Erica “Unwoman” Mulkey; and artists Shannon O’Hare and the Neverwas Haul gang."
https://variety.com/2016/film/news/steampunk-documentary-vintage-tomorrows-comic-con-1201776766/
Damn the blinkies! Full Steam Ahead!
Flaskback: 2009
Here are some classic photos of the Neverwas crew plus other steampunk folks taken by the talented Michael Rauner in 2009.
Look at these youngsters!
Flashback: 2010
Found this photographer's website which covered the 2010 Neverwas Haul Fundraiser for Burning Man at the Shipyard in Berkeley. Ahh, those were fun times!
2016-03-26 "FEAST OF THE TENTACLE": Obtainium Works 5th Anniversary Celebration
Come celebrate the madness of contraptions!
It's 5th celebration of the opening of Obtainium Works in Vallejo! Enjoy the music, fanfare, food and drink for only $35/pp.
Special guests -
Litz the SF Opera Lady, O Happy Dagger, and DJ Grego with Karaoke until late into the evening! There also will be fire! <FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!>
Where: Obtainium Works, 510 Pennsylvania St., Vallejo, CA
When: Saturday, March 26, 2016 (6pm – Midnight)
Price: $35/per person; over 21 only
For more information, call 925-254-7643
*Note: please do not leave valuables in your vehicles
Drone Video of Neverwas Haul at Duck Club
Thanks to Sparky Jewell for his expert drone videography for capturing the crew assembling the Neverwas Haul at its temporary home at the Duck Club, just outside of Vallejo.