Use Your Imagination

The Globe Updates

2008-05-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone-

In keeping with the "spring cleaning" theme I mentioned earlier, I took down some of the post-fire photos and replaced them with two slideshows of Mr. I at work. He's just finished a major project for Cool Globes, and his globe will be on display at the National Botanical Gardens and Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C.

One slideshow is of Mr. I and a very special guest: Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, who stopped by to add a piece to the globe and see Mr. I's new house.

The slideshows didn't encode perfectly, so it's better to just click on them and view the photos until I get it worked out.

Mr. I is currently in Las Vegas for a couple weeks doing a workshop with the House of Blues out there, but I'm sure there will be more to report when he returns. Interestingly, if any of you ever get to Vegas, make sure to check out Mr. I's environment at Mandalay Bay.

Spring

2008-05-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

Hello friends-

I know I've been MIA, and my apologies for that. I'm curating a show that opens in Reading in three weeks, so I've been very busy.

I just linked Geoff Gehman's story on the Tribute to the Arts luncheon, which everyone who attended said was a great event.

You'll notice some changes over the next few weeks, as I'll try to move the site from a post-fire one into a more sustained outlet for news on Mr. I, since people have told me they find it useful (by the way, please feel free to contact me if you have any feedback or ideas for the site). I've already taken down the calendar, since our main fundraising efforts are over. Thanks again to everyone who helped out and made them such a success. I'll probably also replace the fire cleanup pictures with new ones as we have them, like the one of Mr. I in the garden at the top.

I was at Mr. I's house yesterday, and I'm going back later today to take some photos. It's in really beautiful condition. The clutter from his last house is gone, and while it will no doubt return in time, for the time being it is a wonderful experience to enjoy all the art and collections with all the space of his new place.

Be well.

Mr. I Updates

2008-05-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, just wanted to tell you that I stopped by Mr. I's this morning, and his house looks amazing. He's really made it into an I-space. The garden is one of his new favorite places to be, and he's really making a fantastic environment out of it, enough so that I changed the picture at the top to a happier one of him in the garden.

Thanks again to Mike Fegley and the rest of the Brew Works people who opened a cask for Mr. I last night. Here's a picture of Mr. I at the event with Walt Garvin of the Lehigh Valley Blues Network:
And, lastly, if anyone wants to join us for the Fine Arts Commission Tribute to the Arts luncheon next week, here's the info: http://www.bfac-lv.org/tributetothearts.htm

First Firkin' TONIGHT 4:30-6:30

2008-05-01T08:52:00.001-07:00

Hey folks-

Just wanted to remind you all to swing by the Bethlehem Brew Works at Happy Hour for the First Firkin' fundraiser for Mr. I. It's a really great show of support by Mike Fegley and the rest of the Brew Works people, and it should be good times.

4:30-6:30 at the BBW, on Broad and Main.

See you there!

In other news:

A wayyyy overdue thanks to Summre and everyone who helped out at the Full Circle art auction. They raised $2,400 for Mr. I, which is just fantastic! Thanks again to everyone there.

And, in case you haven't heard, we have wonderful news from the Bethlehem Fine Arts Council, who is giving Mr. I the Mayor's Award for service to the arts. It's arguably the highest honor they give out. It's only given out every few years, and Mr. I will actually be the first artist to receive the award (the others have been supporters of the arts). That will happen at the Tribute to the Arts Luncheon on May 8.

Okay everyone, come out to the Brew Works tonight and let's make this event a success!

Last Chance for Full Circle Artwork

2008-03-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hello friends.

Just wanted to remind you that the Full Circle Art Sale and Auction at the Fowler Family Center is still going on. You can stop by and purchase art any time from now until the end of March!

I saw Mr. I last night, and he is quickly filling his house up with art. His mother is in town for a while, and it is great to have Margaret (who is quite an artist herself) in Bethlehem with us.

Other than that, there will likely be some events coming up in May. Please let me know if there are any events or announcements on your end, and I'll be sure to keep you posted as we know more.

Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped out so far.

The Intuit Press Release

2008-03-07T13:47:00.001-08:00

Fudraiser Updates

2008-03-06T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hello friends.

Just heard back from Lehigh that the a capella concert in February raised almost $700 for Mr. I. Thanks again so much to ArtsLehigh and the a capella groups for all their hard work.

And... I just got the okay from Intuit to announce that their benefit auction for Mr. I raised more than $12,000! That is really fantastic news. We'll hopefully have the official release soon so I can share it with you.

Stuck in Pittsburgh this weekend, but remember that Friday night is the Full Circle art auction and sale. Check out the details at left or on the flyer I uploaded below.

Thanks so much to everyone who keeps working hard to keep Mr. I inspiring.

The Updated Wish List - Almost Done!

2008-02-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. My apologies for the prolonged absence; I was out of the country for a while.

But I'm back now, and happy to report that we've basically filled Mr. I's house with all of the things he needs! The only things left that would be useful are:

A washing machine
Additional Air Purifiers (he has one, but the smell of fire is still overpowering in his house)
The storage fees for Mr. I's work are also substantial (on the order of $700/month now); if you wish, you can donate some of his storage-rent.

Of course, you can always send checks to: 414 High St. Bethlehem, PA 18018

If you wish to donate, please email me at ContactMrImagination@gmail.com, and we will coordinate a way to get your goods to Mr. I.

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped resupply Mr. I's home.

Mr. I's Old House on HGTV

2008-02-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

For those of you familiar with the HGTV show, "Extreme Homes," it will come as no surprise to know that Mr. I's old house, in Chicago, was profiled in one of the episodes. HGTV has posted a summary of their walkthrough on their site, from episode EXT-608. If anyone has a copy of this episode, or access to one, and can get a digitized version on YouTube, that would be fantastic.

Also, thanks to the Brew Works for their collecting of caps, and hosting of a Mr. I fundraiser May 1st. You can see the details in the calendar on the right, or in the comments section of the previous post.

Heading out tonight to the A Cappella Invitational. Mr. I will likely be joining us. Hope to see
you all there!

More Fundraising!

2008-02-09T12:48:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Daryl for his Morning Call blog post on the FUNHOUSE fundraiser. Mr. I told me they'd raised about $900, which is fantastic! Also thanks to the Hawthorne House in Bethlehem, which will now start collecting bottle caps for Mr. I.

I visited with Mr. I yesterday, and he has gotten his email and Internet set up again, so he's back online. He also approved a trifold we've made up with some information. I'll be at the Allentown Brew Works handing some out tomorrow for the Lehigh Valley Blues Network event. Here's a JPEG of it:

Please feel free to use it at your events, but please don't change it without asking. We'll try to get updates up every now and then, because obviously things are changing very quickly.

In fact, the trifold is already outdated, because our friends at CAB just announced a new fundraiser for Feb. 28. Here's the release:

In our continued support of community arts, The Community Artists of Bethlehem are proud to announce the partnership with The Paul Thiessen Band in "I Love: Paul Thiessen and his Big Band" a fund raising event to further benefit Mr. Imagination through his time of hardship of losing his home and beloved pets due to a house fire on January 20th, 2008.

It is our hope to alleviate some financial burden Gregory Warmack is enduring due to this unforeseeable act as well as demonstrate community involvement through the arts to promote healing and understanding to the citizens of our great city.

Paul Thiessen has collected the areas best horn players, mixed in the areas best rhythm section and charted a bunch of original songs to create, "Paul Thiessen and his Big Band". The recipe is sure to please the palette as we join them February 28, 2008 at 9pm at The Wildflower Cafe and Gallery (located at 316 South New St. Bethlehem 18015). The admission to this event is $5 Per Person and is an all age event. All the proceeds collected at the door will go directly to Mr. Imaginations Relief Fund.

We are thrilled to Sponsor this exciting event with local favorites as The Paul Thiessen Band who have partnered with CAB several times before in community benefit efforts and share our passion of the arts and community support. Success is a puzzle and the people are the pieces. It is our hope that you will share this information through media channels and/or any other parties you deem appropriate.

To visit CAB, please visit....
www.myspace.com/c.a.b.
and to hear The Paul Thiessen Band please visit....

www.myspace.com/paulthiessenband

Fundraising Updates

2008-02-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

I spoke with Lisa at Touchstone Theatre, and their "Fresh Voices" show raised over $325 for Mr. I this weekend! Thanks to everyone in the community who came out for the show.

Also, just added our first Chicago-area event, a fundraiser by the folks at Intuit:

Please join Intuit February 28th from 5-8:00pm as we host a fundraising benefit for Mr. Imagination. This event will include a silent auction, video and slideshows of Mr. Imagination's work. Food and wine has been generously donated by Swim Cafe and Barefoot Wine. Silent auction will end at 7:00pm with all proceeds to benefit the Mr. Imagination relief fund.

Intuit will be accepting donatations to the silent auction until February 26th. We are also asking any individuals who may have photos of Mr. Imagination or his work to email them to intuit@art.org for inclusion in the presentation. For further information about this fundraiser or how you can become involved, please contact Heather Holbus at 312.243.9088 or heather@art.org.

Thanks, also, to the folks at Eskandalo Hair, who collected $50 and a stereo so far for Mr. I. Every little bit helps!

Mr. I continues to get settled in his temporary lodgings. His new computer has come, and he'll be connected to the Internet soon. We're currently seeing if we can get together a limited number of slightly burnt items that will available for sale as part of the fundraising efforts. Also, if anyone has an air purifier or two kicking around, that would really help out his new apartment. Thanks, as always, to everyone.

Sorry This Is Late

2008-02-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I meant to post this last week, but blogger messed me up. Wanted to update a couple things:

Daryl Nerl at the Morning Call added a blog post about Mr. I and the recovery efforts.
Summre Inama sent this digital image of the Full Circle Benefit:

New Fundraiser details

2008-01-30T12:51:00.000-08:00

Touchstone Theatre's efforts this weekend

Each year, Touchstone Theatre presents the solo and ensemble work of its Apprentice Class in Fresh Voices; this year, we wish to honor and support Mr. Imagination, an internationally accomplished and beloved artist, by donating half our ticket sales from this showcase of emerging artists to him. The Southside of Bethlehem is home to many creative people, but we are particularly honored to share this home with him and saddened by his loss.

Fresh Voices performs Feb. 1st and 2nd at 8pm, at Touchstone Theatre (www.touchstone.org), 321 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, Pa.
Ticket prices are Pay What You Will.

To reserve tickets please call: 610-867-1689.

C.A.B. Art Show Benefit

Bethlehem resident, Summre Inama, has come to CAB will a wonderful ideaof an Art Show Benefit to aid in Mr. Imaginations' rescue effort. All proceeds from the contributed artwork will go straight to his relief. It will be held at The Southside Fowler Family Center (aka NCC), the same location as our past "One" exhibit. It will take place on the firstfriday of March, the 7th, 6pm-10pm with a closing reception, in the form of an art auction from whats left, on March 28th.

If you'd like to donate art, or know someone who does, please contact Summre
- 484-664-0617 or holisticshine@yahoo.com

Fundraising Events

2008-01-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

A few benefit events for your calendar:

"Jivin' For Mr. I" (facebook event link)

Feb. 7, 10 p.m.

FUNHOUSE, 5 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, PA

$5, ages 21+
Butterjive is a dynamic, jam genre musical group that will be donating the proceeds to their next Funhouse performance to the relief efforts of Mr. Imagination.

4th Annual A Capella Invitational

Feb. 16
Lamberton Hall, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
At this event, Lehigh invites three student a cappella
groups from various universities to perform with us in a long night of
music and fun- and we have excellent attendance each year! This year
we would like to donate all proceeds to the Mr. Imagination relief
fund.

Multi-band Celebration

March 1, 10 p.m.

FUNHOUSE, 5 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, PA

The culminating event of the FUNHOUSE'S grassroots fundraising efforts throughout the month of February.

First Friday

March 7
Details TBA
First Friday events are a monthly tradition in the South Side community, and one is being planned with Mr. I in mind. We'll keep you posted.

Thanks to Silagh White for keeping us in the loop.

Chicago Area Donations

2008-01-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

For Mr. I's many Chicago-area friends interested in helping out, donations can be sent to either Judy Saslow or Sherry Siegel. You can make checks out to "Gregory Warmack."

Judy A. Saslow Gallery
300 W. Superior
Chicago, IL 60610
312.943.0530
jsaslow@corecomm.net

Sherry Siegel
28 W. Chestnut St.
Chicago, IL 60610

I spent much of today helping salvage more of Mr. I's art from the old house, and moving some more furniture into the new apartment. It is amazing how quickly Mr. Imagination can inhabit a space and make it distinctly his; the apartment is already easily recognizable as an "I" home.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped so far, and everyone who has sent along their good wishes.

Photographs

2008-01-26T06:47:00.000-08:00

At left you can now see four slideshows of photographs of Mr. I, his house, and the community recovery effort.

You may feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes, but please let us know if plan to do so, and credit either www.misterimagination.com or the photographer, Greg Heller-LaBelle.

Mr. I Post-Fire FAQ

2008-01-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

Frequently Asked Questions for the Mr. Imagination Fire Recovery

Q: I'm still unclear as to what happened. How did this occur?

A: Mr. Imagination (Gregory Warmack) was in Winter Park, Florida on Sunday, January 20, 2008 when he received a phone call from a neighbor at 3:30 a.m., telling him that his house in Bethlehem, PA was on fire. The fire department arrived on the scene at about 4 a.m. and 46 City of Bethlehem firefighters fought the fire until 2 that afternoon.

Mr. Imagination's beloved dog, Pharoh, along with his six cats, Diamond, Shadow, Tuxedo, Love and Peace, died in the fire. [Ed. - reporters, please note all spellings are correct as is.]

The fire destroyed most of the first floor, almost all of the second floor, and the entire third floor of the house. The investigation from the Fire Department has not been released, but the Fire Department does not suspect foul play.

Q: Where is Mr. I living?

A: A personal friend of Diane LaBelle and Norman Girardot is giving Mr. I a house rent-free until May.

Q: How can I get in touch with Mr. I?

A: Mr. I still has the same cell phone number, and will soon have his land phone number working again. You can send mail to him in care of Diane and Norman at:

414 High St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018

You can also reach him via this email address: ContactMrImagination@gmail.com

Q: What can I do to help?

A: There are fundraising efforts already underway to help the recovery effort. Events will be posted on this Web site as we find out about them, and if you or anyone you know is planning an event, please let us know and we will post it here.

If you wish to send some financial support, you can send it to Mr. I c/o the address above. Checks can be made out either to "Gregory Warmack" or "Diane LaBelle." We will of course let you know when we receive your donation.

Q: What about goods and gift cards?

A: Given the diversity of things needed and the fluid nature of the situation, gift cards are not the most helpful thing to send. Please make a check out, as above, for the same amount, and it will be much more helpful.

Please see the list above.

Q: I am a member of the press, and I want to talk to someone about Mr. Imagination and the fire.

A: You can call Greg Heller at 412.337.2629.

Mr. Imagination Update

2008-01-24T15:40:00.000-08:00

Hello friends.

As many of you know, Mr. Imagination's house in Bethlehem, PA suffered a terrible fire on the morning of Sunday, January 20th. Thankfully, Mr. I was in Florida, and no one was hurt, but Mr. I tragically lost his dog, Pharoh, and his six cats in the blaze, along with a massive number of his artworks and collections.

Here is an update on Mr. Imagination:

Dozens of people came out to help Mr. Imagination salvage art and valuables from his house. The outpouring of support has been one of the truly great stories in the midst of this very challenging time. You will soon be able to see pictures of the cleanup effort on this site.
A close personal friend of Diane LaBelle and Norman Girardot has generously let Mr. I stay in a new apartment until the end of May. Since it is a temporary situation, it is still best to send his mail c/o Norman and Diane, at: 414 High St. Bethlehem, PA, 18018.
Ongoing efforts to join Mr. I in continuing his inspirational work and life are being conducted on many fronts. Please check back here for ways you can contribute.

Once again, thank you to all who have helped the effort, and to all who are lending support in this trying time.